Trini Ochro Rice

This is a traditional one pot dish that Trinis enjoy.  Ochro Rice can be made with salt fish, pigtail or vegetarian style but should always be made with coconut milk to give it that rich Trini flavour. 

It is a meal that can be eaten anytime of the week so remember this dish when next you are late from work and need something quick to prepare for dinner.

Restaurant Review #2: The Original Breakfast Shed

Femmes Du Chalez; The Original Breakfast Shed, came into existence in 1936 because of the efforts of Audrey Layne Jeffers, founder of the Coterie of Social Workers, women’s movement activist, and her supporter Capt. Arthur Andrew Cipriani. The latter was Mayor of Port-of-Spain in the 1930s.  

The idea behind the Breakfast Shed according to Jeffers was to improve the conditions under which workers on the wharf ate.  It eventually became the spot for dock workers and the blue collar set as it transitioned over the years from its charitable beginnings into a full-fledged enterprise.  It is now a cherished Trinidad and Tobago institution. 

Trini Style Saltfish Buljol

You know this was coming.  You must have the buljol for that coconut bake!

Trinis also enjoy and love this with dumplings, boiled green figs (green bananas), boiled breadfruit or some good blue food (dasheen and other provisions). Try them all, they are all incredible dishes.  Without further ado, here's my version of this classic!

You need:

Trinidad Coconut Bake

A Trini breakfast favourite is coconut bake with saltfish buljol.  My mother made this regularly when I was growing up (delicious). But nothing could compare to a piece of warm coconut bake cut into two and covered with only butter. Try it and you will see what I mean. 

It’s a basic bread recipe really but with the added goodness of grated coconut and coconut milk. Once again though, many Trinis today opt to purchase this bake in bakeries across the country to save time.  Homemade is always better and the kids will love it and you will save money.  I know my kids love it!

True Trinis use the milk extracted from the dry coconut rather than buying canned coconut milk so try not to substitute on this one.

Take a look at this video where Natasha shows you how to make Trini style coconut bake. The recipe is really good.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDpR12Wniwg

Now, what do you think I will share in my next post?

Trinidad Cassava Pone

Trinidad is also known for many of its sweets and cakes because they are rich in flavour and has been made and enjoyed for generations.  Cassava Pone is an all time favourite among the young and young at heart.  It’s a sweet dish made mainly with cassava, coconut and pumpkin.

We spend money buying cassava pone these days as many feel intimidated by it but it is really simple and easy to make.  So try the recipe below and you will recognize your pone is just as good as the bakery around the corner.

You will need:

(Serves 16)

Food Tip#3: Freeze today, save tomorrow

Freezing food allows us to save money and use the foods we love at a later date, especially when they are not in season. Here’s a couple of Trini favourites you may not think can freeze well.
                                            

Pimento Peppers

Trinis love to use pimento peppers in their dishes but during the year these peppers become scarce and the cost goes up. Try freezing using this very simple process. It works for me. It freezes well and will save you money in the long run.

• Buy the amount of peppers you want to freeze.
• Wash them, dry them, leave them whole and place them in Ziploc bags. 

To use, take out the peppers needed, remove seeds, cut up as desired and apply to your dish.

Dumplings

The Dumpling is the side that makes the extremely popular Crab and Dumplings. They can be boiled, fried, or baked in a casserole.

However, in addition to having dumplings with curry, Trinis love it in Soups, with Salt-fish and even with Stew Chicken. 

This is the basic recipe if you’re making it for the first time. Once you’ve mastered the dumpling, try one of the variations below. 

Cassava dumplings are my favourite!

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

Curried Crab

This is one of our traditional dishes, especially in our sister island. Neither Trinis nor foreign visitors can get enough curried crab when in Tobago. 

I have friends who go across to Tobago, eat it and actually bring it back because they can't get enough of the taste which is truly amazing.

If you can't make it to Tobago anytime soon, try this recipe, originally from Trinidad and Tobago’s Naparima Girls’ Cookbook. It is very good but I’ve added chadon beni and pimento peppers to pump up the Trini flavour.

Stew Chicken (Trini Style)

In Trinidad, stew chicken is made weekly in most households.  It goes with almost anything; rice, callaloo, macaroni pie or ground provisions. I bet you can’t spot a Trini who does not like stew chicken. 

Unfortunately not everyone can make this dish, the secret is in the browning aspect of the process and the herbs you put into the stew. For me, it’s the unique flavour of the chadon beni that makes my pot.

So try this recipe, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients

A Trins Style Quiche for Mom

On the 8th May, we celebrate our Mothers who spent their lives sacrificing and shaping us into respectable human beings.  Over the years, we’ve moved away from making special meals at home to simply going to a restaurant to be served.

Let’s get back to tradition this Mother’s Day and serve mom a wonderful breakfast made at home.  My recommendation is to make a Trini style Quiche the star of your breakfast menu. 

Try this simple Spinach Quiche with Bacon recipe from Kraft Foods so you don't spend all morning in the kitchen.

Just use the following as substitutes and you have your own Trini Style quiche.

• 11/4 cup cooked local spinach (make sure and add pimento peppers, yum) 
• 3 slices Erin Farms streaky bacon.

So, surprise mom with a homemade breakfast this weekend.  Mom will be happy to know you made an effort and the took the time to show her how much you love her!

Know your Herbs and Spices

We use herbs and spices a lot in Trinidad. They flavour many of our favourite dishes. 

Herbs are plants whose leaves can be used ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicine: a ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicinea ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicinea ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicinefresh or dried in cooking to give flavour to particular dishes or in making medicine.  

Most fresh herbs should be added near the end of cooking or sprinkled over the completed dish to avoid losing their flavours whereas dried herbs can be cooked for much longer.

lant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicine: a ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicinea ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​medicinea ​type of ​plant whose ​leaves are used in ​cooking to give ​flavour to ​particular ​dishes or in making ​me

Food Tip #2: Use Panko for reduced calories

Do you know about Panko? Well, it’s a Japanese-style breadcrumb used as a coating for deep-fried foods. It is becoming popular among Trinis who are accustomed to using Crix, Bread and even Corn flakes to make crumbs.

Chicken Pelau

You can’t pull off a true Trini beach lime without this dish. This is a heavenly mixture of chicken, rice and pigeon peas. Some people like it ‘grainy’ and some like it ‘wet’. Either way, it tastes great. 

My kids love it so much that the little one does not even leave a rice grain behind. Pelau can be served on its own but pairs well with potato salad or coleslaw.

Surprise someone you love with this dish and enjoy the compliments.  You can’t go wrong with a good pelau.

Invest in a Herb Garden

Starting your own herb garden is a great idea for this upcoming Corpus Christi as you will reap the benefits all year round.  There’s no better time to start as food prices are steadily increasing so this will save you some money in the long run.
 
If you have limited space like me the flower pots will do otherwise take a small part of your backyard and turn it into your herb garden. Simple select the herbs you like and use most and get started.  

Restaurant review: Suckhole Restaurant & Bar, Tobago

  

Now what kind of a name is that for a restaurant? Well, when I first heard it I laughed along with my colleagues.

Last year, my colleagues and I went Tobago on a team building exercise and found our way to Charlotteville.  The trip was not planned and by the time we got there we were extremely hungry but could find nowhere to eat. 

Dhal and rice anyone?

To the World, our Dhal is really a spin on split pea soup.  However, Trinis will add lots of vegetables and provisions before we can call it a soup. 

Dhal is a simple dish with little variation but it’s the sweet hand that makes all the difference. 

So try this recipe from Trinidad and Tobago’s very own Naparima Girls’ Cookbook and enjoy your dhal over hot rice or simply by itself.

Food Tip#1: Make your own Green seasoning...

Trinis love to use fresh seasoning but nowadays they end up buying it to save time. These bottled seasonings cannot touch the real deal. Homemade seasoning gives much more flavour and you’re fully aware of all the ingredients. So don’t buy it, make it!

You have a wide variety of herbs, peppers and onions to choose from so you can’t go wrong, just add your favourite seasoning herbs.  I don’t own a grinder so I blend my seasoning and it stays for at least 2 weeks in the fridge.

If you’ve never made it before, try my basic recipe and tell me what you think.

Callaloo

One of our most popular dishes is Callaloo, a soup also used as a side, especially on a Sunday.  This dish which is traditionally made with crab, can take on many variations as it is so versatile.  I make a vegetarian style callaloo and when you try it you will see that you don’t miss the meat at all.  And I use the blender (the pulse option) to pull it together but take your time as you don’t want a puree. Enjoy!

Callaloo

Sadha Bake

Have you ever realised late at night you have no bread for sandwiches in the morning?  How do you improvise?  I make sadha bake!  

It’s my thicker version of sadha and some can even call it my version of pita bread.  This is easier to cut into than traditional sadha which is very thin and is more satisfying.  Doesn’t take much time to make and these are basic ingredients every household would have on hand. A tawah is normally used but a flat griddle will give the same results.      

So try this recipe whenever you’re in such a predicament or use it regularly to reduce the cost of buying bread all the time.

Macaroni Pie

Macaroni Pie

Another traditional creole dish made mainly on a Sunday but can be enjoyed every day.  A flexible dish as you can add your favourite vegetables or meats to make this your own creation. 

Basic is cheaper, especially if this is a side dish to a complete meal.  This dish normally asks for 2 eggs but I have been making it without eggs for years and you can’t tell the difference. It binds with the cheese and even stays longer without it. 

Try my recipe below and you’ll see it’s delicious and you won’t miss the eggs!

Welcome!

Happy you decided to visit my blog.   

My home, Trinidad and Tobago are blessed Caribbean islands, rich in people and culture. The diversity of our people is fully reflected in the amazing variety of foods we prepare and enjoy. 

My blog is designed to bring you our traditional recipes which come from the various ethnic groups that make up our people.  It is true Trinis love good, flavourful food but many shy away from preparing these dishes as they are readily available. 

My aim is to provide easy recipes and useful food tips for Trinis who don't think they can cook and those wanting to prepare tasty meals on a budget.