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…
Category: Tropical Living
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,…
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…
Guyanese Girl Haitian Soul’s First Dinner Experience
I started writing my thoughts down and sharing them with you all last April. I can honestly say that I did not really know whether anyone would enjoy reading my stories, but I knew that I was writing from my heart. I have been astounded by the feedback from my readers. Over the course of…
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…
Coconut Swirl Bread, Salara
I must admit that I have a weakness for all things coconut. The fact that I live in the Caribbean and coconuts are synonymous with island life, may have something to do with that. I always have a stock of coconut products on hand for cooking and baking. Essentials are coconut water and coconut milk….
Brazilian Gluten-Free Cheese Puff
If you’ve ever been to a Brazilian Steak House restaurant, chances are you have tasted these delicious little cheese “breads”. This recipe came to me via a good friend Lauretta who has lived in Brazil. They are made with tapioca flour and are gluten-free. These little balls of deliciousness puff up beautifully while in the…
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…