Simply Trini Cooking

Pinwheel Sandwiches

2012-05-30T01:41:00.001-04:00

These are a sure hit in any party you're having and learning to make them is a must for anyone who loves to throw dinner parties and family gatherings. I have one word to describe these sandwiches: "cute". The "cuteness" comes from the "spiral" look the sandwich takes on when it is laid on the plate. Of course the taste is phenomenal. And, even that can have many variations based on diet, taste,

Rumaki

2012-05-27T16:39:00.001-04:00

Sounds Japanese doesn't it? Well, for a short while I thought so as well, but I was taken a back when I researched this recipe on the internet. In fact, it wasn't even an "ethnic" dish, but one that was created out of commercialism. Rumaki was the brainchild of Victor Bergeron, known as Trader Vic who ran a chain of successful "Tiki restaurants" back in the early nineteen hundreds. As far its

Beef in Hoisin Sauce

2012-05-13T21:58:00.001-04:00

Lately, I've been trying my hand at some cooking from our Chinese Heritage on the island, but then too I'm not really trying. I'm doing because the recipes are very close to the taste as compared to the Chinese restaurants, save for the M.S.G, but that's another story. Let's consider the simplicity of Chinese cooking. Ever wondered what gave rise to their remarkable cooking techniques. The

Losing and Gaining Weight

2012-05-05T15:50:00.001-04:00

Here is a topic that one of my readers had asked to write a little on. She wanted me to write an article on gaining weight. Now you could imagine my surprise, after all losing weight is more popular. However, I thought it was only fair that I talked about both, losing and gaining weight. This article is a delayed response, but I hope she finds it helpful as well. Photo courtesy

Tuna Casserole

2012-05-04T00:48:00.001-04:00

Here is a dish that everybody could make and enjoy, even for any special event or occasion. This recipe is simple because most of the cooking is done in the oven. So, go ahead and impress your other half and surprise the children with a tasty, easy to serve, one-pot meal. One thing I like about casserole dishes is the ease and short time needed to prepare it. You can also add some vegetables

Fish and Chips Trinistyle

2012-04-23T21:31:00.002-04:00

Fish and Chips? Who would have thought that this English staple "fast food " would catch on here in Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, there is always that Trini twist that we are famous for in our cooking which could account for its popularity. Want to know how popular this fish and chips combo is? Just go by Sam's at Maracas Bay and ask for a shark and chips ... an alternative to our bake and

Potato Pie (Baked)

2012-04-13T04:29:00.001-04:00

Since I got a great review of the Cassava and Saltfish Pie recipe by my facebook fans, I decided to do another "baked pie" recipe. Today I have for you all potato pie. Now, I have to distinguish between what kind of pie I'm talking about.This is because in Trini, a pie could mean .. A fried dough usually filled with meat or potatoes e.g potato or aloo pie A pastry that's filled with meat or

Cassava and Saltfish Pie

2012-04-06T23:49:00.000-04:00

At last! Good Friday is here. For most Catholics in Trinidad and Tobago this begins the Easter Triduum and the culmination of the Lenten season. Of course in Trinidad and Tobago we have our traditions surrounding Good Friday as well, one of which is the "Bobolee", a scare crow of sorts that represents Judas Escariot. Well, the custom with the "bobolee" is to beat it to smithereens with anything

Salt Mackerel and Provision

2012-04-06T10:54:00.000-04:00

Salt Mackerel and Provision is a classic Trini dish that we love to cook. Although salt mackerel is traditionally eaten during Lent especially on Good Friday, I believe, once it is available in the market, it would be eaten year round by all Trinis alike. Well, at least I would! Unlike saltfish, when cooking salt mackerel care must be taken since it is a delicate fish that breaks up easily. So

Stir Fry Beef with Noodles

2012-03-20T21:22:00.003-04:00

Ever wanted to cook a quick meal after a long day? Well, take out that piece of beef from the freezer, thaw it out and put some noodles to boil as you read on....Ok, so your pot is on the stove and your pack of noodles is on the counter. Let's go ....... Stir fry beef with noodles is a really tasty dish that you can make in a jiffy, especially when you're tired and don't feel like cooking as I

Cucumber Chutney

2012-03-11T11:08:00.001-04:00

Found gracefully adorning all doubles in Trinidad and Tobago and perhaps in New York and environs, cucumber chutney has become a main stay of many a doubles vendor. Be it for economy's sake or otherwise, cucumber chutney is a real crowd pleaser. It complements the other chutneys and sauces well "batting in its crease" and not overpowering the other flavours. At first you get that all too

Cassava Au Gratin

2012-03-05T14:02:00.000-04:00

After a poll on my facebook fanpage and some other discussions that followed, I felt that I just had to do a Cassava recipe for my fans. So here it is, cassava au gratin in all its creamy splendor. I must admit I now see why so many people voted for cassava as their favourite provision. Coming to think about it, cassava is really a versatile root crop. It can be used to make a lot of things ...

Simply Trini Cooking - Lenten Special Cook Book

2012-02-21T19:54:00.001-04:00

Today, I have a number of announcements and something special for all the subscribers of Simply Trini Cooking. First, I want to thank all those who sent in their menu submissions to the Carnival Souvenir Magazine Contest. It is closed off now, and after much deliberation I have three winners to announce. They will receive a Carnival 2012 Souvenir Magazine in their mail. Now, if you did not

Stuffed Sweet Peppers II ( Vegetarian )

2012-02-13T08:33:00.002-04:00

Following closely on the heels of stuffed sweet peppers, is a vegetarian version everyone will like. Even a "meatarian" like myself have to agree that it tastes great. lol!! It's really delicious by itself or as a side dish to complement a main course meal. So why did I do this dish vegetarian style? Easy, Other than some of my fans requesting it I find myself more or less preparing for the

Chinese Style Fried Chicken

2012-02-12T21:56:00.002-04:00

What's in a secret that has to be hidden? I believe that there is no knowledge under the sun that's secretive. Someone knows about it, and so it's not really a secret it's just uncommon knowledge that's hidden by a select few. Some do it for business purposes, like our famous bitters...or like the most famous fried chicken restaurant. Others just find the information too sensitive for the masses.

Toolum

2012-02-12T15:51:00.001-04:00

What can I say about toolum?...it's black, chewy, sometimes sticky and molasses-y with a hint of orange peel and ginger. All natural, no preservatives. When I think of toolum it throws me back straight into Primary School........It was a hit among us as children and still is even as an adult. In between all the salty, sour and peppery snacks, we had at school, a toolum from the parlour

Baked Parmesan Chicken

2012-02-10T19:21:00.001-04:00

The Trini seasoned chicken and Parmesan cheese aroma wafted from the oven and filled the entire kitchen. As I removed the foil the tasty treat revealed itself in all its splendorous deliciousness. Melted cheese covered the chicken taking on a light brown colour. I was eager to take a taste: I was already salivating with knife in hand and only common sense was holding me back from getting burnt..

How to Make a Cocoyea Broom

2012-02-09T07:00:00.005-04:00

Today was bright and sunny and the coconut tree in the backyard had a few branches bowed down, low enough to be pulled off the tree. To avoid it falling on anyone accidentally I grabbed them and pulled them down.....Instead of throwing them away in the big pile, I had an idea. Why not show my readers how to make a Cocoyea ( pronounced Ko-ki-ye ) broom? You all may be wondering what is Cocoyea,

Stuffed Sweet Peppers

2012-02-06T11:45:00.001-04:00

Sweet peppers....they're great in almost every cuisine we have on the island. We find it in fried rice, soups and adorning salads in every which way. Sweet peppers are truly a go between vegetable. But, what happens when it is the star attraction of a dish? It takes on a different persona and truly makes a delicious food experience. Lately, I stumbled upon a simple stuffed sweet pepper

Coconut Chicken

2012-01-21T18:22:00.001-04:00

Coconut has been a staple of the Trini diet from the time the Amerindians first came to this island. In fact,with the different races arriving on the island it was used even more as we became a "callaloo society" ( or is it a "chow mein society" ?) over the years. Now, with the health benefits gained from using coconut oil I believe that there has been a resurgence of it's use after many years

Exclusive Recipe: Vegetarian Pastelles

2012-01-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

This is a special pastelle recipe that I'm posting for you all for the NewYear. This is a veggie pastelle, and I believe this pastelle rivals all other veggie pastelle. I say this because this pastelle has a surprising mild sweet and tangy flavor along with the many flavourful seasonings we use in the filling for pastelles. It's a taste that has to be experienced. Experience comes when we

Simply Trini Cooking Calendar 2012

2012-01-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

Simply Trini Cooking is pleased to present it's 2012 calendar. As before: print, email, give away, share with your friends. It's my way of saying have a bright and prosperous New Year and thank you for your continued support. Please note that that calendar is only available for free through out newsletter Compere. It is free to join just sign up. Happy New Year to one and all. Sign up

That's a Wrap: Take Four!

2011-12-31T15:46:00.000-04:00

The time has truly flown by and another flavourful, delicious, mouthwatering, hunger inducing, eye candy, picturesque year has passed. Simply Trini Cooking has turned four ....Boy are we growing up now! ... and the journey has been a good one. Growth and progress was inevitable and more people have come to know the name Simply Trini Cooking in the blog verse. This year as I reflect on the

Christmas Cake

2011-12-31T04:01:00.001-04:00

There is always a cake on the table during the Christmas season, especially a fruit cake. In Trinidad the traditional black cake is usually crumbly-moist or sticky-wet and black; its moisture resulting from the excessive use of alcohol. Some people also like icing on their black cake, thus making the cake decadent. But I tend to stay away from cakes with icing - enough of all that sweetness

Turkey Stuffing

2011-12-31T03:09:00.003-04:00

Are you ready to stuff your turkey? First, put aside all that plain bread crumbs because this stuffing recipe calls for cornbread. Now, if you don't know how to make cornbread I have a wonderful cornbread recipe on the site. This cornmeal stuffing is flavorful and colourful as well. It is well suited for any time of celebration - Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, you name it. This