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Vegetarian

Tasty vegetarian recipes with a Caribbean influence by Caribbean cookbook author Chris De La Rosa.

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Gluten Free Vegetarian

Curry Bodi With Potatoes.

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Bodi or Bora, and some may even know it as Yard Beans, Snake Beans, Pea Beans, Asparagus Beans or Chinese Long Beans, is one of my favorite curry dishes, even as a lil fella on the islands. And while the recipe will work with French or String beans, Bodi has a unique flavor it imparts into the finished dish like nothing else.

You’ll Need…

1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (sliced)
5 cloves garlic (crushed)
1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Geera)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Green Seasoning
2 tablespoons curry powder
3 Bird Pepper (bird’s eye)
2 lbs Bodi (trimmed)
3/4 teaspoon salt (adjust)
4 medium potatoes (chunks)
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoon coconut cream

Notes. May I recommend you use the video below to follow along as much more about the recipe is discussed there. If making this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to ensure they meet your specific gluten free dietary requirements. Especially the curry powder you use, as some may contain fillers. I used Bird’s Eye Peppers in the amount I can handle, use any pepper you like or can source or you may leave it out.

Wash and trim the ends off the Bodi (discard), then cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Rinse again and drain.

Heat the oil in a wide pan on a medium flame, then add the onion, garlic and Cumin (geera) seeds. Turn the heat to low and cook for 3 minutes.

Add the Caribbean Green Seasoning, Bird’s Eye Peppers and black pepper, stir well and cook for another 2 minutes before adding the curry powder. Heat still on low.

The goal is to slowly cook the curry powder to bloom the spices which make up this wonderful blend. Should you need to add a bit more oil, do so.

Four minutes later add the washed and trimmed Bodi to the pot and stir well.

Turn the heat up to medium high.

Follow up with the salt and potato pieces. Mix well to coat.

The water goes in now and bring to a boil.

Tuck in the coconut cream and reduce to a simmer. Cook with the lid on but slightly ajar.

At the 25 minute mark you may check and adjust the salt. Remember to stir a couple times and add a bit more water if you need to. Here’s when you’ll decide if the sauce of gravy at the bottom is to your liking.

The potato pieces along with the Bodi should be fully cooked by now and it’s important that you consider that any sauce at the bottom of the pot will further thicken as it cools, especially with the residual heat of the pot.

While in my youth Sada Roti was my fave way to enjoy this delightful vegan dish, over the years Buss Up Shut Roti is my go-to!

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Discover the Secret to Perfectly Spiced Stewed Pumpkin – Flavorful and Healthy!

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Stewed Pumpkin or Pumpkin Talkari (takari) is definitely one of the easiest vegan dishes you’ll ever bless your tastebuds with. I have shared the Stewed Pumpkin With Salted Cod, Curry Pumpkin With Shrimp and back in 2012 we did the Stewed Pumpkin With Shrimp, this vegetarian version is still ranks as my fave.

You’ll Need…

2 tablespoon olive oil
7 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5 lbs pumpkin (peeled, washed, sliced)
1 medium onion sliced
3/4 teaspoon salt (adjust)
1/2 Scotch Bonnet pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup water (optional)

Notes! May I recommend that you follow along with the video below as much more is discussed there. Traditionally you’ll find that people use a bit of ground roasted Geera (cumin) in the recipe, however I’m not a fan of cumin, so I don’t. Additionally, mom would always add a bit of prepared salted Cod (saltfish) or shrimp to her stewed pumpkin. Those recipes are available here on the website as well. I wanted to keep this version fully vegan/vegetarian.

IMPORTANT! If you’re making this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

Peel, wash and slice the pumpkin. Yes, you may use your fav squash with similar results. My preference would be Butternut Squash if Caribbean (Calabaza) pumpkin is difficult to source.

Heat the oil in a deep pot on a medium flame, then add the olive oil followed by the garlic. Turn the heat down to low, then add the Caribbean Green Seasoning and cook for 3 minutes.

Turn the heat back up to medium and add the prepared pumpkin and stir well. This is when you’d add the water to help bring it to a boil. Add the salt, onion and Scotch Bonnet pepper. Remember to wash your hands with soap and water after handling such hot pepper. And use as much spicy pepper (any spicy pepper you like) as you can handle. Leave it out if ‘spicy’ is not your thing.

If you wanted to add a teaspoon of ground roasted cumin (geera) you may do so now. Alternatively you could have added a teaspoon of cumin seeds with the garlic at the start.

Mom was insistent that pumpkin is naturally sweet and didn’t need any sugar (when I told her what I was making for dinner with the last of the frozen buss up shut aka paratha roti she left before they left Canada for the winter). Yea, add the brown sugar now. Stir well, place the lid on the pot and bring to a boil.

Once it comes to a boil you have two options, leave the lid on slightly ajar or as I did, remove it completely. Turn the heat to med/low and cook until everything breaks down. You will notice (as explained in the video) that the pumpkin will release a lot of natural liquid and according to my family, stewed pumpkin is judged on how dry (without burning) you get it at the end.

It will take between 35 and 45 minutes to get to the right texture and you will be required to stir it relatively often as the sugars will want to assist it in burning in the area directly above the flame source. Scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir.

In the pic above you’ll see how dry (yet creamy) my stewed pumpkin turned out (a spatula can stand upright). Taste and adjust the salt to your liking and you’re done.

Served with your favorite rice, Sada roti or as I do sometimes.. on it’s own! It’s that good! If you’re interested in a version of Stewed Pumpkin with slated Pigtails, drop a comment below and I’ll get to it soon.

Vegetarian

How to Make Perfectly Seasoned Oven Breakfast Potato Wedges.

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This is arguably not a “Caribbean” recipe, however I must mention that mommy would do French Fries (say chips) for us in a similar way when we were children, as mentioned in the video below. She would season the cut potatoes with Caribbean Green Seasoning and then fry them as you would normally with fries.

You’ll Need…

2 1/2 lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
3/4 teaspoon black pepper

Notes! Be mindful that the Creole seasoning will have a noticeable sodium element. Should you not be able to find Creole seasoning you may use any of your fav bbq rubs, especially those with smoked paprika. You can easily make your own bbq rub for this by combining equal parts onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, crushed pepper flakes or cayenne pepper powder.

While I used Yukon Gold potatoes, you may use your fav potato or if you wanted, sweet potatoes will also work. Since I cut them into wedges with the skin on, be sure to give them a good wash.

Do rinse (again) the potatoes after cutting them into wedges to get rid of the starch. Then place everything into a large bowl and give it a toss to coat evenly.

As your oven comes to 400 F, line a baking tray with parchment (or foil) and spread the potatoes on one layer. Be sure to drain all the oil from the bowl onto the potatoes.

Then into the oven on the middle rack for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove them from the oven, flip/toss and return back into the oven for a further 15 minutes.

As soon as you remove them from the oven for the final time, give them a toss to coat with any remaining seasoned oil on the parchment/tray. In 30 minutes you’ll have delightful roasted potato wedges reminiscent of those seasoned fries mommy would make for us all those years ago.

This is my go to dish to enjoy with eggs and coffee on the weekends, but it would also make for an excellent side at dinnertime.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Easy and Delicious Coconut Rice Recipe.

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In the original Coconut Rice recipe we employed the assistance of a rice cooker, so I thought I’d share a stove-top version with subtle differences from that original recipe. Adding the dried pineapple and raisins (any dried fruit), is simply a personal choice and it’s really up to you to go that route or not.

You’ll Need…

1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 scallions (chopped)
1 clove garlic (crushed)
3 sprigs thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoon raisins
2 tablespoon dried pineapple (chopped)
2 cups basmati rice
3 3/4 cups water
2 1/2 tablespoon coconut cream
3/4 teaspoon sea salt

Notes! Please follow along with the video below as much more about the recipe is discussed there. Should you be doing this recipe gluten free, go through the full list of ingredients to ensure they meet your specific gluten free requirements. Should you want the finished coconut rice spicy, you may add a bit of spicy pepper like Habanero, Scotch Bonnet etc.

Heat the coconut oil in a deep pot on a medium flame, then add the scallions, thyme and black pepper. Lower the heat and cook for 3 minutes.

Then add the garlic, raisins and chopped dried pineapple and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Should you want to add nuts (cashew or peanuts) it will certainly add a bit of texture and protein to the dish. Additionally, you may add any dried fruit (chopped) you like.

Turn the heat back up to medium and add the washed basmati rice (basically any rice you like using) and stir well.

Add the water and bring to a boil. This is when you’ll add the salt and coconut cream to the pot.

Should you want to replace the coconut cream with coconut milk, replace a cup of the water with coconut milk. The coconut cream will come in a block, but will dissolve as it boils.

At this point (once it comes to a boil), reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for 15-17 minutes (explained in the video).

Turn the stove off, leave the pot on the same burner and allow the residual heat to finish cooking it. Cover the pot and do not open for 7-10 minutes.

The final step is to taste for salt and adjust to your liking, then using a fork, fluff the rice.

Such a simple yet delicious rice dish… stay tuned, I’ve got a lovely Stewed Fish recipe which will pair perfectly with this Coconut Rice.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Easy Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe.

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As a lil fella growing up in the Caribbean I recall sweet potatoes being used in two primary ways. Boiled and served as a side with Sunday lunch (biggest meal of the week in Trinidad and Tobago) and as part of the ‘ground provision’ team in our rich, thick and delicious soups. Over the years (as an adult) this herb roasted sweet potato has been a regular guest on our dinner table.

You’ll Need…

3-4 lbs sweet potato
3-4 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon sea salt (use your fav salt)
3/4 tablespoon pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chopped Rosemary
4 sprigs thyme (leaves only)
4 large shallots (cut in 1/2)
3 small cloves garlic (crushed)
2 scallions (chopped)

Notes. If making this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to ensure they meet your specific gluten free dietary requirements. May I suggest you follow along with the video below, as much more about the recipe is discussed there. Including which sweet potatoes I used and how to prepare them for roasting.

Peel, cube (large chunks) and wash the sweet potatoes. Try your best to cut them in uniform a size, so they roast evenly. Drain dry then season. Cut the shallots in half.

While I’m not a huge fan of Rosemary, it’s excellent with roasted sweet potatoes.

In a large bowl mix everything with the sweet potatoes, except the scallions. That we’ll add at the end. Should you have chives, I’d say use that at the end instead of the chopped scallion (spring onion, green onion).

You may want to leave out the pepper flakes if you don’t like the gentle heat it will add to the dish, or if you’re serving this to little ones.

Set your oven to 400F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, before spreading the now seasoned sweet potatoes on a single layer. Onto the middle rack and roast for 15 minutes.

It’s time to flip the pieces of potato so they roast off evenly. Back into the oven for another 20-25 minutes.

As you take them out of the oven, top with the chopped scallions (or chives) and enjoy. You may also sprinkle on a tiny bit of sea salt (any finishing salt you like). As discussed in the video, I didn’t add any brown sugar or honey as I wanted the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes to shine. However you can always add either should you wish.

Vegetarian

Masala Mushroom Recipe.

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If you’re looking for a quick and tasty meat free (vegan/vegetarian) dish banging with exotic flavors, look no further. This Masala Mushroom is guaranteed to deliver, without being overly bold with spices. And it works great with basic button mushrooms, which can be very affordable.

You’ll Need…

2 lbs mushrooms (cleaned and cut in 1/2)
3 tablespoon coconut oil (divided)
1 teaspoon salt (divided)
1/2 medium onion (sliced)
5-7 cloves garlic (smashed)
1/4 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (sliced)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium tomato (diced)
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (geera)
1 teaspoon Anchar masala
1 1/4 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
2 tablespoon cilantro (chopped finely)

Notes! May I recommend that you follow along with the video below as much more about the recipe is discussed there. Additionally you may make this as spicy (hot pepper) as you can tolerate and the Anchar Masala can be found at your local West Indian grocer or online.

Prep the ingredients as necessary.

Place a wide frying pan on a med/high flame with 1/2 of the coconut oil, then add the mushrooms and stir well.

Add 1/2 the salt and cook on the high heat for about 8-10 minutes. The mushrooms will shrink, let out moisture (this is why we need a wide pan) and take on color, as that liquid evaporates. We need that color to happen as explained in the video. Set the mushrooms aside and get a saucepan on a medium flame.

Add the remaining coconut oil, onion and garlic. Turn the heat to low and cook gently so we don’t burn the garlic, for about 3-4 minutes.

After which you’ll add the Scotch Bonnet, black pepper and cumin (geera) seeds and continue cooking. Four minutes later add the curry powder and Caribbean Green Seasoning and stir well. Continue cooking on a low heat.

Now add the remaining salt, turn up the heat to medium/high and add the water. Bring to a boil, then add the Anchar Masala and diced tomato. Cook on a medium heat for about 4 minutes.

At this point I used my stick blender to puree everything to give me a sort of thick sauce or gravy, before adding the previously cooked mushrooms to the pot. This step is optional, but I like the overall texture of the gravy by doing so.

Bring it back up to a boil and all it needs now is a couple minutes to heat through the mushrooms and for them to absorb that lovely curry goodness we created. Taste and adjust the salt to your liking and as you turn off the stove, add the cilantro (or Shado Beni).