The Story Behind Guyanese Girl Haitian Soul [Part 2]: The Joy of Cooking

From as far back as I can remember, I have always been intrigued by flavors and food. I am utterly fascinated by the alchemy which occurs in the kitchen, when different spices are blended together producing an amalgamation of wonderful tastes. Sheer magic occurs in the cooking process which imparts the most delicious flavors into…

Guyanese Mithai or Kurma

I have a weakness for this delicious sweet treat. In Guyana, it is very common to find Mithai everywhere. Our Indian heritage has brought this gem to us collectively and we just consider it a “Guyanese” thing. Who can resist the thin, crunchy, sweet pieces of fried dough? The grated coconut and mild spices all…

Happy New Year and Haitian Independence

It’s a New Year…out with the old, in with the new. At midnight, all around the world people celebrate the passing of the old year and happily welcome the beginning of a new year. The calendar year is based on the Earth’s 365 day cycle around the Sun. This journey around the sun enables the…

Festive Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Pretty festive cookies are inviting and synonymous with the Christmas season. I love to make these and dress them up in different styles, each being a unique piece of edible artwork. This cookie dough recipe is easily mixed and is very delicious. It is an extremely versatile dough which can be used in several ways…

Christmas Traditions Then and Now

December is a busy month of family traditions. Many of you are likely to be planning Christmas celebrations and parties as it is traditionally a month of festivities. For me, the season is usually a busy and happy one. Christmas has always been my favorite season. My traditions are a mixture of Guyanese and Haitian…

Porcini Mushroom Risotto and Shrimp

This is a lovely dish to prepare for a few people. It takes time and should not be done on a day when you have to multi task in the kitchen. Risotto is a creamy rice dish made with a short plump grain which absorbs liquid well and has a high starch content. Unlike regular…

Sugarcane Field Memories of Greenfield Park

When I think of Guyana, I am automatically drawn back to my home in Providence. Growing up in Greenfield Park, on the East Bank of the Demerara river in Guyana, was an unforgettable part of my childhood. The compound housed a few original colonial plantation style homes which were once built for the British staff…

The Story Behind Guyanese Girl Haitian Soul  [PART 1]

Living in Haiti these last 27 plus years has been a blessing as well as a test of the strength of my character. I remember the early days after I got married when I did not speak the language and missed my family and familiar things so much. It was not the era of FaceTime…

Caribbean Style Floats and Saltfish Buljol

If you are from the English speaking Caribbean and particularly Guyana and Trinidad, you will be fond of this typical meal. For many it’s a Sunday morning breakfast or a family dinner. There really is no absolute right or wrong time to enjoy this combo. I grew up loving my Mother’s delicious bakes and saltfish…

How Tending to My Garden Became The Metaphor For My Life

 I have always enjoyed cooking and baking since I was very young. I come from a family of great cooks for several generations, so  it was pretty natural that the heart of the home revolves around the kitchen and dining table. I also love nature and my garden very much. Initially in the early…