It often happens that culinary inspiration hits me late at night. Although this is great for my confidence, it’s not so great for my waistline The other night, as I was relaxing to a new episode of Jersey Shore (don’t judge me!) I started to get a craving for fried goodness. Maybe it was the boardwalk scenes, maybe it was the platters of home fries, but before I knew it I started to... 

Paradise Kitchen: Caribbean Cooking with Chef Daniel Orr by Daniel Orr Publication Date: May 12, 2011Buy new: $29.95 $19.77 (Visit the Hot New Releases in Caribbean & West Indian list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.) Description: Chef Daniel Orr spent years working in high-stress Manhattan kitchens before shifting gears and heading to the calm, turquoise waters... 

Rainforest Roll – Kaizan Sushi Bar, Movietowne (my writeup of my search for a new sushi home will be up in coming weeks) The first month of 2011 is barely over and I’m already I’m in the middle of a whirlwind of activity! I can’t complain, and I hope that everything is treating you well on your side of the screen as well The winds of change are not just blowing offline, but... 

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Top Trini Condiments So you want to know how to make Trini pepper sauce? Trinidad Pepper Sauce is no joke peoples. This is liquid fire, forged from the flesh of the hottest scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, onions and other assorted ingredients simmered to perfection. This recipe is for my father’s pepper sauce, something he’s been making for…... 

Oxtail stew (or ‘stew oxtail’ as it is more commonly called in local parlance) is a sentimental favourite of many Trinbagonians. While writing this post I even had a Twitter follower tell me that it’s the first thing she insists on having upon returning home! In the US stew oxtail is more closely identified with Jamaican fare, but I do believe that each island is equally proud of... 

It was one of those moments you always hope for, but can never predict or plan. A message on Twitter in early January letting me know that Sam Sifton, Dining editor of The New York Times was working on a piece about Caribbean Style Oxtail Stew and that I should probably drop him a line. The messenger? Sanura Weathers of My Life Runs On Food. After a brief bout of should I/shouldn’t I, I decided... 

Hey everyone! I am so happy to officially announce my partnership this year with Macaroni Kid Trinidad! In the past I have been offered opportunities for collaborations and I have, until now, turned them all down. Until now. You see, for me, a project has to be aligned with my core values, and I have to feel that in some way, the project is for a larger good to remain committed. This is truly what... 

There is something about Sundays. The pace of life is slower, the roads are empty, the neighbourhood is quieter, and the sunshine seems slightly brighter. Sundays lend themselves to leisurely baking like no other day of the week. That’s why last Sunday I decided to make some Baking Powder Biscuits. These biscuits remind me a lot of those that you get at Kentucky Fried Chicken (at least the ones... 

Delicious Jamaica: Vegetarian Cuisine (Healthy World Cuisine) by Yvonne McCalla Sobers (6)Buy new: $14.95 $10.10 24 used & new from $2.27 Description: From pre-Columbian times to the present, Jamaica has been a melting pot of many cultural influences. Nowhere is this better reflected than in its wonderful food. From the delicious barbecue style of the Arawak Indians (the inhabitants of the island... 

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Top Trini Condiments Ketchup. You think you know what it is, but if you haven’t tasted true homemade ketchup, well… in the words of MTV Diary, “you have no idea”. Often when friends come down to visit they leave with bottles of local ketchup. Curious about this behaviour I asked one why she did it. “It don’t taste the same... 

Have you seen the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of Caribbean Beat Magazine? I hadn’t until I started getting congratulatory messages on Twitter last month about my mention in it! Of course I then rushed to their website to see what it was all about And, there it was! The article “Perfect Presents For Foodie Friends” is written by BBC Producer Franka Philip, the mind behind “Can Cook,... 

This post was originally published on July 15, 2007. It has been updated twice since then. Chocolat (2000): Nominated for 5 Academy Awards(R) including Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliette Binoche — THE ENGLISH PATIENT), and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench — SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), CHOCOLAT is the beautiful and captivating comedy from the acclaimed director of THE CIDER HOUSE RULES!... 

Wednesday evening is the start of Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for the Trees. This holiday, and its accompanying seder, encourages participants to reflect on how the earth’s bounty (especially the forms that fruit take) mirror our own spiritual evolution. For the event, or any time that you want to bring a ‘natural’ feel to the fore, I have focused on a neutral palette... 

Chive Blossoms – our garden Wednesday evening marks the start of Tu B’Shevat, one of my favourite holidays on the Jewish calendar. There’s something whimsical and life-affirming about having a New Year’s celebration for the environment and the seder (religious) service which accompanies it has a focus on our role as stewards of the planet, as well stewards of our own ever-evolving... 

20 Best Jamaican Recipes Dee Phillips at Landmark Press Publishing (Author) Download: $2.99 197 used & new from $2.99 Description: If you love the spicy island flavour that is typical of Jamaican cooking then you will love this cookbook! This cookbook features 20 all-time favourite Jamaican recipes, including Jamaica's National Dish - Saltfish 'n Ackee. Have you been craving something spicy... 

J’ouvert Morning Bachhanal – a woodwork by Anthony “Chinman” Trotman Happy New Year again! It’s time for the first Amazon Hotlist of 2011! You’ll see a lot of shakeups on the list this time around due to some changes that I’ve made via Twitter re: promoting new and currently popular cookbook releases. Already it has exposed many of you who follow me on there... 

Transcription: Wayside market in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo/Barbados Tourist Board) Back In Time Barbados Style This post was originally published October 7, 2010. It has been updated once since then. Tweet  Read More →

Mmm poori. This was originally intended as part of my Hanukkah 2010 menu series, however time and health intervened. However, better late than never right? Poori is an Indian fried bread that I was first introduced to during my years at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. There it was served, at the amazing India House restaurant, in spectacular fashion. A hollow shimmering bread the size... 

New Year, Same Resolutions! Happy New Year all ! I hope that you are transitioning into the regular work week better than I am! Have you ever felt that you need a vacation to get over your vacation? Yup, that’s me right about now Still, a New Year is a wonderful thing to usher in in my book, and I am excited for all the opportunities which have presented themselves to me over the last... 

This dish of pigeon peas and rice was the perfect accompaniment to the Crispy Lemon Chicken that I made earlier this year. The rice and peas are cooked together in a rich combination of fresh thyme and coconut milk with wedges of tomatoes and (if desired) a scotch bonnet pepper. The final result is quite similar to the scent and flavour of Jamaican peas and rice, a sentimental fave of mine, and should...