Cocktails From Around the World: Sint Maarten Guavaberry Colada

Guavaberry Emporium (Photo credit: flickr user goodcop)

Located on Front Street, Philipsburg is the Guavaberry Emporium where the "Legendary Island Folk Liqueur" of St. Maarten is made. Guavaberry liqueur is made from a locally grown wild berry found in the central hills. The Guavaberry brand has become an essential part of the island's culture and it is there at the Emporium that the island's Guavaberry Colada cocktail was invented. Next time you're in Philipsburg, stop by the Emporium for a free tasting of this delicious cocktail.

Good Old Fashioned Bajan Mauby Drink

Photo Credit: rawexperiences.typepad.com

Mauby is a bitter-sweet, cold beverage found throughout the Caribbean, made from boiling the bark of the tree bearing the same name (colubrina elliptica) and flavoring the resulting bitter liquid with a variety of spices and brown sugar. Though every island has it's "perfect" blend, the truth is that it is an acquired taste - you either love Mauby or you hate it, there are no in betweens.

Tropical Fruit Wine-Making - Mango Wine

When I'm in the mood for wine, I usually just buy it from the store or a winery. I have never ventured into wine-making at home, though many islanders are known for making homemade wines from almost any fruit in season. In terms of quality I would say these wines are quite good too. If you are brave enough to try it, here's a tried and true recipe for Mango Wine. Cheers!

Fish In Wine Sauce - Caribbean Style

Photo Credit: Flickr user jgal

When you live in the Caribbean, one thing is for certain, you tend to eat a lot of fish! There just seems to be an abundance of all kinds of fish, especially at this time of year when many have decided to give up meat and turn to fish for a source of protein. I came across the following recipe in The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & The Caribbean, and I loved it so much I decided to share it! I find that it works well with fish like Tuna, Red Snapper, Mahi-Mahi and King Fish. Bon Appetit!

Pavlova and Great Australian Wine - Let's Celebrate!

January 26th is a day that all Australians come together to celebrate all that's great about being Australian and living in Australia. Of all the things that identify them as a people and destination, like their charming accent, the endless beaches, wildlife, great outback, barbecues, superb snorkeling off the Great Barrier reef and world famous wines, Australia is also known for a scrumptious dessert called, Pavlova.

Curried Lamb and Vegetable Chow Mein

(photo flickr user mswine)



As requested by @savorthethyme here is my Recipe for Curried Lamb and Vegetable Chow Mein. It's what's for dinner tonight!

Ingredients
1 lb Lamb Stew Meat
3/4 cup Leeks sliced
3 tbps Bajan Seasoning
3 tbsp Curry Powder
3 tbsp Red wine
1/2 Maggi cube
200 g or half pack of Chow mein noodles
2 cups Broccoli
2 medium potatoes cubed
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Ketchup
Black Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp Clove
Water for cooking

Method
1. Marinate Lamb with leeks, seasoning, soy sauce, red wine, curry powder, black pepper and clove.
2. Brown meat on stove approx 5 mins on medium-high heat
3. Add water and let simmer on low heat. Keep adding water as it drys out and continue to simmer.
4. When meat is almost tender add potatoes and more water. Wait 5 minutes.
5. Add broccoli and then chow mein noodles. Add maggi cube. Stir.
6. Let cook on medium heat, stirring often until noodles are done.

Serve hot | Serves 3 - 4
Enjoy!

NB. Measurements are approximate. I rarely measure when I'm cooking from my head. Feel free to experiment - add more or less according to your tastes

Recipe Spelled D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R? Not at all!

(photo by flickr user kevincrumbs)



It's funny how recipes are created, invented if you would. When you really sit and think about how did that recipe you have come into being? Was it because you had none of this but some of that? That your taste buds told you a dash of this and a cup of that would produce culinary excellence? Was it perhaps that you were traveling somewhere and something caught your eye and your brain immediately started wondering how it would go with such and such that's been sitting in your cupboard for the longest time? It's just so fascinating.

I think cuisine is just like fashion in the sense that it comes from feeling, creativity, passion. I can't recount how many times I would start to cook a meal and just feel my way through it. Well that's exactly what I did this weekend. While traveling, and visiting friends I decided to cook up something special. Now when you're cooking in someone else's kitchen you quickly realise that you don't have all your "special" ingredients - this could spell D I S A S T E R! Or it could spell the creation of something pleasantly delicious!

Monterey Jack Raisin Cucumber Salad

Ingredients
1 medium sized cucumber peeled and diced
1/2 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped celery
Dash Black Pepper
3 tbsp Ranch Dressing
Turkey bacon bits (optional)

Method

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve chilled.



I wanted to make a salad and those were the ingredients at hand! Enjoy...

Fresh Homemade Golden Apple Juice - It's a Bajan Delight!

For those of you who don't know what Barbadians (Bajans) call Golden Apples, it's a fruit known as a June Plum, that can be described as having the flavor of a cross between a young mango and a pineapple. Needless to say it's deliciously tangy!

I don't know if November is Golden Apple month, but lately my uncle has been bringing bags and bags of Golden Apples for us and since we can't eat all, why not make some Golden Apple Juice - a Bajan favorite?!

So here's what I've been making today. Give it a try, you'll love it!

Golden Apple Juice

Ingredients:
Golden Apples/June Plums (not too ripe) (the quantity is up to you - if you're like me, it's too many to count)
Freshly squeezed lime juice to taste (optional)
Brown sugar to taste
Angostura Bitters
Nutmeg
Spice
Water

Method:



1. Wash golden apples and cut into pieces (leave the skin on for better tasting juice).



2. Place golden apple pieces in a blender and add enough water to puree. Blend on high speed until pureed.







3. Strain puree using a strainer and a large spoon. You may need to do this 2 or 3 times.



4. Dilute juice with water and add sugar and lime juice and angostura and spices to taste. Stir and Strain again.



5. Chill and shake before pouring. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving From Afar

It's been a while since I last posted and that's because I've been swamped with work and travelling and working and travelling some more! I've finally found ... no Made some time to write a post and what better thing to post about than Thanksgiving!

In Barbados, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but I had the pleasure of experiencing an American Thanksgiving a couple years ago when I was in California. I must say it is a most splendid occasion. For one day people are actually thankful for what they have, unlike other holidays when people are upset about what they didn't get. Maybe that's what makes it such an enjoyable holiday!

This year, I'm thankful for many things - for love of friends and family, for a job (especially in today's economy!), for a home, for health, for peace in my life...for everything I've got and even for the things I don't. One of the highlights for me this year was getting engaged to the love of my life! So even though I won't be in the USA this Thanksgiving, I've still got plenty to be thankful for.

So while many are feasting on Turkey, pie and more pie, I will be reminiscing on my last Thanksgiving and looking forward to the next. I'll be getting ready to celebrate Independence Day in Barbados (Nov 30th)...and I'll also be dreaming about eating these exciting foods that I found on Foodista. May it give you some inspiration this Thanksgiving!

And of course, I've gotta have a good cocktail! I'm a sucker for Pina Colada!

Seychelles - An Unforgettable Dream Vacation

Whenever work was super slow, I'd pass the time by "traveling" to a destination I'd never heard of or been to via the internet. Then I'd day dream and imagine what it would be like to visit that place, and I'd plan a trip there as if I were fortunate enough to actually afford it. Yes I'd look for the most luxurious hotels and just gaze at the photos, imagining myself laying on the soft fluffy bed or sitting on the balcony with my gourmet breakfast while taking in the fresh crisp air blowing across the sparkling water and believe that it was blowing just for me..aahhh! And then I'd look at the restaurant photos and the menus, and pretend to order everything that looked good on the menu as if the chef were my personal chef. Have you ever done this? If you haven't let me tell you it's almost as good as traveling for real. In fact it's better because there are no airport layovers, rude travelers, or bad service and you never ever run out of money!


So that's what I did one painfully slow day I work. I packed my bags and took a trip over to Seychelles. Now where on earth is Seychelles? Seychelles (a multilingual nation with French, English and Creole being the main languages), I found out is actually located in the western Indian Ocean , approximately 1000 miles off the eastern coast of Africa. Yeah it's way out there, that's why I have to dream. What I found fascinating about this destination is that it is made up of 115 islands...yes you read correctly...1-1-5!! Wow that could make for a neverending vacation! And what's even more fascinating is that some of the islands are granitic (said to be the oldest and probably the only mid-oceanic islands of this kind) and some are coralline which presents an exciting combination of flora and fauna. Of the 115 islands though, only about 5 are the main centres of attraction. However, if you happen to be wanting to shed a few million dollars, who knows maybe you could own a little piece of paradise. But if you're like me, (yes I know this is a dream but I'm trying not to be too out of this world) then the main islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, Alphonse and Desroches are where we want to be!

So here I am on Mahé (the largest island), and I can't wait to reach my hotel. Since I'm dreaming I will stay at the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa....this place captivates me. Just visiting their website took my breath away as I listened to the ever so gentle, hypnotic rhythms of the wind dancing with the harp and piano (at least that's what it sounds like). I chose to stay here because it looks like the kind of place you can only dream of - it's small and intimate - and oh so luxurious. I had a Villa all to myself, complete with a personal butler and panoramic views of the ocean...Ahhhh. Talk about a holiday for the soul. This place is nestled amongst the flora as though the two were formed from the earth together. Lush, scented, well manicured gardens entice you, beckoning you to stop and stare....and I do because I've got all day.

My room is everything I dreamed it would be - private, with panoramic views of the diamond kissed waters of the Indian Ocean. There's nothing to interrupt my view, nothing to interrupt my pleasure - no demanding boss, no unruly tourists, no loud music, no kids screaming - just the sound of the waves dancing with the sand and the breeze playing with my hair and running laps about my body...mmmm. I don't want to wake up. Let me stay here forever. I've got my own private verandah, an infinity pool, a private outdoor sunken bath that allows me to gaze at the stars while I enjoy a jasmine scented bath(and I've even got all the technological comforts of home if I want to stay connected). I just don't know how to act! Can you imagine honeymooning in a place like this? I guarantee you'd never forget it!



As if that's not enough to totally relax me. I decide to indulge a little bit more. So I head over to the Spa. Like Queen Latifah in the movie "Last Holiday", I'm about to live it up! Ooh I'm gonna get an Island Pleasure Combo - yes I'm gonna get my skin polished and exfoliated, and then I'm gonna get it massaged ... ahhh so invigorating! I'm glistening from head to toe with skin I thought had left me for good when I turned 3yrs old.

Now I'm just plain hungry! What's good to try? I'm in luck! Their restaurant Tec Tec is the only gourmet restaurant on Mahé. Ooh can't have a dream holiday without a treat for my culinary senses now can I ?! Then I wouldn't be dreaming right. Since I'm on the all-inclusive plan, I can have whatever I want. I can have the Chef prepare something just for moi! (I knew this dream was gonna be good!). I think I'll have my personal butler organize a fabulous meal for me right next to the ocean. Yes that's what I'll do. And it'll come with a perfectly paired bottle of wine - the best there is - money is no concern of mine. I hear the food here can be described as Meditteranean and having the rich textures of French cuisine, the exotic spices of Indian food and the spicy flavors of the Orient. Mmmm ...now my journey is complete.

What's that you say? What about things to do? Well who says I want to do anything on my dream vacation?! (Okay okay we'll do at least one thing) Let's see ... Oh I know, let's visit the local markets and see what treasures await. And then let's island hop! Just get out on the ocean blue and "discover" every bay and atoll - robinson crusoe style. Let's go snorkelling while we're at it, then stop for an unforgettable gourmet lunch at a secluded beach. Yes! I'm loving these things to do.

May you please speak to our technical staff? Excuse me? Who are you, what are you doing in my dream and what are you talking about? Oh yeah! I'm at work... I guess this is where the dream ends...but first chance I get, I'll be right back on Seychelles.

Here's a recipe I found online for a taste of Seychelles:

Seychelles Fish Curry (adapted from BBC.co.uk)

Ingredients

For Masale

2 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp black peppercorns

1 tsp cardamom pods

1 tsp cloves

Small piece of cinnamon

1 tsp ground chilli

1 tsp grated nutmeg

For Curry

2lb Snapper

Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste

2 tbsp Canola oil

2 onions, chopped

½ tsp ground turmeric

2 cloves garlic, chopped

small piece ginger, shredded

3 tbsp tamarind water

2 sprigs thyme

1tsp flat leaved parsley

450ml fish stock or water

Method

To make the masale, take all the whole spices and dry roast them until lightly colored.

Then grind the nutmeg and chili and stir them in.

To make the curry, cut the fish into small pieces, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onion until golden. Stir in the massalé and turmeric and sautee.

Add the fish, and all the other remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the fish is cooked.

Serve with basmati rice.

Enjoy! While on Seychelles be sure to try out these other dishes: Chatini, Daube, Soupe de tectec, Bourgeois grille, Bouillon brede, Chauve-souris or Fruitbat, and Cari Bernique.

St. Kitts - 69 square miles of Peace and Relaxation

Having grown up on an island (Barbados to be exact) it is sometimes very easy to take for granted the pristine, diamond kissed waters of the Caribbean Sea, the swaying palms, warm sunshine and cool refreshing breezes. And so the thought of visiting another Caribbean island - as opposed to a big city filled with endless shopping, amusement parks, subways, fast food and broadway shows - doesn't often cross one's mind when planning a trip. After all aren't all islands alike - sun, sea, sand? What could one island have to offer over another? Well I'll tell you...


As you may or may not know, all islands are not formed equally. Some islands are the result of volcanic activity while others are formed by coral polyps growing together to form a land mass. St. Kitts is a volcanic island. This fact alone makes it different from my homeland. Lush tropical vegetation and majestic central mountains adorn this little island. Added to that the warmth of the people and care free pace of life - it's the ultimate island getaway if you want to truly getaway from it all. Imagine a place where there are no traffic jams, no overcrowded beaches, and no loud noise preventing you from hearing the waves lap the sand as it slowly lulls you to sleep....Imagine St. Kitts.



Now don't get me wrong, the people are very much alive and there's lots to do like golfing, gambling(yes there's a casino at the Marriott), island hopping, taking a scenic railway tour, carnivals and more - but if you just want to sleep all day go right ahead. Me? I wanted adventure as always! So I got out there and took an island tour. You might think that a place that's only 69 sq miles wouldn't have much to see. But you'd be wrong. I didn't even get to see all the places I wanted to (so I guess that means another visit is pending). The places I did see were well worth the visit though. One place that stood out was Caribelle Batik. In all my life I have never seen so many different styles of batik clothing for men, women and children all in one location. It was a case of "too much choice dilemma" as we say in the islands. I was impressed. Needless to say I bought a nice wrap (which came with an instruction manual for different ways to wear it..amazing!) and a summer dress. The others with me bought shirts, wraps and dresses - and we were all eager to wear them. If you want authentic Caribbean wear...and a nice souvenir for friends this is a winner. Trust me!


Another place that stood out to me was the last possible stop on the southern tip of St.Kitts where you can look across the water and see their sister island, Nevis. There we found a rustic little restaurant/bar right by the water, next to a pier. This was the most hilarious stop of all. A bunch of us including children were all sitting around looking at the water when this huge pig came over to check out the new arrivals. Of course it scared the living daylights out of all of us, which then caused us to all break out laughing hysterically. Wilibur is his name! Yes the big brown pig is a regular in these parts and he wanted to give us a warm hello.



Now my trip would not have been complete without some "real" adventure. St. Kitts is actually the first place that I rode a quad bike and if I'm honest I would have to say that it's the best all terrain tour I've ever been on. It was like a roller coaster ride, up and down steep rugged hills, and in and out of lush forest and fields of cane....mind you I was terrified at first but boy did I have a blast riding at top speed and experiencing a true off road adventure!




So if you're ever tempted to think that all islands are alike...DON'T! Each has something unique to offer whether it be the people, the food, the landscape, the history or the way of life.


Now for a taste of the islands with this exotic yet truly refreshing drink perfect for the hot summer days.

Cherry Coconut Fizz

Ingredients

2 parts Fresh Coconut Water
1 part Cherry Flavored Carbonated Beverage

Method

Mix ingredients together and serve chilled.