The Lent season which is the 40 day religious period of prayer, reflection and penance in the Christian traditions will begin next Wednesday. The Lent period then officially ends on Easter Sunday. This weekend and the days leading up to Ash Wednesday will be ones of excesses for some, with the Carnival festivals enjoyed in…
Category: Caribbean lifestyle
All We Need Is Love
When I was young, Valentine’s day was the day which symbolized love and all things associated with this emotion. Everyone wore something red and looked forward to receiving cards, chocolates or flowers from admirers. Little did I know at this time just how commercial this day really was. My views today are so very different…
The Most Delicious Cheesy Polenta and Ground Beef Gratin
Corn or maize and it’s bi-products are today widely used ingredients in so many products we consume. This common grain is cultivated all over the world now that we may no longer even wonder where it may have originated. If you drive through the Midwest in the USA, you will see acres upon acres of…
Pumpkin Soup or Haïti Independence Soup Joumou
All over the world we celebrates the New Year on January 1st, but in Haïti we have a double commemoration. So many are oblivious to Haiti’s pivotal role in history in the early 19th century. The battle for independence was courageously won by a rebellion of unified people including Blacks, Mulattoes, French, Spanish, Polish, German…
Smoked Herring Chiquetaille Haitian Style
A breakfast plate of chiquetaille d’hareng or smoked herring and avocado with cassava bread, artisanal crackers and baguette. I am a firm believer of always having pantry staples on hand. You never know when you need to whip up a little something at a moment’s notice. It’s always a good idea to also have a…
Memories of Guyana: Strength in Community and Pow Making
Have you ever noticed that there are certain powerful triggers which can induce a wave of nostalgia in us? Sometimes it can be seeing images of a place which can take us back in time or even seeing a familiar food which perhaps you have not eaten for many years. It’s amazing how things such…
Chewy Coconut Cookies
Living in the Caribbean, we can always find fresh coconut on hand. It is a mainstay in my kitchen and I keep a few packages of freshly grated coconut in my freezer. I can then use these convenient packages whenever I need to make some fresh coconut milk or to make a coconut dessert like…
Chia Coconut Pudding Delight
In recent years, there has been quite an interest in chia. One would think that this is a new food discovery. In fact, the chia seed has been appreciated and cultivated for hundreds of years in Central America. It’s virtues have been recognized and favored by the ancient Maya’s and Aztecs as a superfood. The…
An Unforgettable Fundraising Evening in Haïti and Culinary Voyage Through South Asia
People often ask me if I cook everyday. The answer is yes! I enjoy creating new things as well as cooking for my family and friends. My kitchen is always a busy place and truly is the heart of the home. Last week however, I cooked for a very special event which I had been…
Summer Sangria
This summer feels like it will be a scorcher as it is only mid-June. I like to entertain at my home and I prefer to hosts things in the late afternoon or early evening as the sun shifts to another phase; lifting the oppressive heat so common at this time of year here in Haïti….