Cooking Addict

If you are longing for the soft sands of a Caribbean beach or have a yen for some flavorful Caribbean cuisine, you can learn to create a fantastic meal right in your own home. The Caribbean islands are renowned for the extensive menu of delicacies they offer.  

You may not be able to have a tropical vacation this year, but you can create the ambience of the islands and serve a great meal that will have your family thinking they are on holiday in a warm and exotic land instead of your family kitchen.

Ingredients to have on Hand

To create an authentic Caribbean meal there are a few ingredients you may want to have on hand. Allspice also called pimiento comes from trees of the Caribbean and it is made from the berries that are bursting with scent. Jamaican and French West Indies cuisine consider this spice a staple and it is said that is reminiscent of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Conch is the meat of a giant sea snail and is another staple of Caribbean cuisine. It is tasty prepared in soups, salads or stews. If you are unable to find conch at your local or specialty supermarket, bay scallops will do as a substitute.

Coconut milk is made by blending hot water with coconut that has been freshly grated. You can easily find this ingredient in your local market. Calabaza is the pumpkin of the Caribbean and the flavor has been likened to butternut squash. If you are creating a dish that calls for calabaza, you can substitute the squash if you cannot find it. Popular in Caribbean rice dishes is the annatto seed. It has been referred to as saffron for the poor man.

Creating a Caribbean night can be something the whole family will enjoy. You can decorate your home to reflect the mood, serve frozen fruity frozen concoctions, play some Caribbean rhythms and enjoy the feast you have prepared.

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