Pineapple Chutney

A tangy yet sweet mix of pineapple and hot pepper great for topping meats and seafood As much as we love eating our main meals there are also some amazing sides and condiments that puts a dish over the top. Today I give you this delicious pineapple chutney . Sweet pineapple, cooked down with some hot peppers to give you a sweet, tangy and spicy condiment that you would want to put on everything. And I mean everything This pineapple chutney is a perfect addition to just about anything. I have tried it. Yes I have tried it. It works great on grilled chicken or seafood, but I've also added this on top of my stewed chicken , jerk chicken sandwiches  and even my toasted bread with cheese. Chutneys are so easy to make. Just grab some fruits, add some spices, juices and leave to let the flavors blend. You can easily replace pineapple with peaches or apricots. We commonly make mango chutney to eat with roti or just as a snack. Tambran (tamarind) chutney is also another

Aloo and Veggie Pie

A handmade pie with a crispy shell, filled with soft seasoned potato or vegetables Let's discuss comfort food. You know those dishes that you smile thinking about it before you even start to eat it? Those dishes that invoke excitement at the thought of eating it. Today's post focuses on one of those. A set of pies that you do not want to share with your cousin even though you know your mom called her to let her know she's sending her some aloo pies. These potato filled pies with the crunchy outside made your mom the star for the day when she made these. Today I will introduce you to a comfort food for us in Trinidad and Tobago: aloo pies and its cousin veggie pies.

Caribbean Cow Heel Soup

A hearty, savory soup filled with provisions, meats and dumplings. Is there something that is a part of your country's culture that you do not indulge in? I am sure there is. As it relates to me and food, there are some dishes that I do NOT touch. Those dishes are very few and far between, but there are some. I have mentioned time and time again, that Saturday in the Caribbean is "Soup Day". Without fail, there would be soup being made. Saturday soup is a hearty one, full of all types of ground provisions, all types of meats and finished off with dumplings upon dumplings upon dumplings. This Saturday soup is one I stay away from for two reasons.

Djon Djon - Haitian Rice

A savory rice dish filled with deep, intense flavor. You are getting ready to prepare dinner and what's the most important thing you think of "to eat" first? For me usually, it's what meat do I want, then I throw in whatever side I feel for in the mix. But this rice is more than "a throw in" side dish. I promise you that this deeply flavored mushroom rice, also known as "Haitian rice" rice can steal the show.

Caribbean Pone

A spicy, mouthwatering pudding like baked dessert made from cassava, sweet potato and pumpkin. Are you ready to dive into this kinda pudding but not a cake goodness? A few posts back I mentioned that in the Caribbean we used ground provision for a lot of things. If you are wondering what "ground provision" is I gave some explanation in the pigeon peas soup post . We eat provision as a side, include it in our soups or make dishes with them being the main ingredient. Pone is one of those dishes that we use it as a the main ingredient. It is made from either a variety of ground provisions (Cassava (yuca), sweet potato and even corn) or a mixture of them. This is a popular Caribbean baked treat.

Spiced Rum Balls

A sweet, dense chocolate ball  infused with a dark spiced rum It's that time of the year again when everyone is out to show their significant other that they are loved. Valentine's Day is here!! If you are anything like me and think with one-half of your brain that this day is just a commercial stunt, but two days before the day comes you decide you want to fall into the celebrations, then these spiced rum balls are the choice. These chocolatey balls are a great Valentine's Day savior.

Caribbean Herbal Tea

A delicious tea, rich in antioxidants and vitamins using traditional herbs and spices Head spinning, sinus aching, tummy trouble? 10 out of 10 times, in a Caribbean household someone is going to tell you to "Go drink some Tea". West Indians love to drink tea. We are especially drawn to making our tea from whatever fresh herbs and spices we can easily pick from right outside our windows. Nothing beats steeping fresh herbs and getting its numerous benefits while being delicious. Popularly known to us as "bush teas", these caffeine free teas are also known for their native uses.