Pelau is a stew from Trinidad made with either beef or chicken. The unique flavor comes from searing the meat in caramelized sugar then simmering with rice, coconut milk, and pigeon peas. Serve accompanied...
This Cuban-inspired mojo marinade would work great as an all-purpose marinade for just about anything destined for the grill, but skirt steak is my top choice.
This is a Dominican version of fried chicken with added flavors. You'll fall in love with this recipe. You can serve it with Spanish white rice or you can serve it fried plantains (tostones).
This drink is probably the best drink I have ever had in my life! You make it with strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, ice, and lemon-lime soda. You can substitute red cream soda or your favorite flavor...
A definite party pleaser, these easy chicken empanadas (pastelillos as Puerto Ricans call them) are so delicious! I promise that you will receive rave reviews. They are so tasty with the right amount of...
Coquito is a popular Christmas coconut rum nog traditionally served in Puerto Rico. This is my mother's egg-free recipe which has an ice cream twist. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon or nutmeg and serve....
A Cuban creation, picadillo is one of the world's great ground meat dishes. I went with beef, but you can add some pork and/or chorizo. Serve it with rice.
Shrimp is one of my favorite weeknight meals, because it is so quick to prepare! The Cuban-style marinade is full of citrus flavors with a few surprises. Normally, "mojo" means a flavor based on Seville...
Cuban-inspired shrimp marinated in a mixture of orange juice, lime juice, and both zests to compensate for the hard-to-find bitter oranges. I serve it with white rice, crusty bread, a green salad, and...
This is one of my favorite Cuban foods. It reminds me of the countryside. I like this with black bean soup and rice and either platanos maduros (fried ripe plantains) or tostones (fried pressed plantains)....
This zesty recipe leaves your kitchen smelling awesome and your taste buds dancing! I have made this recipe with pork tenderloin and pork chops. My next attempt will be with chicken, and I will try baking...
This recipe was inspired by a take-out restaurant in Florida and perfected by my mother. For all of you who are looking for a different way to have your chicken, try this recipe! A favorite in this household....
Very tasty and your slow cooker does most of the work. Serve shredded pork in lettuce wraps or in corn tortillas. Top with pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, and avocado.
There are many variations of picadillo. This is a savory and traditional Cuban home-cooked meal with ingredients that are readily available in any supermarket. Do not omit wine, as it's really important...
Mofongo is a fried plantain-based dish from Puerto Rico. It is typically made with fried green plantains mashed together in a pilon (which consists of a wooden mortar and pestle), with broth, garlic, olive...
This is a basic West Indian curried chicken recipe. Extremely easy to prepare and delicious with standard Caribbean fare. Peas and rice go great with it!
This is a popular Cuban pork dish known as Lechon Asado. My version is a shortcut. The pork is simmered in a broth until tender, then shredded. It's traditionally served with black beans and rice.
A mouthwatering puree of Taro Leaves and crab served over rice or as a soup, it will leave you wanting more. If taro leaves are not available, you may substitute 2 packages of frozen spinach.
This is a unique Spanish breakfast custard that my Puerto Rican father loved as a child and something my mother made for us as we were growing up. It takes patience to whisk the custard for 25 minutes,...
I feel that the apple cider makes this jerk marinade unique, and a bit untraditional. Being from the apple country of Virginia, the apple cider was a natural. For added flavor, add apple or hickory wood...
If you've ever been to the Bahamas you'll love this dish.... It takes you back there. It's EASY, filling, well balanced, and good for a larger family or small gathering.
This tropical-inspired cheesecake features a ginger-coconut crust and two divine layers topped off with a fresh mango coulis. I like to make a coconut cream by adding coconut extract to whipped cream for...
You won't find the recipe anywhere other than the Cayman Islands! One of my favorite desserts growing up in Cayman. Very sweet and you will be wanting more!
For years, my family and I have been searching for a good, traditional-tasting coquito recipe. After having tried the whole egg yolk thing, simply adding ingredients to regular eggnog, and others, I found...
A fusion of African, Caribbean, and Spanish cuisine all wrapped up in a corn husk. This recipe is from my grandmother Mima and my mom who both spent long hours in the backyard in Cuba making these magical...
These exquisite pastries are a guilty pleasure in Puerto Rico, where bakeries boast about having 'the best'. The only hard part of these quesitos would be preparing the French puff pastry, but if you get...
This recipe is for hot sauce! Hot but flavorful. The consistency isn't a thin liquid like Tabasco®. It's a little on the thick side so it doesn't disappear when you put it on your food. Great with everything...
A Cuban lady down the street made these every Wednesday...wonderful stuff! She served the beans over a bowl of hot rice, and garnished them with salsa, a little sour cream, and shredded cheese. It was...