Delicious Caribbean Cuisine Made Easy: Recipes You Can Prepare at Home

Caribbean cuisine is a burst of flavour that combines African, European, and Amerindian influences. The spicy, bold, and colourful dishes of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, and other Caribbean countries can be easily recreated at home. With the right ingredients, you can prepare dishes that will transport you to a tropical paradise. Here are some of the easiest and most popular Caribbean recipes you can try today:

1. Jamaican Jerk Chicken

This spicy and tangy chicken dish is a Jamaican specialty that is enjoyed all over the world. To make the jerk seasoning, you will need allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Marinate the chicken in the seasoning for at least an hour, then grill or roast until cooked through. Serve with rice and beans, steamed vegetables, or salad.

2. Trinidadian Roti

Roti is a flatbread that is a staple in Trinidad and Tobago. To make the dough, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and water until smooth. Knead the dough and let it rest for an hour. Then, shape it into thin disks and cook them on a griddle until golden brown. Serve the roti with curried chicken or goat, channa (chickpea) curry, or aloo (potato) chokha.

3. Cuban Moros y Cristianos

This classic Cuban dish is a combination of black beans and white rice, seasoned with garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. To make it, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, add the beans and seasonings, and simmer until the mixture is fragrant and the beans are tender. Serve with rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

4. Haitian Griot

Griot is a Haitian favourite that consists of marinated and fried pork, served with pickled vegetables and spicy scotch bonnet pepper sauce. To make the marinade, use garlic, onion, thyme, lime juice, and sour orange juice. Marinate the pork for at least 2 hours, then fry it until crispy. Serve with pikliz (pickled vegetables) and fried plantains.

5. Barbadian Fish Cakes

Fish cakes are a popular appetizer or snack in Barbados. To make them, mix mashed salted codfish with flour, baking powder, onion, garlic, thyme, and hot pepper sauce. Shape the mixture into small discs and fry them until golden brown. Serve with hot pepper sauce, tartar sauce, or a simple dipping sauce made with mayonnaise and lime juice.