Enjoy Caribbean Dishes, Spare No Bones

Caribbean cuisine is a fusion of African, Creole, Cajun, Amerindian, European (French, Portuguese, British, Dutch, Irish, Spanish/Latin American), East Indian/South Asian, Persian, Arab, Chinese and Javanese/Indonesian cuisine.

These traditions were brought from many different countries when they went to the Caribbean. In addition, the population has created styles that are unique to the region.

Ingredients that are common in most islands' dishes are rice, plantains, beans, cassava, culantro, bell peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coconut, and any of various meats that are locally available like beef, poultry, pork or fish.

A characteristic seasoning for the region is a green herb and oil based marinade which imparts a flavor profile which is quintessentially Caribbean in character.

Ingredients may include garlic, onions, scotch bonnet peppers, celery, green onions, and herbs like culantro, marjoram, rosemary, tarragon and thyme.

This green seasoning is used for a variety of dishes like curries, stews and roasted meats.

Traditional dishes are so important to regional culture that, for example, the local version of Caribbean goat stew has been chosen as the official national dish of Montserrat and is also one of the signature dishes of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Another popular dish in the Anglophone Caribbean is called Cook-up, or pelau.

Ackee and saltfish is another popular dish that is unique to Jamaica.

Callaloo is a dish containing leafy vegetables spinach and sometimes okra amongst others, widely distributed in the Caribbean, with a distinctively mixed African and indigenous character.

The variety of dessert dishes in the area also reflects the mixed origins of the recipes.

In some areas, Black Cake, a derivative of English Christmas pudding may be served, especially on special occasions.

Over time, food from the Caribbean has evolved into a narrative technique through which their culture has been accentuated and promoted.

However, by studying Caribbean culture through a literary lens there then runs the risk of generalizing exoticist ideas about food practices from the tropical.

Some food theorists argue that this depiction of Caribbean food in various forms of media contributes to the inaccurate conceptions revolving around their culinary practices, which are much more grounded in unpleasant historical events.

Therefore, it can be argued that the connection between the idea of the Caribbean being the ultimate paradise and Caribbean food being exotic is based on inaccurate information.


Tourism Observer

Chicken Biryani Is What I Enjoy, Do You? Here Is How To Do It

Chicken Biryani, is a delicious Pakistani/Indian rice dish which is often reserved for very special occasions such as weddings, parties, or holidays such as Ramadan.

It has a lengthy preparation, but the work is definitely worth it.

For biryani, always use long grain rice.

Basmati rice with its thin, fine grains is the ideal variety to use.

Ghee is butter that has been slowly melted so that the milk solids and golden liquid have been separated and can be used in place of vegetable oil to yield a more authentic taste.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 small potatoes, peeled and halved
2 large onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken pieces cut into chunks
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
1 pinch powdered saffron
5 pods cardamom
3 whole cloves
1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound basmati rice
4 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions

- In a large skillet, in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or ghee) fry potatoes until brown, drain and reserve the potatoes.

Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden.

Add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes. Fry, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.

Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick.

Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are cooked to a pulp.

It may be necessary to add a little hot water if the mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to the pan.

- When the mixture is thick and smooth, add the chicken pieces and stir well to coat them with the spice mixture.

Cover and cook over very low heat until the chicken is tender, approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

There should only be a little very thick gravy left when chicken is finished cooking.

If necessary cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the gravy.

- Wash rice well and drain in colander for at least 30 minutes.

- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil (or ghee) and fry the onions until they are golden.

Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice.

Stir continuously until the rice is coated with the spices.

- In a medium-size pot, heat the chicken stock and salt.

When the mixture is hot pour it over the rice and stir well.

Add the chicken mixture and the potatoes; gently mix them into the rice.

Bring to boil.

Cover the saucepan tightly, turn heat to very low and steam for 20 minutes.

Do not lift lid or stir while cooking.

Spoon biryani onto a warm serving dish.

Prepare Yourself And Enjoy Chicken And Chorizo Jambalaya

Preparation Time: 15 minutes to 30 minutes

Serves: 4 Pax, plates or people

What you need: Chicken, Chorizo, Rice, Jambalaya, Capsicum

Ingredients

3 cups long-grain rice

1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

400g chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

2 chorizo sausages, sliced

1 onion, diced

2 celery sticks, diced

1 red capsicum, seeds removed, diced

1 green capsicum, seeds removed, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp sweet or traditional paprika

2 Tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

2 Tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

2 1/2 cups chicken stock

400g can diced tomatoes

2 tsp sugar

sea salt

handful fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

Method

1. Par-cook rice by boiling for 8 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch.

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a sauce¬pan or wok over high heat. Cook chicken and chorizo for 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside in bowl.

3. Reduce heat to medium-high and add onion, celery and capsicum to saucepan or wok. Cook for 5 minutes until just beginning to colour. Add garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano and cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Stir rice through vegetables with stock, tomatoes and sugar. Return chicken and chorizo to pan, bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender. Season with sea salt and pepper and stir through chopped parsley.

African Cuisine: Biltong,Fufu,Injera,Couscous,Ugali,Millet,Cassava,Matooke ,Rice

African cuisine is as diverse as the hundreds of different cultures and groups that inhabit the continent. This diversity is reflected in the many local culinary traditions in terms of choice of ingredients, style of preparation and cooking techniques. Many of the dishes are also affected by the subsistence nature of living in many parts of the continent – you find farmers, herdsmen and fishermen everywhere. The crops they grow or the animals they keep thus affect the popular dishes in their regions.

The dishes have also been influenced by foreign visitors and invaders. The food of North Africa has been heavily influence by the Phoenicians of the 1st century who brought sausages, followed by the Carthaginians who introduced wheat, then the nomadic Berbers adapted the semolina from wheat into couscous – a main staple diet in the region. From the 7th century onwards, the Arabs introduced a variety of spices, like saffron, cinnamon, ginger and cloves and, from the New World, they got chillies, tomatoes and potatoes.

In East Africa the Arab influence on cuisine is evident. Settling on the coast over 1,000 years ago, the Arabs sailed in with rice and spices, particularly noticeable in the Swahili foods of the coastal regions. They also brought lemons, organdies and domestic pigs from China and India. Next came the British Empire and with it Indian workers who brought their foods with them, such as spiced vegetable curries, lentil soups, chapattis and pickles. The British themselves also influence food by bringing in new breeds of sheep, cattle and goats along with high-quality coffee.

As we go more inland, even though cattle, sheep and goats are widespread in eastern Africa, they are often regarded as a form of currency and a store of wealth by pastoralists. So while they may be used for dairy products, they are not often used for their meat. Many people in the eastern region therefore rely heavily on mainly on grains, beans and vegetables, with fish providing protein in lake and river regions. One of the most widespread staples in eastern Africa, and in southern Africa too, is ground maize. Maize flour is cooked with water to form a stiff porridge or dough - called ugali, nsima or sadza, depending where you are.

It may be neighbouring East Africa but the food in the Horn of Africa is very different. Here the Islamic and Christian faiths have greatly impacted the food. There is no pork for starters, and as for Coptic Christians they adapted to the meat-free fast days with an increased use of pulses, lentils and chickpeas. The main traditional dishes in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine are very similar and both are dominated by tsebhis (stews) served with injera - a flatbread made from teff, wheat, or sorghum, also found in Somalia. In Somalia an interesting addition to their cuisine is pasta, which arrived with the Italians in the 1880s, and sweet dishes that came with the Arabs and Yemenis.

Just before the British and the Indians, the Portuguese came to Africa and introduced techniques of roasting and marinating. This is evident in East Africa with the nyama choma (roast meat) culture, but also in Southern Africa.

Southern Africa has the most varied cuisines of any region on the continent, this is a result of the blend of cultures – the indigenous African tribal societies, European and Asian populations. Most of the African ethnic communities have diets that include meat and milk, some vegetables and grains. The Portuguese influence saw the introduction of piri-piri (chilli seasoning) into the region, and the European settlers brought with them curing techniques that produced the infamous cured meat – biltong.

West and Central Africa were far less influenced by the European settlers. Centuries before the Europeans arrived, West African people were trading with the Arab world in spices and thus typically West African food is filled with hot spices. With the least contact with the “outside world”, Central African food remains the closest to traditional ingredients and cooking techniques. The only notable adoption of cassava, peanut, and Chile pepper plants arrived along with the slave trade during the early 16th century.

After careful consideration of the various regions and cross-boundary recipes here are the top 20 most popular dishes on the continent:


Biltong

Cured meat exported all over Africa, originally from South Africa


Fufu

Very popular in West Africa, it is made by boiling starchy food crops like cassava, yams or cooking plantains and then pounding them into a dough-like consistency


Mandazi

A form of fried bread, taken in sweet or savoury form, popular in East Africa

Injera

A sourdough-risen flatbread with a unique, slightly spongy texture, popular in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia


Jollof rice

The most popular rice dish in West Africa, the most common basic ingredients are rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, salt and red pepper


Chermoula

A mixture of herbs, oil, lemon juice, pickled lemons, garlic, cumin, and salt very popular in North Africa


Nyama Choma/ Braaivleis /Mechoui

Many different names and cooking techniques, but meat roast over charcoal is popular all over the continent


Couscous

Made from steamed and dried durum wheat, couscous has become a popular alternative to rice and pasta in North Africa


Garri

A popular West African starchy carbohydrate made from pounded and fermented cassava tubers


Kachumbari

A fresh tomato and onion salad dish popular in the cuisines of Madagascar, East Africa and the African Great Lakes region


Tagine

A historically Berber slow-cooked meat, chicken or fish dish from North Africa, named after the type of earthenware pot in which it is cooked.


Fried Plantain or Dodo

Found anywhere that plantains grow, this is a staple on the continent and served with meats dishes.


Shahan Ful

A vegetarian fava bean dish very common in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan.


Biryanis and Pilaus

With Indian origins, these rice dishes are fragrant and flavourful, mostly popular along the East African coast.


Suya

A spicy shish kebab-like skewered meat delicacy in West Africa.


Wat, We’t or Wot

A highly flavourful and spicy Ethiopian or Eritrean stew that is prepared with meat or a variety of vegetables.


Feijoada

A typically Portuguese stew of beans with beef and pork which is popular in southern Africa.


Mafé

A famous and popular West African stew with meat simmered in a sauce thickened with ground peanuts.


Sadza/Nsima/Ugali

Cooked with water to a porridge or dough-like consistency, this is the most common staple starch in East Africa, the Great Lakes region and southern Africa.


Piri Piri Sauce

A hot and fragrant sauce originally from Portugal but widely adopted in southern African cooking.

Chicken In Orange Sauce

This is one of those dishes that makes you feel quite pleased with yourself. Fast, easy, healthy, and more delicious than Chinese takeout – a series of winning propositions. You can prep pretty much all the ingredients ahead of time, making this a fantastic last-minute weeknight dinner.

The sweetness in the sauce makes this a dish that normally picky eaters will lean into. There’s plenty of sauce, too, which you’ll be happy about as you spoon it over hot rice or quinoa.

When you are feeding a group with one or more vegetarians in the mix, this kind of recipe makes life so much easier. Essentially you sauté up some chicken in one pan, some tofu in another, then divide up the simple sauce between the two.

Serve this meal with:

Clean & Spicy Asian Greens
Rice or quinoa

Chicken in Orange Sauce

Serves 6

3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
3/4 cup orange juice, preferably fresh
1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, or 1/4 cup regular soy sauce plus 2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon finely minced peeled fresh ginger
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (see Recipe Notes below for a tofu alternative)
Kosher or coarse salt
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
4 scallions, white and light green parts, sliced
Hot cooked rice (brown or white) or quinoa, for serving

Toasted sesame seeds, for serving (optional)

Whisk together the garlic, honey, orange zest and juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ginger, and pepper in a small bowl. Set the sauce aside.

Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a very large skillet or a wok over high heat. Add the chicken and sauté until it starts to turn white, 3 minutes. Add the sauce and scallions and cook until 
the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more.
Serve over hot rice or quinoa, with the sesame seeds sprinkled over if desired.
Recipe Notes

Tofu in orange sauce: Replace the chicken with 2 pounds extra-firm tofu, blotted dry and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. To get the tofu nicely browned, in Step 2, heat the oil in the skillet over high heat, and when very hot, add the cubes, which should sizzle and sear (watch for splattering). Cook the tofu, not moving it for at least 3 minutes, so it has a chance to brown on the bottom. Flip the cubes using a thin metal spatula (knowing some cubes will break) and continue to cook to brown the bottoms, 3 minutes more. Add the sauce and scallions and continue with the recipe.
If you want to make the dish half chicken and half tofu, use a pound of each, sauté them separately in two large skillets with a tablespoon of oil in each, and divide the sauce and scallions evenly between the pans. The cooking times are the same.
What the kids can do: Zest the orange and juice it (if you are using fresh juice). Kids of the right age can cut up the chicken (younger ones can tackle the tofu) with an age-appropriate knife.
Make ahead: The chicken or tofu can be cut up a couple of days ahead of time, and the sauce can be combined a couple of days ahead, and refrigerated, too.

Stewed Chicken "Dominican Style"

Sharing my dominican stewed chicken makes me so happy because this recipe is part of our tradition and culture. The pollo guisado dominicano, in spanish, is one of the main ingredients of "The Dominican Flag" of our cuisine, together with white rice and red beans. Why we call it so? Because we love this meal and is part of every dominican home. Who in our country haven't enjoyed this delicious food?

My mother cooks our dominican stewed chicken the traditional way by browning some sugar in oil, but I decided to make a sofrito instead. It's easier and I love the result. Try this recipe with my dominican stewed red beans and my white rice recipe. You'll be tasting our delicious dominican flag.

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs cut into medium pieces (you can mix with drumsticks and chicken breasts)
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground complete seasoning (Badia is the one I use, but if you have another,
go ahead and use it, just make sure it doesn't have any salt)
Ground pepper to taste (just a bit)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 big garlic cloves or 4 small ones, crushed or minced
1 cup minced white onions
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
5 stuffed olives cut into slices (optional)
3 cups water
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (I use Ragu flavored with meat 'cause it has veggies and tastes
really good)
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil (remember that extra virgin olive oil is healthier)
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Directions:

Let's start cooking this dominican stewed chicken recipe by washing the chicken in a bowl with water and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Cut it into medium pieces and season with salt, oregano, complete seasoning and ground pepper. Mix everything well.

From the cup of green bell pepper take 1/4 cup and add it to the chicken. Then measure 1/3 cup and set it aside in a small bowl. Repeat these steps with the cups of red bell pepper and minced onions. Take the bowl with the 1/3 portions of vegetables to the refrigerator, we'll use them later. Now we use the remaining vegetables for the sofrito.

Let's keep marinating the chicken with half of the garlic, half of the stuffed olives and 1/4 cup cilantro. Add 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons tomato sauce. Mix well and marinate for 20 to 25 minutes.

Preheat a large nonstick saucepan on medium high heat. Pour 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil. Saute the vegetables for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly with a nonstick cooking spoon to avoid scratching the saucepan. You can see my vegetables while cooking in the first picture to the right.

Add the 1/2 cup tomato sauce and mix (as I did in the second picture to the right). Cook for a minute, then add the chicken pieces one by one and set the liquid aside. Mix everything well and if it's dry, stir in 2 or 3 tablespoons of the marinade liquid you set aside.

Cook half covered, stirring frequently. Add the remaining 2 cups water to the marinade liquid and whenever the water in the saucepan consumes, pour in 1 or 2 large spoons of this liquid to the chicken and stir it carefully. I always check it often to avoid my chicken to dry too much and burn.

After aproximately 45 minutes and when the chicken is dry again, add the vegetables you kept in the refrigerator and the remaining marinade liquid. Stir and cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. I usually let my stewed chicken with some liquid, that way it isn't very thick at serving time.

You can accompany with my dominican stewed red beans and white rice. You'll see what a tasty combination is the "dominican flag" of our cuisine.