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caribbean food

RGBHV
RGBHV Posts: 1,318
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
We're having a party soon for about 50 guests with a caribbean theme.

The tiki bar is almost done, we've got some steel drums lined up and want to do some caribbean cooking on the egg.

My knowledge of caribbean cooking is limited to "jerk" dishes, but I haven't made any before.

I looked in the recipe section and found a few ideas and would appreciate your input.

I'm thinking finger foods, but I'm open to trying a few dishes before the party to see if they'll work.

Your input will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

Comments

  • Richard Fl
    Richard Fl Posts: 8,297
    Just stay away from Celtic Wolf's favorite cow hoofs.

    http://www.caribvoice.org/recipes.html

    Just did some black eyed peas, rice and cooked the peas for 45 minutes with a few scotch bonnets for flavor.Cooked the brown basmati rice separate, then mixed the two. Nice side dish. arice
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Thanks for the input Richard.

    The rice dish does sound like a nice side.

    I think I'll try the shrimp dish too.

    I wanted to try something with Plantain too.

    Michael
  • Richard Fl
    Richard Fl Posts: 8,297
    Here is one idea.

    Plantain, Fried, Tostonos De Platanos


    INGREDIENTS:
    3 cups water
    3 green plantains, peeled and cut dia, 1 inch
    1 slice
    3 garlic, chopped
    3 tsp salt
    vegetable oil for deep frying




    Procedure:
    1 In large bowl, combine water, plantains, garlic and 2 3/4 teaspoons salt. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain plantains well, reserving liquid. Dry plantains on paper towels. In large skillet, heat 1/2" oil until deep-fat thermometer registers 375 degrees. Add plantains and fry 7 minutes. Drain plantains on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, use palm of hand to flatten plantains to 1/4" thickness. Dip plantains in reserved liquid and dry on paper towels. Refry plantains in hot oil until crisp and golden; drain on paper towels. Lightly sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt over plantains and serve hot.
    2 NOTES : A staple of the Hispanic diet, the starchy green bananas known as plantains are often deep-fried and served as an appetizer.
    3 Contributor: Country Living magazine, 11/97


    Servings: 6

    Recipe Type
    Side Dish, Vegetarian

    Recipe Source
    Author: Lloyd

    Source: BBQ List, Lloyd, 1999/03/03
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    The Enchiladas could be a nice finger food. That way everyone could get a taste.

    I like the idea of having several dishes that evryone can sample.

    Michael
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Oh, I get this...

    I say a word, you provide me with a nice recipe...Ha! Ha!

    How about Roti ! or a nice pork dish with pineapple !

    You guys are the best!

    Michael
  • FlaPoolman
    FlaPoolman Posts: 11,677
    Did you find the tile you were looking for?
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    The counter top is taking longer than I thought. That's all I have left.

    Your colleauge advised that his tile (and many others) wouldn't survive the Canadian climate.

    I'm stuck ! I'm not sure how to finish the counter top now.

    Michael

    PS thanks for the referral though!
  • FlaPoolman
    FlaPoolman Posts: 11,677
    Let me know what your looking for and I'm sure I can find it
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    I'm looking for some tiles that I can use outdoors as a counter top for the tiki bar (see OT forum pic - tiki bar distraction).

    I thought I'd use some tiles (frogs, fish, gekos, turtles, lobster, palm trees, that kind of stuff - maybe even pink elephants - cheese is o.k.)

    The tiki bar is outside so it's exposed to 100+ F degrees in the summer and -20F in the winter.

    If you have can point me in the right direction, that woule be great.

    I'm actually thinking that I might get someone to paint something and then cover it with epoxy, lacquer, or something???

    Michael
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Michael,


    Minus twenty in the winter B) Wish I lived in the banana republics. And where are you gettin the 100 this year? I went to the granite store yesterday and they said it would be fine. Give me a call.

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Michael,

    I think homemade patties would work well. I sometimes fry fresh snapper on the egg in cast iron. Curried goat is awesome and really easy. Rice and peas are great too.

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Hi Steve:

    I did the C to F conversion...

    -20 F, that's about -28C, we get the odd day (as I'm sure you do) when it's closer to -40 C but we usually save that for Alberta and Nunavet.

    In terms of 100 F - with the humidty, we were around 100 F earlier this summer. ok, maybe 90+, but we were close. I don't know what happened this summer but we're usually good for a couple heat waves in July/August - it doesn't look like that will happen this year.

    Granite...my pockets are that deep in my dreams. If you've got a solution for me (tile or otherwise), shoot me your number and I'll give you a shout.

    Michael
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Got any recipes for pattis? I guess they're similar to the enchaldas Ross mentioned.

    I thought about goat. I've never done that before.

    We're thinking about partying Aug 29th so I've got some time to practice several cooks.

    Hopefully the counter top will be done by then.

    Michael
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    I will do. I do have a solution.

    S

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • FlaPoolman
    FlaPoolman Posts: 11,677
    I think I can find them. I have a few other suppliers I can check with on Monday.
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    That would be great - thanks Pat!

    Michael
  • GOAT....GOAT....GOAT! You'll love it and it's VERY Caribbean. You could also make some Beef Pasties, Rice and Peas (BEANS), chicken, Kalalou. You need to get some Tamarind paste and makes cocktails with it.....Rum punches....Rum swizzles. Snapper cooked in banana leafs. I lived in Antigua for awhile and I hate chicken and goat every day......rarely ate fish....pretty weird, but not much of it around. The Chinese and Russians have really over fished the waters. The Prime Minister of Antigua did a wonderful job of selling out the Antiguans and many of the other Caribbean countries for money from the Chinese government for a pipe dream!

    Have a great party!
  • I agree with Richard the Plantain, Fried or Tostonos De Platanos are fantastic. :)
  • EGGARY
    EGGARY Posts: 1,222
    Bobby Flay did a Throwdown of Jerk Steak. You might want to look it up on the Food network website. The guy that Bobby Flay went against won the Throwdown.


    good luck.

    Gary
    Canoga Park, Ca.
  • Big'un
    Big'un Posts: 5,909
    As far as the countertops go, you could use granite tiles or even do a concrete top with an acid stain finish of caribean figures, turtles,seahorses etc. Beautiful!!!

    Dominican Mangu - Our Answer to Mashed Potatoes
    .
    INGREDIENTS:
    .
    4 green Platano bananas (remove the skin and cut in 3 inch pieces)
    2 teaspoons of salt
    1 cup of water
    ½ cup of whole milk
    ½ cup of cold water (place water in your refrigerator before using, so it is cold)
    5 Tablespoons of American cheese or other cheese that you like (grated or cut into small pieces so it well blend well and melt easier)
    ½ stick of butter (cold)
    5 strips of bacon
    Salt to taste.
    .
    PREPARATION:
    .
    In a large saucepan, Place your cut Platano bananas and add sufficient room temperature water (or from tap) to cover the bananas for boiling. Add 2 teaspoon of salt to the water. Cook or boil the bananas for 20 or 25 minutes, until soft. You do not need to boil the water first, simply place the bananas on the stove with water to begin.
    .
    Add additional water to replace the water that has boiled off, and with a lid now on the saucepan, cook for another 15 minutes.
    .
    Remove from the stove and drain off the water in your saucepan completely. Mash the bananas with a potato masher (or something similar) ~ adding the cold water from the refrigerator, ½ cup of whole milk and your cheese that you like (you may also add chopped sweet onions if you like). After this mixture has come to the consistency of what else ~ mashed potatoes ~ Add ½ stick of lightly salted butter.
    .
    In a frying pan, fry the 5 bacon strips. Drain off the fat from the bacon and add it to your already prepared Mangu, blending well with a wooden spoon. If you like, you may also cut the bacon into small pieces and add this also (this is optional)
    .
    Your Mangu is Ready!
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    All great suggestions.

    I have some time to try out a lot of dishes befor the party - which is what I intend to do.

    Thanks,

    Michael
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Thanks Big'un!

    I've heard about concrete counter tops on those home reno shows. That just might do the trick. I'll need to do some research on the acid stain.

    Thanks for the mangu recipe. I'll give that a try.

    Michael
  • RGBHV
    RGBHV Posts: 1,318
    Thanks Gary:

    There were lots of interesting Caribbean receipes on the web site.

    Michael