From the monthly archives:

November 2009

Ham with Sorrel and Sorghum Glaze

November 30, 2009

Last week I was delighted to come across this bottle of Sorey Sorey Soreal (a.k.a. sorrel drink), locally produced by A. Nibbs Sons and Daughters. Who could resist the unsophisticated charm of a homemade brew and its promise to make you feel joyous and merry? I know I couldn’t.

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The Year Without Leftovers

November 28, 2009

So another Thanksgiving has been put to bed. The kitchen is clean (I’m thankful for guests who help with the washing up), table linens are washed and folded, the turkey carcass is bubbling away for stock, and my refrigerator is full of leftovers. I over cater on purpose because really, aren’t leftovers the best thing about Thanksgiving? Turkey sandwiches for [...]

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A Caribbean Thanksgiving

November 25, 2009

The yeast dough for my rolls is rising in the refrigerator, the ham is baked and glazed, and the cranberry sauce can be checked off my to-do list. I’ve got my can opener at the ready for the green bean casserole and my iPod playlist is finished (an eclectic mix, as they say – Louis Armstrong, Sinatra, [...]

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Rich Turkey Stock

November 23, 2009

The house is filled with the scent of warm cinnamon, cornbread and roasting turkey, which means the holidays must be near. Though I will admit Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on me this year. I’m usually terribly organized by this time of year but it feels like we just got back from our summer holiday. However, I [...]

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How To Make Real Southern Biscuits

November 21, 2009

I don’t know if I’ll ever make roti with the skill and assurance of Devica. She’s got years of practice on me. Biscuits, on the other hand, are an entirely different story. I could make biscuits in my sleep. So can you, armed with the right ingredients and a little knowledge.

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Autumn Chicken and Vegetable Stew

November 18, 2009

A big storm blew through the BVI on Monday. Roads were flooded, trees were downed and the weather cooled off nicely. Well, cool for us, which means the temperature dipped to below 85 degrees, at least for the day. A day that cried out for stew. like this warm, homey Autumn Chicken and Vegetable Stew.
Autumn Chicken and [...]

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Rhum Agricole

November 12, 2009

A big storm blew through the B.V.I. last night, bringing several hours of non-stop thunder and lightning. Mother Nature put on a light show as impressive as anything I’ve seen in a while. It’s still gray and rainy today, which means I’m making a stew for dinner tonight. And after dinner, something fine and warming, like [...]

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Chicken Pelau

November 9, 2009

Audrey was raised on it. Devica never goes to the beach without a pot of it. It reminds me of a Caribbean jambalaya. It’s dark, rich, and hearty, without being overly heavy. What is it? Why it’s pelau, Trinidad style. And it’s good, especially made by Devica.

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Egyptian Lentils and Rice

November 8, 2009

By special request, I’m posting the recipe for the Egyptian lentils and rice I wrote about here last week. In her lovely book, The Arab Table, May S. Bsisu says that “Egyptian food has the reputation for being bland, but any home cook there will tell you that this criticism should be reserved for the country’s [...]

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Diet for a Happy Planet

November 4, 2009

Remember used bookstores? They seem to be a dying breed and I miss them. When I was in North Carolina picking up Audrey from camp this summer, I had a few hours to spare and wandered around Black Mountain, near Asheville. I managed to stumble on a wonderful shop called Black Mountain Books, a welcome change from all [...]

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