There’s something about the Caribbean that allures people from far and wide. Be it the stunning scenery, fantastic weather, or delicious food, there’s always something for everyone. So if you find yourself yearning for the Caribbean islands, why not bring a piece of it home?
With these delicious recipes for Caribbean food, you’re sure to have an authentic experience. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. Expand your culinary horizons today, and give these recipes a try.
1. Tostones
Plantains are abundant in Caribbean cuisine. These fruits look like bananas but are far less sweet and starchier. Usually, plantains are only eaten when cooked, with frying as the most popular method.
Also known as patacones, plantains are a delicious alternative to chips or french fries. Start with four or five unripe plantains, a cup of oil, and some sea salt.
Peel the plantains and cut them into 1-inch slices. Heat some oil in a pan and fry them for 4-5 minutes, flipping once. Take them out, squish them to half their initial thickness, and then throw them back in the pan for another 3 minutes.
Pat the plantains dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle with salt and enjoy. If you want an avo-cilantro dipping sauce, mash a ripe avocado with 1/4 cup source cream, 1 tbsp cilantro, and 1/8 tsp of salt and pepper.
2. Conch Fritters
This is a favourite in the Caribbean islands and one you aren’t likely to find anywhere else. All you need is the minced conch meat and the necessary ingredients for frying.
Gather vegetable oil, flour, cornmeal, milk, and eggs. Combine flour, cornmeal, and minced conch, then throw in some diced bell peppers. Once you whisk your milk and egg together, toss it in with your conch mixture and stir.
After that, all you need is your favourite Caribbean seasoning and a splash of lime added to your batter. If you want to try to make your own seasoning at home, try paprika, salt, thyme, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Don’t forget to add lime juice to the batter!
You’ll need a deep pot to immerse your fritters as you fry. Use a spoon to lower scoops of conch batter in, and fry for only 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Make a fantastic dipping sauce by combining mayo, lime juice, and a touch of paprika.
3. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
This one might be one of the most famous of all Caribbean dishes. The secret is in the Caribbean spices, Jamaican jerk spice, to be specific. Many family spice recipes claim to be the best, but buying one from a Caribbean grocer works too.
For this recipe, you’ll use chicken legs and thighs. Seasoned and roasted to perfection is how we’ll go, but minced or pulled jerk chicken is good too. Start by cleaning the chicken.
You’ll want the skin off and the chicken submerged in water. Brine the meat in 1/4 cup salt and one lime to enhance the flavour. You want all that goodness massaged into the chicken for 5 minutes.
Drain the water and do this one more time, then dry your chicken before seasoning. Poking tiny holes will allow you to incorporate all those spices. Apply your jerk spice mix onto the chicken by rubbing and rolling it in a bowl.
Let the chicken marinate overnight, then roast it at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes before flipping for one more hour. While this is roasting, make a quick pineapple sauce to slather on your chicken at the end.
Pineapple Sauce Makes the Difference
Throw 1 cup of ketchup, pineapple juice, barbeque sauce, and 1tbsp of your jerk seasoning into a bowl and mix. Coat your chicken during the last 10 minutes of roasting, and don’t be stingy.
Serve it with rice or on its own, with lime wedges or green onions as an optional garnish. Having a little extra pineapple sauce for dipping doesn’t hurt either. Another great way to enjoy Jerk meat is Jerk chicken pizza.
4. Keshi Yena
Originating in the small Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, this cheese and meat dish is to die for. It’s essentially a Caribbean cheese and meat pie.
You’ll need onions, garlic, bell peppers, scotch bonnet, parsley, and 750g of protein. You can use either ground beef or diced chicken.
Dice all your veggies and cook or sweat them down in a pan or skillet, starting with the onions and adding as you cook. Throw in your meat and cook it with the veggies. Once cooked, add some diced green olives, raisins, tomatoes, and a few capers if you have them.
Mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to taste will also elevate the dish. Be sure to drain any excess fat. Add salt and pepper to taste, cook for five more minutes, and let it cool.
After a few minutes, stir in some beaten eggs to bring them together. Preheat your oven to 350f and get your cheese ready. Gouda or Edam is traditional, but smoked cheese can add extra flavour.
Cover the bottom of your ramekin or casserole dish with cheese slices, then top it up with the meat mix. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until you get a nice brown crust. They’ll cook faster in a ramekin than in a casserole dish, so be sure to keep an eye on your dish.
5. Coconut Popsicles
When it comes to recipes for Caribbean food, you’ll probably never make something as easy as coconut popsicles. All you need are some popsicle moulds, a freezer, and a handful of ingredients. Start with one can of full-fat coconut milk, one can of sweetened condensed milk, a cup of heavy cream, and a cup of shredded coconut flakes.
You can opt for semi-sweet, but full sweet is the way to go for this dessert. Combine them thoroughly, and then pour your mix into the mould. It’s that simple.
You can even swap out the diary for vegan-friendly options too. Many new Caribbean recipes are vegan-friendly. Pull them out once they’re frozen and enjoy them in all their glory.
Great Recipes for Caribbean Food
There is no end to amazing recipes for Caribbean food when it comes to delicious dishes. As long as you can find a store where you can buy what you need, you can make them at home too. At Niyis.co.uk, we sell all the ingredients you’ll need for these dishes.
Contact us today or check out our site to see for yourself.
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