Outstanding Cook Up Rice (#Ital #Vegan #Glutenfree)

May 28, 2025June 8, 20203 Comments

Cook-up or cook-up rice is one of those classic one-pot Caribbean meals mom would usually do on a Saturday (when she didn’t do a soup). However Mom’s usually came loaded with chicken, beef or salted meats, but in this version I like skipping the meat .. without sacrificing flavors for and iconic meal. Served HOT!

You’ll Need…

1 medium onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (smashed)
4 sprigs thyme
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 scallions (chopped)
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper (diced)
1 carrot (cut into 1/2 cm wheels)
3/4 cup red beans (from a can – rinsed)
1 teaspoon turmeric
10 okra (1/2 inch chop)
1 large sweet potato (cubed)
1 1/2 cups squash (or pumpkin \ cubed)
2 cups long grain par-boiled brown rice
2 cups spinach
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
2 1/2 cups veg stock
1 teaspoon salt (adjust)
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)

Important! If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the veg stock you use.

Heat oil in a deep/wide pan on a medium flame, then add the onion, garlic, thyme, scallions and black pepper. Turn the heat down to low and cook for about 3 minutes.

Add the scotch bonnet pepper (no seeds unless you want it spicy) and carrot, stir well, then add the beans and cook on low for another 2-3 minutes.

Add the turmeric, turn the heat to medium and add okra, stir. In now goes the sweet potato and squash (pumpkin will work too). At every point (when we add ingredients to the pot) stir well.

Go in with the washed rice and mix. Fold in the spinach along with the coconut milk and vegetable stock. Scrape the bottom of the pot as there will be some caramelization (flavors) develop at the bottom of the pot. Add the salt and bring to a boil.

As far as ‘washing” the rice is concerned.. this is to remove extra starch and grit as a result of the process of taking out the husk off the grains. So we’ll cover the rice with cool water in a bowl, massage with our hands, discard that water and repeat until that water is somewhat clear. Or rise under running water in a strainer, until the water runs clear – That’s “Washed” rice.

Lid on when it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow the rice to fully cook and go plump. For a more creamy cook-up, stir the pot a bit and the rice will release more of it’s starch in the process.

25 minutes later, taste for salt and adjust… leave it ‘wet’ or you can remove the lid and burn off the liquid which remains. Toss in the parsley and you’re pretty much done. Note that the residual heat on a heavy pot will continue to cook the rice and thicken it up (after you turn off the stove).

For this classic dish, I like having a side of Tomato Choka as a side or condiment for an extraordinary vegan meal.

Gluten Free Vegan

Curry Chataigne (breadnut / Katahar) The Best Vegan / Gluten Free Dish You’ll Ever Eat.

May 28, 2025February 20, 20203 Comments

I’ve talked about it before! In the Caribbean we do #vegan naturally and what I mean by that is.. we don’t take 15 grains and try to make a burger. We would take those 15 grains (for example) and make several dishes out of them. This Chataigne (aka breadnut) is a delicious example of how we do vegetarian dishes naturally – just part of the commonplace culinary landscape. And to be honest, until the recent Vegan/Vegetarian movement, we didn’t even notice how many of our everyday dishes fall into the “category”.

You’ll Need…

3 medium Chatagine (breadnut)
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion (sliced)
3 tablespoon curry powder
3/4 cup water to cook the curry
1 scotch bonnet (sliced)
5-8 cloves of garlic (divided)
1 tablespoon anchar masalla
1 1/2 tablespoon roasted geera / divided (cumin)
1 1/2 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
3/4 tablespoon salt (adjust)
3 cups coconut milk
3 pimento peppers (diced fine)

Important! If doing this recipe #glutenfree please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the curry powder as some may contain flour.

I’d recommend that you watch the video below featuring my mom and dad along with following with this recipe. As some elements may be better described there.

Rub your hands with coconut or vegetable oil (not mentioned in the ingredients list above). This will form a protective barrier so the natural sap off the Chatainge will not stain and discolor your hands. Using a sharp knife, peel the Chataigne, then cut into segments. Remove the core and discard. Then peel or shred off layers of the inside (very cabbage-like at this point). There will be seeds that you can include in the dish. If you choose to use the seeds (we used about 30%) you will need to remove the tough outer skin (discard) and slice the seeds in half.

Give everything a good wash in cool water and drain. Then heat the oil in a large heavy pot on a medium flame. It’s now time to add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Now add the curry powder cook 2 minutes to cook off any rawness (you’ll get this rawness at the end if you don’t cook it off now). Add 3/4 cup water, stir well. Go in with the scotch bonnet pepper and 3 cloves garlic grated… followed by 1/2 of the Geera and Anchar Masalla. Stir well, then add the Caribbean Green Seasoning and cook for 2-3 minutes. You will have a lovely thick slurry with a captivating aroma.

It’s now time to start adding the cleaned and prepared Chataigne along with any seeds you decide on using to the pot. As you do, please try to stir. It will seem like a lot at the start but it will wilt down. Do remember to add the salt at this point as well.

Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the coconut milk. My dad grated a couple dried coconuts from which my mom made freshly squeezed coconut milk (watch the video).

Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook gently with the lid on. 1/2 hr later, we topped it with the remaining garlic (whole cloves) and continued on that gentle simmer (lid on).

Be sure to stir the pot every 15 minutes or so. After 2 hours, add the minced Pimento peppers, mix in well and continue cooking. Yes it does take a while to cook until it’s tender and bursting with flavors. You’ll appreciate the time it takes to cook once you taste this Curry Chataigne.

Bearing in mind that it took 3 hours on that gentle simmer to cook, the last 10 minutes is when you’ll add the last of the roast Geera (ground cumin) and mix in well.

At the 3 hour mark you will have burned off all the liquid and the Chataigne will be tender and ready to enjoy with Sada or Buss-Up-Shut Roti. A CLASSIC Caribbean vegetable curry courtesy of my mom and dad. Much luv and thanks to them for sharing such a traditional recipe with us.

If you can, please support. And should you have questions about this recipe or anything food related, be sure to Ask Chris.

Gluten Free Vegan

Tasty Vegan Ackee And Saltfish.

May 28, 2025February 8, 2020Leave a Comment

Confused yet? I know the title says Vegan, but Saltfish! The simple explanation is… the classic dish is called Ackee and Saltfish in Jamaica, so I felt it was the easiest way to pay tribute to this national dish, while still keeping it vegan (and gluten free) friendly. Make sense yet?

You’ll Need…

1 can Ackee (washed/drained)
1.5 tablespoon coconut oil
1 bell pepper (sliced in thick strips)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper (sliced thin)
3 cloves garlic (diced fine or crushed)
3 scallions (chopped)
4 sprigs thyme (leaves)
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (any tomato will work)
1/2 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Important! If making this recipe gluten free be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Since I live in Canada I have no choice but to use the ackee found in a can. This canned ackee is pre-cooked and in a salty brine solution. Drain the brine, rinse with cool water and set aside to air dry as we prep the other ingredients.

Heat the coconut oil in a wide pan on a low heat then add the scallions and bell pepper. Stir well then add the garlic, black pepper and scotch bonnet pepper. Remember to wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after handling the scotch bonnet pepper (and don’t include any seeds nor the white membrane around the seeds, unless you want the raw heat) .

Cook on the low heat for two minutes then add smoked paprika, tomato (I cut the grape tomatoes in 1/2) and parsley. I find that the slight smoky heat from the paprika reminds us of the Salted Cod which is traditionally used in this recipe in Jamaica. Cook a further 2 minutes.

For even more flavor, it’s time to go in with the thyme leaves and the salt. Your heat is still on low – cook another 2 minutes. Then gently add the Ackee to the pan. Be VERY Gentle please. Stir well to mix all the flavors.

Since the Ackee will be precooked, all you have to do is make sure it heats though and you’re done (about 3-4 minutes).

Taste for salt and adjust if necessary, then get ready to enjoy a lovely vegetarian version of Classic Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish.

If you can, please support. And should you have questions about this recipe or anything food related, be sure to Ask Chris.

Gluten Free Vegan

The Ultimate Split Peas Dhal (kale & spinach) #Vegan

May 28, 2025June 29, 2019Leave a Comment

This island boy luv me some dhal.. that rich thick soup packed with tropical flavors, but made with very simple and cheap ingredients. Great on it’s own (cup of dhal) or as a side to rice and curry dishes. Dhal is very comforting and so simple to make. Here’s my take on this iconic dish with added spinach and kale, instead of the traditional use of “poi bhagi’ aka Malabar Spinach. Basically I’m using ingredients which are readily available to me here in Canada.

You’ll Need…

4 cups yellow split peas
1 tablespoon turmeric
12-14 cups water
3/4 tablespoon salt (adjust)
1/2 medium onion (diced)
8-10 cloves garlic (divided)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2-3 cups baby spinach
2-3 cups baby kale
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

Important! Please go though the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your #Vegan #GlutenFree and/or Vegetarian dietary requirements. If you find that it gets too thick, feel free to add a bit more water. No, don’t use stock as it will ruin (IMHO) the flavor.

Bring the water to a boil in a LARGE pot. As this happens, it would be a great time to wash the split peas (watch the video below). Basically all you’re doing is rinsing the peas in cool water, while using your hands/fingers to massage the grains. This will create cloudy water.. drain and repeat until this water runs clear.

As the water comes to a full boil, add the washed split peas and turmeric and bring back up to a boil. Then skim off any frothy stuff at the top and discard. After-which you can add the onion, 1/2 the garlic, black pepper, salt and scotch bonnet pepper. (use as much spicy pepper as you can handle and remember to wash your hands with soap and water immediately after)

Reduce to a simmer and let that cook for about an hour and twenty minutes or until the peas are tender and start falling apart. It’s now time to make sure the dhal is smooth. I used a wooden swizzle stick to achieve this. Feel free to use a wire whisk or electric immersion blender. If using the blender may I suggest that you “pulse” as if it goes continuous it will add too much air to the dhal and it will take on a frothy texture.

Now ad the washed (and drained) baby kale and spinach to the pot and stir well. The residual heat in the pot will be enough to fully cook the greens. Take the pot of the stove and set aside.

In a small frying pan, heat the olive oil (high heat) then go in with the remaining garlic and the cumin seeds. Cook until almost burnt.. then pour over the dhal (this is called “chunkay). This step will add a lovely layer of further flavor. You MUST do this or your dhal will be lame. Stir well to incorporate everything.

Taste for salt and adjust… ENJOY!

I forgot to mention, this is a HUGE pot of Dhal, so I usually freeze the rest for use later in the week when I need my next hit of Split Peas Dhal. If you do freeze, reheat on a very low heat on the stove top.. add a bit of water to the pot.

Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2

Gluten Free Seafood Vegan Vegetarian

Stewed Honey Nut Squash Recipe.

May 28, 2025March 13, 2019Leave a Comment

Yea, Honey Nut Squash is new to me too! I had never seen nor heard of it until I was at a local market and the name caught my attention. And even when I posted a clip of me cooking this on Instagram, I had a ton pf people correcting me “it’s butternut squash” so I knew it was kinda unique to many. Like any spinach (greens) type leafy vegetable, I’m also a HUGE fan of all squash and pumpkin, so they came home with me.

You’ll Need…

3 small honey nut squash (peel | cubed)
1/2 medium onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (diced)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon Caribbean green seasoning
3/4 cup prepared salted cod
1/4 teaspoon salt

Note: I did this recipe with salted Cod, but if you wanted to leave that ingredient out and have this fully vegan or vegetarian, you can certainly do so. Additionally, if doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Peel (the skin will be tough), core and dice the squash, then place it in a bowl covered with cool water. This will prevent it from going discolored.

Place a heavy pot (one with a lid) on a medium flame and heat the olive oil, then turn down the heat and add the diced onion and garlic, along with the black pepper. Cook on low for 2-3 minutes. Then add the Prepare Salted Cod to the pot and stir well. Followed by the Caribbean Green Seasoning and stir.. heat still on low.

It’s now time to crank-up the heat to med-high and start adding the cubed squash pieces to the pot. be sure to stir well to combine all the flavors we started with.

Heat at medium now, add the brown sugar and cover the pot.

After about 3-5 mins (watch the video below) you’ll notice that the Honey Nut Squash got a lot of it’s own natural liquid… add the salt, turn the heat down to low and cover the pot. Cook for about 20 – 24 mins, stirring occasionally.

It should be fully cooked at this point and falling apart. Here’s where you can personalize things a bit. Check for salt and adjust. I used a little salt as I know the remaining salt in the salted cod would help season things nicely. I then turned the heat up to med/high to burn off the liquid (I like a dry squash wen cooked.. you may like it a bit runny) and I used the back of my spoon to crush any solid pieces. It took another 5-7 minutes to get to the consistency and texture I like.

If salted cod is not your thing, you can add some seasoned shrimp the final 5 minutes of cooking.. you can thank me later. I usually eat this as a typical vegetable side or on days when I want to be taken back to the islands.. I get some hot roti.

Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2

Gluten Free Vegan

Traditional Curry Pigeon Peas (fresh from the garden). #vegan

May 28, 2025December 18, 2018Leave a Comment

Last Spring I had the opportunity to be “home” in the Caribbean during Pigeon peas season and luckily I had my camera with me so I was able to document my mom and dad making curry pigeon peas, to share with you. This is traditional as it gets, so even though I’ve shared a similar recipe in the past I felt it was important to show you this version as well. This is what I grew up enjoying as a young fella on the islands.

You’ll Need…

5-6 cups shelled pigeon peas
3 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon amchar massala
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon roasted cumin (ground geera)
1 medium onion
5 cloves garlic (grated)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper
1/2 cup water (for cooking curry)
4-5 cups boiling water
1 large tannia (2 potatoes will work)
1 teaspoon salt (adjust accordingly)
2 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
3 tablespoon veg oil

Important: If doing this recipe gluten free please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the Curry powder you use as some may contain flour as a filler/thickener.

Fresh off the trees, the pigeon peas were shelled by my dad.. something which was my chore along with my brother and sisters (I hated doing). Then washed with cool water and set aside for cooking. The sort of skin or shell the peas were in could be used for feeding cows, goats and pigs.

In a heavy pot on a medium/low heat add the veg oil, followed by the curry powder and cook for about 3-4 minutes. The curry will go dark and you’ll be able to smell the scent of all the spices which makes up the curry blend. Then add the water (1/2 cup) and cook off the ‘raw’ taste of the curry. After-which you may go in with the onion, garlic and scotch bonnet pepper. Stir well and cook for a couple minutes.

You may now go in with the Cumin, amchar masala, turmeric and Caribbean Green Seasoning and stir well. Cook another 2 minutes or so.

Peel and slice the tannia and add it to the pot and stir well to completely coat with the curry base we’ve created.

Turn up the heat to high and add the pigeon peas, along with the salt and stir well. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. It will spring it’s own natural liquid. At this point you will reduce the heat a bit and allow to cook for about 20 minutes.

After the 20 minutes uncover the pot and burn off any remaining liquid.. there shouldn’t be any/much. This step is to infuse the pigeon peas with that lovely curry flavor. Heat back on high, add the boiling water to the pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce to a rolling boil and cook until the peas are tender. This will take between 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

After an hour and half this was fully cooked in our case, so mom went in with her swizzle stick and gave it a working to crush some of the peas the thicken the gravy. You may use a potato masher if you don’t have a swizzle stick. You’re basically done at this point.

Taste for salt and adjust accordingly. And there you go, a traditional technique Pigeon peas straight out of my dad’s garden. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.. and TASTY!

Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2

Vegan

Outstanding Cook Up Rice (#Ital #Vegan #Glutenfree)

Curry Chataigne (breadnut / Katahar) The Best Vegan / Gluten Free Dish You’ll Ever Eat.

Tasty Vegan Ackee And Saltfish.

Recipe Card

Delicious Vegan Ackee and “Saltfish”

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Ingredients

Instructions

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The Ultimate Split Peas Dhal (kale & spinach) #Vegan

Stewed Honey Nut Squash Recipe.

Traditional Curry Pigeon Peas (fresh from the garden). #vegan

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