10 Amazing Facts About Tamarind

For the love of tamarind I recently had a pleasant childhood flashback when I saw a basket of tamarind in my local supermarket and I was immediately taken back to my childhood in Guyana. Tamarind is not a fruit which I see very often here in Haiti. Although it is definitely known and there are…

10 Ways to Keep Busy and Positive during the Covid-19 Lockdown

I am accustomed to being at home for extended periods of time before the Covid lockdown. Over the past 18 months due to political and social unrest, there were many long periods of time when we were forced to stay home on lockdown. I have learned that being at home is not such a terrible…

Handy pantry substitutes and cooking in the time of a pandemic

Cooking at home while on lockdown seems to be the reality in everyone’s life these days. People are spending most of their time at home due to the constraints of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Regardless of where we reside in the world, we all find ourselves experiencing so many common realities, as we all make a…

Hibiscus Orange Ice Tea

In the heavy oppressive summer heat, a cool beverage is always welcome. In the Caribbean, the months of June through September are ones of long sunny days and extremely high temperatures. Although we have sunshine all year around, these months are particularly hot ones which means that everyone is looking for ways to keep their…

Ginger Tea with Aromatic Spices

Ginger is a such a glorious root which offers so many favorable properties. Ginger rhizome is related to curcuma or turmeric and originated in South East Asia. Ginger can be found in fresh or dried form, with each form being slightly different both in flavor and potency level. Rich in Vitamin C & Magnesium, ginger…

Citrus Magic: Lemons, Limes and Sour Oranges

It never ceases to amaze me how flavors come together in food preparation. In my opinion, cooking can be compared to alchemy. Like magic, ingredients and spices marry together to produce wondrous outcomes. A good cook seeks to balance flavors ranging from sweet, savory, spicy and acidic and transforms them into tasty delights. Too much…

Guyana revisited : Memories of my childhood

Every now and again, I find myself reminiscing about my homeland. Although it’s been 33 years now since I left and became a member of the Guyanese diaspora, I still have fond memories of the place where I grew up and spent the first part of my life. I know a trip back to Guyana…

Peanut Chrysanthemum Cookies

Peanut Chrysanthemum Cookies I remember those cookies fondly as a child. I was never a big fan of peanut butter, but I did like these dainty cookies whenever we had them on special occasions. The pastry was very refined and the filling was slightly sweet and peanut flavored. There was the characteristic red dot in…

Portuguese Guyanese Style Shrove Tuesday Pancakes Malasadas

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…

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…