Green beans and garlic are a classic French combination that I re-interpreted, using the very Trinidadian staple of bodi, on Episode 10 of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina”. Also known as yard long beans, locally bodi is more traditionally curried or prepared in tomato-based sauce. This preparation however is one that is surprisingly delicate and really allows the true... 

Through the years I’ve made no small secret of the fact that cassava is one of my favourite local ingredients. Starchy and viscous it lends easily equally well to savoury and sweet applications, yet outside of cassava pone, most people don’t think of other ways to incorporate this tuber into desserts. Hopefully, my recipe for this chocolate vegan pudding will change all that! Cassava’s... 

Isn’t alchemy amazing? On Episode 5 of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina” Trini food blogger QD Ross of “Bring It To The Table” mentioned a concoction called a ‘liquid cheesecake cocktail’ that was amazingly enough dairy-free. Even more surprising, it only required two components. Seriously? I thought he had to be pulling my leg. But, it really... 

This recipe for Spicy Guava Glazed Tofu was the centerpiece of my menu for Episode 4 of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina”. Tofu is an ingredient that many people have had unpleasant experiences with. Too often, this is because they have had it prepared without much fanfare or seasoning. You see tofu is an ingredient that benefits immensely through proper pairing, both in... 

I came up with this recipe for Episode 6 of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with Sarina”. All who had it dubbed it an instant fave from the very first bite. It combines all the elements that I consider essential to successful salad, color, contrasts and texture. In this case, highly seasoned potato ‘croutons’ dance on a bed of baby spinach, accompanied by juicy mandarin... 

This curried lentil soup is a good introduction to lentil soups for those who have considered them dull and uninspiring. With creamy chunks of eddoes and sweet bites of plantain, the spicy heat of scotch bonnet and the sharp accents of lime juice and chadon beni (culantro), it has something for everyone! Watch me make it below on the 6th episode of “Sweet Han’: Caribbean Cooking with... 

Excerpted from Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes. Although not as popular as other Indo-Trinidadian treats such as barfi, kurma and parsad, kheer is a recipe that I thought deserved sharing for its ease of preparation and elegant presentation. Sweet and nutty with aphrodisiac properties, I especially enjoy it chilled on warm days and/or nights. Variations abound so I highly recommend replacing... 

“How is everyone? I hope well! I’m back and relaxed after a week off enjoying the madness that was Trinidad & Tobago Carnival. Now, it’s back to the kitchen, but I’m not feeling for anything too heavy or time-consuming. This vegan menu fits the bill for when you want something elegant and easy to enjoy, either on your own, or with others! We’ll start off with my glam approach to... 

We’ve made it through the first month of 2013 and it’s time to celebrate! We’re going to indulge and we’re going to do it healthily. I’ve prepared a vegan menu that is both filling and luxurious. We’ll start off with a light salad and soup that is bursting with Eastern flavours and Caribbean staples and pairing it with some silky smooth paratha roti. It’s all part of the guilt-free prep... 

Such a simple recipe. Steaks of fish, lightly poached in an infused wine and tomato sauce, studded with sweet chunks of pineapple, and redolent with the aromatics of Trinidad Green Seasoning. I created this recipe for my upcoming ebook “Holiday Glam: 30+ Festive Caribbean Recipes” and was happy to cook it live last week on the debut of my G+ cooking series “Sweet Han’: Caribbean... 

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Trini ChristmasWell you know how Trinis like how to do everything las’ minute? If you don’t have enough time to try my mother’s ginger beer recipe, here is a Quick Ginger Beer recipe from Epicurious.com that needs only 24 hours fermentation. Best of luck! Click here to read: QUICK GINGER BEER Recipe at Epicurious.com Excerpt: This is the... 

Cassava latkes, an idea so simple, so obvious, and yet so left-field, that if it wasn’t for a chance comment from Ramin Ganeshram a year ago on Twitter, I may never have thought of whipping up a batch! I had been on a cassava kick, trying to see how many uses I could find for my favourite provision, besides the tried and true. I had made Vichysoisse Creole, and Cassava porridge, and then, as... 

This entry is part 7 of 10 in the series Trini Christmas As promised, here is a recipe for Paime (pron. PAY-me)! Paime is basically a sweet version of the savoury pastelle. I only recently discovered that Paime is also a traditional Xmas dish. Well that explains why it seemed I never could find it lol! No one in my family makes this traditionally, so I have only been offered/given it by acquaintances... 

This entry is part 7 of 10 in the series Trini Christmas When I first made this in 2006 it was my first time using a pack of dried sorrel for a recipe. I was pleasantly surprised. If you allow it to steep overnight the results are pretty good. The below recipe is my adaptation of the Jamaican Sorrel Rum Punch Recipe at Epicurious.com. Because the pack of dried sorrel that I bought already has cloves... 

This entry is part 4 of 10 in the series Trini ChristmasChristmas in Trinidad is a diverse multicultural affair. Not just for the Christian population, but also through the secular participation of the nation at large through the enjoyment of our local christmas songs (called parang) and especially the creation and consumption of our traditional Christmas foods. No Christmas in Trinidad would be complete... 

This entry is part 3 of 10 in the series Trini Christmas mom’s ginger beer brewing in the sun The above scene and bottle feel as though they have always been with me, they occur with such comforting regularity. Ginger beer is something that is enjoyed by both Trinis and Jamaicans however in my experience many Trinis enjoy theirs much weaker than my mother makes hers. Many people can’t... 

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series Trini ChristmasLike sorrel, Black Cake in Trinidad is a Christmas institution. Made predominantly of alcohol drenched prunes, currants and raisins, variations abound (and I love taste testing when we make the visiting rounds). Still, the best black cake is always the recipe that one grew up with. In this case my black cake comes from my aunt, who also uses this... 

This entry is part 1 of 10 in the series Trini ChristmasWhat is Parang? Well Parang is the soundtrack to Christmas here in Trinidad. More than that however Parang is also a culture, a way of life that sweeps through my island after the lights of Eid and Divali have been put away. The What is Parang? webpage has a wonderful overview of the history and features of Trinidad Parang. ‘Parang’... 

Ever since watching the documentary FForks Over Knives last year I have actively been conscious of keeping my animal protein intake (both meat and dairy) to a minimum. It’s been quite a revelation for both my mother and myself in terms of the improvements that we have found in our overall well-being. As a result my enthusiasm for raw and vegan recipes (which have already been highlighted on... 

This recipe is a staple side dish of mine that I’ve adapted and modified at length through the years. Both colorful and flavourful I think it creates a texturally interesting background for spicy curries and other East Indian flavoured entrees. Why not try it with Tridoshic Dal, Coconut Chicken Curry, or Vegetable Curry in a Hurry? Coconut Rice with Lentils and Cashews INGREDIENTS: 1/2 lb....