I just celebrated a milestone birthday. For most of us, reaching fifty is a huge deal. For some it’s middle age, for others (namely people born after 2000 ) it’s just old. I don’t subscribe to either of these thoughts…I feel that 50 is merely number and that being healthy and happy far outweigh the…
Magnificent Mango Smoothie
It’s mango season in Haïti and the bounty of fruit is just amazing. So many varieties to choose from, it’s mind boggling sometimes. I received a case of Baptiste mangoes for my birthday from a friend who knows how much I enjoy this particular variety. They are very fragrant as they ripen and the flesh…
The Amazing Power of Lemons and Limes
There are so many awesome flavors which are fresh and exciting but the ones which truly stands out to me are the flavors of lemons and limes. I always keep a good quantity of both of these citrus varieties on hand and store them in my refrigerator cooling drawer as they remain fresher for a…
Fragrant Israeli Couscous and Red Quinoa Salad
I was thinking of what to make for lunch and I had a yearning for something light and fresh. I had gone to the market earlier and had lots of fresh vegetables on hand. I didn’t feel like having an ordinary green salad, and I wanted something a bit more filling with a complex texture….
The Flavors of Haïti
When I got married and moved to Haiti I was introduced to a new culture and cuisine. I realized early on that although Haiti was part of the Caribbean, the culture and food was quite unlike the other neighboring countries. The rich bold flavors of Haitian foods were delicious and I immediately loved the different…
Banana Jam Is The Ultimate Comfort Food
Living in the Caribbean, means that great bananas are always plentiful and reasonably inexpensive. Every week I buy a bunch, but sometimes the heat can make them ripen faster than they can be eaten. As we all have a tendency to like to eat fresh fruit which looks appealing, ripening bananas with their blotchy peel…
Tea Party in the Tropics
I have always loved tea and tea time. On week days when I am busy with work and my daily activities, tea time is just a pot of good strong English tea and maybe a slice of cake or a small pastry if I have fresh baked goods on hand. I also really enjoy the…
Carambola Jam
In my yard in Guyana stands a beautiful,mature and very prolific carambola tree. In my memory it was the perfect tree. It was not too tall that the fruit were inaccessible, nor too flimsy that it could not bear the burden of the fruit it bore; it was just right. Its mature trunk was thick…
The Best Rice and Beans
In this part of the world, Rice is a staple and eaten at most meals. Growing up in Guyana, white rice was a faithful part of practically every meal; with the exception of days that cookup rice was on the menu. Rice is both comforting and filling. Eating these familiar grains, whether they be brown,…
The Importance of Family in Society Today
When I think of family, I associate the word with great love, happiness and appreciation. For me it is a word which is sacred and all important. It means the source and foundation on which love and security is built. It’s my support system through good and bad, happy or sad. Family is there at…
Beignets de Figues or Banana Fritters
These banana fritters are made in Haïti during the carnival season. They are not to be confused with the beignets of New Orleans, which are the raised fried pastry doused in tons of powdered sugar. This Haitian fried sweet snack is made when there are lots of delicious organic bananas available, as they are the…
Carnival in Haïti
In Haïti, once the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, it immediately signals that the pre-Carnival season is imminent. You have to understand that for Haitians, Carnival is probably the biggest celebration of the year. For many here, Carnival is greatly anticipated and it is truly a time where people of all walks of…
