Making it Paradise...bits of Bajan life

There is much debate about what beverage is best for cooling down on super hot tropical days like the ones we have been having recently here in Barbados. Despite being a religious water advocate, water just cannot cut it on these days, or at least if it does by afternoon you have a most bloated uncomfortable feeling (at least I do) due to the volume you are forced to consume. Anyone who knows me, knows my go-to drink on a hot day (well, maybe any day) is an ICE COLD BANKS beer. However, Stag beer has recently been giving Banks a run for its money, due to smart pricing at 4 for $10. They are much the beer of choice at any event and as a result, I have imbibed  my fair share. Let me admit though that this is the only reason I drink Stag. It's claim of being "A man's beer" might have something to do with this, because I find it a very harsh tasting lager. With an Alcohol By Volume of 5.5%.  in comparison to Bank's 4.7% no wonder I find it strong for my beer pa...

I have to make a confession. Recently I have been cheating on flying fish ...A LOT...with potfish.  I know I used to be a die hard flying fish girl and who could argue..... it is such a soft, delicious, quick and easy to prepare fish. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that while I LOVE flying fish steamed, noone else in my family does, they only like it fried and while I grew up attacking fish heads on a regular (lol) my children find this head on business traumatizing (little punks). And so, I have been scouting for new fish to add to my menu. Dolphin or Mahi-Mahi as we now call it (being very politically correct for tourists traumatized by their own nightmares of eating Flipper) is pretty OK too along with the other big fish offered in the market, but with pollution and mercury issues I try to refrain from eating big fish. So enter my new love affair with little fishes! You must know however that potfish is not easily available at every fish market. I am now actu...

If you have never eaten gooseberries you are seriously missing out... check out my daughter "enjoying" these sour delicacies...lol The gooseberry most common here Barbados is the Amlak gooseberry.  The fruit grow in compact clusters making for abundant harvests......YES!!!!! This particular variety of gooseberry is known as the lucky tree in Thailand and is called star gooseberry. The Indians produce an excellent oil from the seed for the hair called Amla Oil. It works wonders for softening and darkening hair. In fact,  some of you may be reading and thinking these are not gooseberrie and indeed they are not the gooseberyy common to more temperate zones. In fact I do have an actual gooseberry shrub which I purchased at Agrofest some two years ago. Notice the difference! But....back to the gooseberries in the house! My sister called yesterday from her sis-in-law's wanting to know how could she use up a bumper crop. Well needless t...

Now that title must be a shocker but hell yeah, I love to bajanise all cuisine ...lol So, yesterday I did my usual roasted chicken which lasts for two days. BUT when time came to prepare a starch I was not sure if I could take another two days of peas n rice (hope they don't take away my ID card), and out of the blues I decided to make Mexican yellow rice. Well who can make yellow beans without black bean stew? I sure can't so out cane the pressure cooker and 10 minutes later tomatoes, peppers, onions, thyme, marjoram, cilantro, garlic added I had the most delicious black beans imaginable. Time was limited due to school assignments so I turned to my trusted green salad. I have recently discovered how sweet  Brussels sprouts are raw and they have been appearing shaved in my salads A LOT! Enjoy the pics becuz I sure enjoyed the dish. :)    Yellow rice              Black bean stew with fresh tomatoes Green salad, lots of ...

 As a prime tourism destination, Barbados is home to many great restaurants. Literally, food from all cultures across the globe are represented on this small rock. Unfortunately, most of these restaurants are quite pricey and the average Bajan usually opts for Chefette's BarBQ Barn (think of an upscale version of BBQ's, if you are a New Yorker) when a bit more than fast food is required. Well., I am very much a cosmopolitan girl who loves eating out as much as I love cooking, and I think I have infused my children with this passion well. I love the entire dining experience and consider it to be a rather sensual affair.... I love the smell of warm bread rolls (preferably with herbs), the condensing water glasses, the aromas of each dish, enjoying wine with food, the chatter and laughter of diners, the intimate lighting...I simply love it all. And no place on this rock do I love it more than Champers Restaurant.   Located on Skeete's Hill just a stone's throw away ...