vegetarian recipe Archives | Page 3 of 6

With the increase in demand for both vegetarian and gluten free recipes, I thought I’d take one of the most traditional dishes of the Southern Caribbean and remove a key ingredient – meat! Meat lovers can tune in here for the Chicken pelau video. This one pot dish was a must whenever we’d spend a day at the beach, go to the Oval to watch touring cricket teams and whenever pigeon peas was in season. back then freshly shelled peas were used, but today living in North America I have no choice but to reach for the canned stuff. I assure you, you won’t know there isn’t meat in this dish when it’s done ‘bubblin’ and you serve yourself a plate.

You’ll Need…

1 1/2 cups pigeon peas (1 can)
1 large carrot diced
1/2 cup celery (diced)
2 cups rice (brown par boiled)
1.5 cup coconut milk
2.5 cups water
2 scallions
2 pimento peppers (optional)
2 bird’s pepper (bird’s eye)
1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1 tablespoon parsley
2 sprigs thyme
2 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon grated ginger
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon veg oil
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Dice, chop and slice the carrot, celery, peppers, scallions and scallions. Drain the can of pigeon peas and rinse with cool water..drain. In a deep pot on medium high heat, add the veg oil, then go in with the brown sugar. As we’ve done with other Caribbean “stewed” dishes, we want to get that rich color and flavor from the caramelized sugar.

This is the only critical step in making this vegetarian pelau as if it goes beyond the amber/frothy color we’re looking for the finished dish WILL have sort of burnt taste and we don’t want that. The sugar will melt, then go a rich golden colour, before going frothy and a deep amber color. This is when we want to go in the diced carrot, celery and pigeon peas. TIP: Use a spoon which can withstand high heat (no plastic), make sure the peas are drained well after washing as we don’t want any liquid and the spoon should have a long handle as the melted sugar can jump-back at you. Move around the vegetables and let it cook/brown for about 4 minutes.

Now you will have a deep brown base to help color the entire dish (pelau isn’t supposed to be pale..according to my mom). Add the other ingredients, with the rice, coconut milk and water going in last.

If you’re new to Caribbean cuisine, you may not know that we wash our rice before cooking. This removes some of the excess starch and any debris that may be in the rice from the mill. You have 2 options. 1 – Place the rice in a strainer and run water through it. Massage and keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Option 2 – place the rice in a deep bowl, cover with water and massage with your hands. the water will go cloudy – drain and repeat until the water is clear.

Go in with the bird’s eye pepper (leave whole so we get flavor and not the raw heat – remember to remove them before serving). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle boil with the lid on the pot. Stir every 5 minutes and cook for about 25-30 minutes.. until all the liquid is gone. Do remember to taste for salt and adjust accordingly. TIP: If you find that the pelau is pale in color you can go in with a bit Caribbean food browning. There are two ways people like their finished pelau. Grainy rice (my way) or a bit overcooked with the rice being a little mushy or creamy. So adjust your cooking time to accommodate your preference.

Besides liking my pelau grainy, it MUST be piping hot – to the point where with every fork full I have to suck air in at the same time to help cool it down or risk burning my mouth. Don’t ask me why – that’s just the way I like it! This vegetarian gluten free recipe is simply outstanding and I assure you meat eaters you will not miss that chicken or salted meats we normally use. Traditionalists will want to reach for that Golden Ray (salted butter) to give it that wicked ‘creole’ taste, but do remember we’re doing this one vegetarian.

If you’d like to request a recipe, hit me on Twitter @Obzokee and we’ll get to it! If you’re doing this recipe gluten free do go through the complete list of ingredients to ensure they meet with your specific gluten free diet.

The Ultimate Coconut Rice Recipe (gluten free and vegetarian).

November 26, 2014November 26, 20144 Comments

I was recently challenged to put together a coconut rice recipe, however the recipe must be foolproof. According to the person who emailed me, they have a difficult time cooking rice as it usually ends up a messy mush in the pot or under-cooked. They were looking for perfectly cooked coconut rice, grainy in texture and rich in Caribbean coconut flavors. Being a rice dish I thought it would be a good time to also have it appeal to vegetarians and friends on a gluten free diet at the same time.

In order to make this as fool-proof as possible I employed the use of my rice cooker .. let’s get cooking!

You’ll Need…

3 cups (rice cooker size) brown rice (long grain parboiled)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cherries (or any dried fruit you like)
1 bird’s eye pepper (bird pepper)
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to your liking)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup unsweetend coconut shreds
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon parsley
1 scallion
1/2 cup raw cashew nuts
*water (According to your rice cooker instructions)

*Note: dried cranberries, mango and/or pineapple will work great as well. Be sure to go through the entire ingredient list if doing this coconut rice gluten free to ensure it meets with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

In a dry (non-stick works best) pan on a low heat gently toast the coconut shred/flakes and cashews for about 3-5 minutes and set aside.

Chop the scallion, parsley and thyme, then wash the rice. There’s usually a lot of grit in rice, so it’s important that you always wash it first or when cooked it can be gritty. To wash rice you have two options. Option 1 – place the rice in a deep bowl, cover with water and use you hands to massage the rice. As you do so you will notice the water will go cloudy. Pour out that water and repeat the steps until the water is no longer cloudy. Option 2- Place the rice in a strainer (fine mesh) and run cool water over it while using your hands to massage the grains. The water will go from cloudy to clear in a quick time.

Important Note: I noticed that my rice cooker’s cup is a bit smaller in size than an actual measuring cup, so I used the rice cooker’s measuring cup.

It’s now time to put everything into the rice cooker and allow it to do it’s thing. First went in the washed rice, then the scallion, thyme, black pepper, parsley and salt. Give it a good mix, then go in with the dried fruit, toasted coconut and cashews. Top with the bird’s eye pepper and it’s important that you leave it whole so you get the flavors and not the raw heat. Break if you want the heat.

Now go in with the coconut milk and it’s time to top with water according to your rice cooker’s instructions. There were 3 cups of rice and I treated the dried fruit as a cup of rice as well. So looking at the mark on my rice cooker for brown rice, I added enough water as if cooking 4 cups of rice. It’s now time for the rice cooker to give us perfectly cooked coconut rice. I must mention that 10 minutes into cooking I did give it a stir to make sure all the heavy stuff didn’t gather at the bottom of the cooker.

As you go through this recipe you’re saying to yourself..wow this is indeed a fool proof way of making coconut rice Chris doh lie! Such a delicious one pot dish, that’s vegetarian and gluten free as I mentioned above. Screaming with Caribbean flavors!

Tip: After my rice cooker stopped cooking and went to the ‘keep warm’ setting I gave it five minutes then I unplugged it. I find that with the natural sugars from the rice and dried fruit (plus the coconut), it will have the tendency to start caramelizing the longer its on a heat setting. Be sure to use a fork to work the rice a bit so it goes a but fluffy in the rice cooker (when done cooking).

Gluten Free Vegetarian

A Classic Tomato Salad With Heirloom Tomatoes (Vegetarian & Gluten Free).

November 9, 2014October 16, 20141 Comment

Where did the taste, flavor and scent of tomatoes go? As a kid on the islands I remember helping mom and dad in the garden, which meant getting between the tomato bushes during harvest time to pick those lovely beauties off the tree (yes, I’ve had a love affair with tomatoes since as early as I can remember). The scent of the tomatoes would remain on your hands for a full day (or two), even after you’ve washed with soap and water. Back then I didn’t care much for the scent (or the itch from being between those buses in that HOT Caribbean sun), but oh how I miss that lovely aroma from the ‘pretty’ store bought tomatoes we get in North America.

With a good crop of heirloom tomatoes this past summer, I thought I’d share a quick and delicious way to enjoy a tasty tomato salad. I grew my own tomatoes (very much like the ones I grew up enjoying), but you can now go to the ‘organic’ section of your grocery store and find them there.

You’ll Need…

heirloom tomatoes
grape tomatoes
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 small white habanero peppers (optional)
1/2 small red onion
1 tablespoon parsley (mint or basil)
2 tablespoon goat cheese (crumbled)

Plus you can also add some chopped walnuts, balsamic vinegar, cucumber and avocado if you wish.

Note: I used about 4-6 cups of tomato in total (mix of both heirloom and grape).

Wash and prep all the ingredients for the salad. Using a pairing knife, remove the stems off the tomatoes then slice in different shapes and thickness. I like cutting a cross at the bottom of the grape tomatoes (not deep) so we can get them to bleed out some of their sweetness and to get the flavors of the lemon juice, herbs and onion infused in them. By cutting the larger tomatoes in different sizes and shapes (rounds and wedges) you’ll find that the finished salad will be more ‘eye-catching’!
Slice the onion relatively thin (in rounds), if using a hot pepper (white habanero or whatever you like or have) be sure to dice if very finely and chop the parsley.

Basically all you have to do now is add everything (except the cheese) to a large bowl and gently mix. The tomatoes will have the tendency to break apart, so do be gentle. I would recommend serving immediately after mixing everything together or give it about 5 minutes to let the tomatoes release some of it’s wonderful natural juices. If you’re making this ahead of time, do not go in with the goat cheese, salt, lemon juice and olive oil until you’re close to serving. Remember to only top with the goat cheese (no need to mix in)

according to wikipedia.. heirloom tomato (also called heritage tomato in the UK) is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) heirloom cultivar of tomato

If you’re like me and know what ‘real’ tomatoes are supposed to taste like (and miss them) I recommend trying your hands at growing heirloom tomatoes in your garden (grows well in containers as well). You can get the seeds online and most plant nurseries stock the baby plants in the spring.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Stir Fry Pak Choi That’s Vegetarian, Gluten Free And Delicious.

November 17, 2014September 29, 20142 Comments

I’ve noticed the past few months that there’s been an incredible amount of requests for more vegetarian and gluten free type recipes. As you may or may not know, a vast majority of the food we cook in the Caribbean are naturally gluten free and with the abundance of fresh vegetables, we’ve mastered vegetarian cooking (insert smile here). Maybe this will explain the teaser I gave in my current cookbook about the upcoming volume 3.

Here’s my take on a delicious way to enjoy pak choi (bok choi) that’s fully vegetarian and appetizing to everyone asking for gluten free recipes.

You’ll Need…

2 lbs baby pak choi
1 tablespoon veg oil
1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil (gluten free)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon finely diced ginger
2 cloves garlic finely diced

Optional – chopped peanuts, almonds.. or toasted sesame seeds

It’s important that you remove each leaf of the pak choi and wash them individually as they’re notorious for having dirt wedged between them. I’m using baby pak choi, but you can use the regular pak choi if you want, simply chop into large pieces. Drain well after washing and chopping.

Finely dice the garlic and ginger and get ready to cook. I used my medium sized wok, but you can use any wide sauce pan. Heat the oil on medium heat (feel free to use peanut oil if you wish) and add the garlic and ginger. Turn the heat down to low and cook for 1 minute – do NOT burn the garlic. Now go in with the pak choi and give it a good stir. It will wilt down, if you’re thinking your pan is too small.

Raise the heat back up to medium and add the other ingredients and stir well.

The goal here is to cook this at a high enough temperature to wilt the greens, but not to totally destroy them by overcooking. So all it took was about 5 minutes and they were perfect (for me).

You’ll notice that I didn’t add any salt as the soy sauce will have enough to season things nicely.. but you can taste near the end and adjust accordingly. For a bit more texture and added protein you can finish up with some chopped peanuts or almonds. Toasted sesame seeds are wonderful won this as well.

If you’re looking for a quick way to enjoy a tasty gluten free vegetarian dish, give this pak choi stir fry recipe a try.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Vegetarian Stir Fry Bodi (yard beans) With Cashews.

November 17, 2014August 5, 2014Leave a Comment

As a young fella on the islands, my brother and I usually helped mom with the kitchen garden after school and on the weekends. I enjoyed seeing plants go from seeds to actually bearing fruit and harvest time was usually my favorite. Picking bodi (yard beans) off the bush (grows on a vine-like bush) was like a treasure hunt and it didn’t hurt that I LOVE beans of all shape and form. So the meals which would follow the time spent harvesting, was a glorious time for me. Traditionally mom did this one of two ways, in a curry or stewed with some sort of leftover meat or bits of salted cod. But in this recipe I’ll show you another take on cooking bodi (or any green bean).

You’ll Need…

1 lb Bodi (aka yard beans)
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tomato diced
1/2 onion diced
2 cloves garlic (finely diced)
1/4 teaspoon ginger (grated)
1/2 cup cashews (raw)
1 tablespoon veg oil
1/4 cup water
Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper
1 teaspoon oyster sauce

* Taste for salt near the end and adjust as the soy and oyster sauce may have enough salt to season this dish. I used oyster sauce in this recipe, so please visit your local Chinese grocers for a vegetarian option if you want to make this 100% vegetarian. If you cannot get bodi, feel free to use string beans or french beans, but note that they may cook faster than bodi. Be sure to use a gluten free soy sauce and oyster sauce if cooking this according to a gluten free diet.

Prep the yard beans by trimming off the ends, then cut into 1-1.5 inch pieces. Wash and drain. Dice the onion, garlic and scotch bonnet pepper – remember to wash your hands after handling the scotch bonnet, don’t use any seeds and only use as much as you can handle. The recipe works fine without it as well. (I grated the ginger)

Heat the oil on a medium flame, then toss in the garlic, onion and ginger… lower the heat to low and let this gently cook for about 3 minutes.

Raise the heat to medium and then go in with the trimmed bodi pieces, stir well, then add all the other ingredients (except the tomato) and add the water. Bring to a boil and cook on a medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, then go in with the cashews. Stir well.

Here’s where it’s up to you to personalize the dish a bit… taste for salt and determine how tender you like your beans. If you like it really tender you may need to add a bit more water and cook for an extra 5 minutes or so. As you turn off the heat toss in the diced tomato to brighten up the overall stir-fry. The residual heat from the pan will be enough to cook the tomato enough (so it’s not melted away).

If you didn’t already know, Chinese immigrants (as contract laborers) came to the Caribbean over a century ago (between 1853 and 1879), so you’ll find many of our dishes are heavily influenced by their delicious contributions.

I do hope you give this bodi stirfry with cashews a try as the flavors and texture is simply stunning.

Gluten Free Side Dishes Vegetarian

Caribbean Orange Pineapple Salad.

May 27, 2025June 6, 20141 Comment

If you’re familiar with what we call ‘chow’ in the southern Caribbean, you’ll see the same basic principles used in this recipe. “Chow’ is basically a sort of spicy pickle, usually made from a tart fruit like mango, plum, pineapple and when these fruits are not in season cucumber can also be used. It’s supposed to have herbal, garlic and hot pepper elements to really appeal to the taste buds.

In this recipe we’ll focus on two main ingredient.. sliced oranges and diced pineapple chunks!

You’ll Need…

4 oranges
1 cup cubed pineapple
pinch sea salt
pinch black pepper
1 clove garlic (crushed)
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper

* If you’re using canned pineapple, fell free to toss in about 2 tablespoon of the juice it’s packed in. The more this marinates, the stronger the flavors will be. Remember to always go through the list of ingredients if making this gluten free to ensure it meets with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Peel the oranges and slice them into 1/4 inch slices… I used seedless oranges so be mindful of the seeds if your oranges contain seeds. You can use any of your favorite citrus if you want to be a bit creative.

In my case I used fresh pineapple as I try to keep away from canned foods as much as I can. The sodium and preservatives that’s usually added is something I know my body just does not need.. plus fresh pineapples are readily available and relatively cheap. Peel, remove the core and dice into small pieces- see my note above about using canned pineapple.

Crush the garlic, and finely chop the cilantro (in the Caribbean we’d use shado beni aka Culantro) and scotch bonnet pepper.

It’s now time to assemble everything.. place in a deep bowl and combine all the ingredients. Remember to wear gloves when handling scotch bonnet peppers, wash your hands immediately after with soap and water and do not use any of the seeds if you’re concerned about the raw heat. I like using fresh ground black pepper and sea salt, but use what you have.. no need to go out and buy sea salt.

Allow everything to marinate in the fridge for an hour or so for best results.. you can also add some diced cucumber and drizzle on a little honey to balance off the heat if it’s a concern of yours. Do I need a dressing for this? Nah.. this is a wicked salad all on it’s own.

Gluten Free Side Dishes Vegetarian

Caribbean Style Coleslaw Recipe.

May 27, 2025May 9, 20148 Comments

If you’re concerned about the supposed heat or spiciness of Caribbean food, know that you can always adjust the amount of pepper and spices you use to your personal liking. Additionally, as we see with classic Jamaican jerk, you can always go with a pairing which compliment the dish and bring in that sort of cooling effect. This Caribbean style coleslaw is just that. A slight kick from the minced scotch bonnet and mustard powder, but the creaminess from the mayo-combo and the fruity flavors of the mango and pineapple will give you a delightful finish.

You’ll Need…

4-5 cups shredded cabbage
3/4 cup purple cabbage
1 cup shredded carrot
3/4 cup diced pineapple
1 cup mango (sliced thin)
3 tablespoon diced red onion
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper diced finely (no seeds)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Dressing…

1 cup miracle whip (or mayo)
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
3 tablespoon pineapple juice (or vinegar)
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 lemon (juice)

Note: Please remember to wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling scotch bonnet peppers. I used Miracle Whip instead of traditional Mayo as I enjoy the tangy flavor of the whip, but you can use your fav mayo. IMPORTANT – this recipe is posted under vegetarian, so do keep in mind that you’ll need to use a vegetarian substitute for the mayo. it is also posted under gluten free, so do make sure you go through the ingredient list to verify that all the ingredients listed are ok with your gluten free diet (especially the Mayo)

There are two steps to the recipe. Step 1 is to prepare the fruits and vegetables and Step 2 is basically making the dressing and mixing everything together.

For a bit of texture I grate 1/2 the amount of cabbage, then using my chefs knife I shred the rest of it. It’s also important to finely dice the onion so you never get a large piece of onion while dining.. can be a bit overpowering.

Mix all the ingredients mentioned above for the dressing in a bowl (I like using a whisk for this step) and set aside. Then in a large bowl, place the shredded cabbage.. you’ll notice that I used a bit of purple cabbage as well. Don’t add too much of the purple cabbage as it will discolor the entire coleslaw as you mix everything together. Add all the other ingredients, top with the salt and mix in the dressing we made. Give everything a good mix and set in the fridge to chill a bit before serving.

Remember to store in a cool place (cooler with ice) if you’re taking this to a picnic this summer as the dressing can go bad with excessive heat. If you have it in the fridge for a few hours you will need to give it a good mix before serving as you’ll find what looks like water on the surface (that’s normal).

With the brilliant flavors of the diced mango and pineapple you’ll find that this is not your basic coleslaw and I encourage you to use other fruits you like… apple, peach.. be creative.

Vegetarian

Festive Vegetarian Pineapple Fried Rice.

November 24, 2014January 21, 201410 Comments

This Caribbean inspired vegetarian pineapple fried rice is a wonderful way to use leftover rice you may have in the fridge and it must be noted that it is not a traditional Caribbean dish. However with use of wonderful Caribbean flavors you’ll find that you’ll purposely make extra rice just so you can have this dish on the regular.

You’ll need…

4 cups cooked rice (day old)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 bird’s eye pepper (or 1/4 scotch bonnet)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 large onion (diced)
1 bell pepper (1/2 yellow + 1/2 red)
1/4 teaspoon grated ginger
1 scallion
1/2 carrot (diced finely)
1 stalk celery (diced finely)
1.5 cups pineapple (1/4 inch pieces)
1 tablespoon veg oil
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon curry powder

optional – toasted coconut flakes – topping.

Notes: If you’re using freshly cooked rice (or leftover), may I suggest that you allow it to cool in the fridge for a few hours. This will give you a lovely grainy finish to the rich dish. I used parboiled brown rice, but you’re free to use any rice you like.

Start by prepping all your vegetables as this is a very quick dish to put together. Next heat the vegetable oil on a medium heat in a deep pot (I used a non stick pot to cut back on the amount of oil I use) and add the diced onion and garlic. Reduce the heat to low and let that cook for a couple minutes. Then add the diced celery, carrot and bell peppers and allow it to cook for 3 minutes (low heat).

Toss in the bird’s eye pepper (whole), grate in the ginger, add the black pepper, salt and curry.. raise the heat to medium and stir well. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the curry powder to bring out all the flavors of the spices in the curry powder. Then add the diced pineapple (you can use drained canned pineapple if you want) along with the soy sauce, sesame oil and hoisin sauce. Stir well.

Raise your heat to med/high and toss in the rice (note – if the rice was in the fridge as I suggested, take it out about 15 minutes before you start this dish) and mix well. The idea here is to warm the rice through and help it take on that wonderful flavor base we created. Let it cook for about 4-6 minutes, then top with the chopped scallion and turn off the heat. Serve!

You’ll notice that I didn’t use much salt as my rice was already cooked in salt and the soy sauce will contain much salt. Also notice that I didn’t cut or break the birds eye pepper as I wanted the flavor without the raw heat. But you can certainly cut them finely for that added kick. This is best served warm so your guests will really appreciate the combination of flavors we created with this tasty Caribbean inspired Vegetarian pineapple fried rice. A great way to add extra flavors and texture is to top the finished rice with some toasted shredded coconut.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. Oh yea! Leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.

Breads & Bakes Vegetarian

The Ultimate Pepper Roti Recipe.

May 28, 2025December 22, 201330 Comments

Pepper roti is one of those delightful dishes which became popular after I left the islands for North American shores. I was only introduced to this a few years back when my cousin hosted us for dinner during one of our Carnival visits and I immediately fell in love with it. What a treat! Stuffed with freshly grated vegetables and creamy from the addition of New Zealand cheddar, the layers of roti is really something you must try at least once. With moms help.. let’s go through the steps in making classic Trinbagonian pepper roti!

You’ll Need…

Roti

2 cups all purpose flour
pinch salt
2 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon butter
1 – 1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon veg oil

Stuffing

1 scotch bonnet pepper finely diced (no seeds)
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 cup grated potato
1 cup grated cheese (cheddar aged)
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1/2 cup sweet pepper (bell pepper) grated

Note: for the filling you can always add ingredients you like.. even more scotch bonnet if you want it even more lethal!

First we need to make the dough for the roti (basically the same as we did with buss up shut or paratha roti) . In a large bowl place the flour, salt and baking powder and give it a good mix. Then start adding some of the water and start kneading… add more water as necessary to form a smooth and somewhat soft/firm dough.

Cover the dough with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes. Then divide into two dough balls, dust your work surface with flour and with a rolling pin, roll out to a circle. With the aid of the pictures below and by watching the video directly below the post, you can follow along. In a small bowl place the butter and oil and mix well.. the butter should be soft. You’ll need a small brush (pastry brush).

After rolling out one of the dough balls flat (about 12-14 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick… the size of your tawa), make a cut from the center out. Then brush on some of the oil/butter combination over the surface. Now, roll to form a sort of cone.

Then tuck in both ends to seal. This will give the roti the layers that paratha or buss up shut roti normally have when cooked. Tap town to sort of flatten, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rest for about 10 minutes.

Prepare the filling in the meanwhile (grate, chop etc).

Then place it all in bowl and mix it evenly so when we spread it on the roti we’ll have a uniform blend.

It’s now time to get back to the dough. On a flour dusted surface, roll out one of the dough balls the size of your tawa (tawa is the baking stone (iron) we’ll be using to cook this on the stove top). With your tawa on a low flame, brush on some of the oil/butter mixture onto the tawa, then place the rolled out dough onto it. The oil will prevent it from sticking, help develop color and give it a sort of fried exterior when fully cooked. Now top with the filling as evenly as you can, but leave about 1/4 inch off the side bare. This way we can seal the roti when we add the other layer.

Roll out the other dough ball the same shape and size as the previous one, then gently place on the one on the tawa. It can be a bit tricky! Then using a fork, press down on the edges to help seal the pepper roti.

By this time the underside will start developing some colour and firm up a bit. Brush some of the oil/butter combo on the top layer we just added, then try to flip the roti so the raw side is now sitting on the tawa. Turn the heat up a bit, so we can cook the inside of the roti with it’s stuffing. I’ve seen some people blanch the grated carrot and potato, but since we grated it finely.. you should be fine. After 3-4 minutes, brush a little more oil/butter on top and flip back so the original side is on the tawa again. Give it a minute or tow and you’re dun!

You’re looking for a golden crust, with a lovey creamy filling as the cheese melts and the other ingredients cook. Give it a minute or two to cool before slicing so you don’t end up with a mess! You can multiply the recipe if you want to make enough for large crowd. I guess this is a Caribbean version of quesadilla? Serve warm and do tell your guests to expect the kick from the finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper.

Side note: You can use a griddle or non stick frying pan (with low sides) to cook this pepper roti if you don’t have a traditional baking stone or tawa.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.

Gluten Free Vegetarian

Jamaican Callaloo And Swiss Chard A Wicked Vegetarian Combination.

December 3, 2014September 11, 20135 Comments

With both Jamaican callaloo (aka amaranth, callaloo, chorai or bhagi) and Swiss chard both in abundance in my garden this summer, I thought I’d combine them both for a delicious vegetarian recipe. Here’s the thing, DON”T for one minute think this will be a bland or petty recipe since you heard me use the word vegetarian. If you’re new to Caribbean cuisine be aware that NO recipe is ever bland. We love bold flavors and our food always reflect the vibrancy of our people.

You’ll Need…

1 table spoon coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
6 cups Jamaican Callaloo (trimmed)
6 cups Swiss Chard (trimmed)
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 medium onion
4 cloves garlic
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper
1/2 cup coconut milk

Notes: You can also use vegetable or olive oil if you don’t have coconut oil. IMPORTANT: if doing this recipe gluten free, do go through the list of ingredients to ensure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Wash, drain and trim the Swiss chard and callaloo bush. With the Swiss chard do wash them thoroughly as the ribs of the stem can hide dirt. With the calaloo bush, don’t use any tough stems. Roll into bundles and cut into ribbons/shreds. Also prep the onion (sliced thin) , scotch bonnet pepper (dice), garlic (sliced thin) and tomatoes.

Heat the oil in a deep sauce pan on medium heat, then add the onion and garlic. Turn the heat down to low so we can gently cook the onion/garlic. After 3 minutes, turn the heat back up and start adding the shredded callaloo and Swiss chard to the pot. It may seem as if it won’t all fit, but it will wilt down. Then add the scotch bonnet pepper, salt and black pepper. Top it with the coconut milk and bring to a boil. Now reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and cook for about 20-25 minutes.

If there’s any remaining liquid in the pot at this point, remove the lid, turn up the heat and burn it off. Yea, it’s that simple a dish to put together.

After you turn the heat of, drizzle on the lime (or lemon) juice, top with the chopped tomatoes and cover the pot. Let that sit for about 3 minutes before serving. For those of you who get that sort of itch at the back of your throat when you eat “greens” the lime juice will help with that, plus it will brighten up this dish as well.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.

Vegetarian

Curry Jingi (Chinese Okra) A Tasty Vegetarian Dish.

December 13, 2014June 17, 20134 Comments

As a young fella on the islands I knew this vegetable as the one our mom would sometimes use to scrub blackened pots with and to be quite honest, I was never a fan of it. As we’ve discussed before, that lack of appreciation quickly went away as I grew older. When dried the jingi or Chinese okra is commonly known as a luffa and used all over the world as a body scrubber, but our mom had one use for it.. scrubbing pots.

When still green (not fully mature to it’s fibrous state) the jingi is a lovely vegetable, with a mellow sort of flavor and works well as a curry.

You’ll Need…

2 lbs jingi (Chinese okra)
1 small onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
2 tablespoon veg oil
1 heaping tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch black pepper
2 potatoes (cubed)
1 tablespoon chopped shado beni (or 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro)
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper
1 cup water + 3 tablespoon

Note: Shado Beni (chadon beni) will also be called culantro and can be found at West Indian, Latin and Asian food stores.

Wash, peel and cube the jingi into 3/4 inch pieces (make sure the jingi is NOT fully mature so you don’t have to discard the inner (fluffy with seeds) parts. I used everything.

Heat the oil in a deep sauce pan on medium heat, then toss in half the diced onion and garlic, turn the heat down to low and allow the flavors to build slowly. After 3 minutes, add the curry powder (heat still on low) and allow it to toast for about 2 minutes. The spices which make up the curry will bloom at this point. Pour in the 3 tablespoons of water as well as the diced scotch bonnet pepper and allow to cook for about 3 minutes. This will now take the rawness out of the curry. It will go grainy and start to clump – that is natural.

Now turn the heat up to burn off any remaining liquid and add the cubed jingi and stir well so everything gets coated in the curry base. Now top with the black pepper, salt, chopped shado beni and add the diced potato. The final step is to add the 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.

Turn the heat down and allow to simmer until everything is tender (lid on). It will take about 25 minutes to fully cook. The goal is to have the potato tender to the point where it will help thicken the overall dish. Taste for salt and adjust to your liking. If you find that it’s still a bit runny, you can turn the heat up and burn off any excess liquid.

This is a lovely vegetarian dish which is great with rice and/or sada roti and a great way to use a very underused vegetable. If you’re not sure where to get the jingi (Chinese okra), check out your local Asian or West Indian market.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian Curry Okra Recipe.

June 23, 2013May 15, 20139 Comments

As a kid I hated the taste and texture of okra (ochro) but I can safely say that it’s now one of my favorite vegetables to use in cooking. Soups and stews is not complete without a few okras in there, but pan frying them is still my choice. Our mom probably gets a good laugh these days when I request fried okra when we visit her and my dad.. back in the day we (my brother and sisters) all refused to partake in anything okra related. Poor woman always had to cook something different for us.

When most people hear the word ‘vegetarian’ attached to a dish they automatically think it’s something bland and just plain ole flavorless. Nothing could be further from the truth with this vegetarian curry okra.

You’ll Need

1 lb okra
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch fresh ground black pepper
1 medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic
2 bird pepper aka birds eye (or 1/4 scotch bonnet)
1 pimento pepper (aka seasoning pepper)
2 tablespoon veg oil
1 tablespoon madras curry powder

Note: Fried okra is notorious for needing a lot of oil (absorbs it) so I recommend using a non stick pan if you can, to eliminate the use for more oil.

Tip: To make sure the cooked okra is not slimy (as it can be) wash, pat dry then remove the stems and cut into desired thickness. Place the cut okra on a cookie sheet in a single layer and allow to air dry for a couple hours. Place in direct sun for even better results.

Dice the onion, garlic, hot pepper and pimento pepper (optional) . Then heat the vegetable oil on medium heat and toss in the diced onion and garlic. Turn the heat down to low and let that cook for about 3-4 minutes.

Now it’s time to add the curry powder and some fresh ground black pepper. The heat should still be on low as we want to toast the curry powder to release it’s flavors and not burn the curry. Let that go for 3 minutes.. be sure to stir. You should start getting that lovely curry aroma.

Add the diced peppers and stir. Turn up the heat to medium and start adding the cut okra to the pot. The idea is to stir-fry the okra in the curry base and here is where you’ll need to personalize this dish a bit. Depending on how ‘cooked’ you like okra, you will have to adjust your cooking time. Do NOT cover the pan as we don’t want steam/moisture to develop as this is another factor for making okra slimy.

I let it cook for about 15 minutes before it was to my liking. At this point I salted the dish (always try to salt okra near the end of cooking so it does not develop moisture.. a tip I got from Cynthia @ http://www.tasteslikehome.org/) and gave it a final stir. You’ll notice how the okra maintained most of it’s brilliant green color, with tasty caramelized edges and the curry base with just delightful.

You’ll love sharing this vegetarian curry okra with your family and friends and there’s enough here for 4-5 people as a side dish. I love having this curry okra with sada roti (sada roti recipe), but it’s also works well as an accompaniment to rice or as any typical vegetable side dish.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.

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