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These Caribbean Food Recipes Make Everything Better

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A bowl of Barbadian lamb stew.
Barbadian Stewed Lamb Chops

Nothing summons a sense of home quite like the scent of something familiar and delicious cooking on the stove. For those seeking some respite for both body and soul, we’re gathering our favorite Caribbean comfort food recipes. This week, we hop around the Caribbean and pick out a menu of show-stopping dinner recipes, from roasted meats to cheesy sides.

Barbadian Stewed Lamb Chops

Caribbean Food Recipes
Barbadian Stewed Lamb Chops

This hearty Bajan (Barbadian) stew is very popular made using lamb chops or pork chops. Barbadian Stewed Lamb provides a very satisfying meal for lunch or dinner served with mashed potatoes or rice and steamed vegetables. The great thing is that this comfort food recipe combines basic seasonings that can be found easily in any kitchen.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 lamb chops, skin-on preferred
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 8 medium onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sweet peppers, diced
  • 2 tbsp. garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. grated nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp. fresh thyme (or substitute 1 tbsp dried thyme)
  • Pepper sauce
  • A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
  • A few dashes of angostura bitters
  • 1 can (14 fl. oz.) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Rub pork chops with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then wash and pat dry.
  2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat and then add pork chops. Brown on both sides (about 10 minutes).
  3. Remove pork chops from pan, set aside.
  4. Sauté the onions until they begin to brown, then add the garlic and sweet peppers. Sauté for a couple more minutes.
  5. Add the tomatoes, nutmeg, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, Angostura bitters, water, and pork chops.
  6. Cover and simmer over low heat until the chops are tender, about one to two hours. Add more water during cooking if necessary.

Adapted from Totally Barbados

Puerto Rican Pernil

Caribbean Food Recipes
Puerto Rican Pernil / Roast Pork Shoulder

Slow cooked, moist, tender and juicy with a flavorful, crispy skin. This classic Puerto Rican recipe for pernil or roasted pork shoulder is so mouthwatering, so good, it might make you forget about bacon!

INGREDIENTS

  • 7 lbs. pork shoulder (with fat)
  • 9 garlic cloves (or 9 tsp garlic powder or ground garlic)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp crushed oregano
  • 1½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1½ tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Mash the garlic together with salt, pepper, oregano and olive oil and mix well.
  2. Wash the meat and pat dry.
  3. With a sharp knife cut the fat away from the meat, leaving an edge attached and keeping it all in one piece.
  4. Season the side of the fat that goes over the meat with a bit of the seasoning blend.
  5. Make very deep slits all over the meat and season the meat thoroughly. Re-cover the meat with the fat and sprinkle it with salt.
  6. Refrigerate the shoulder covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours to marinate.
  7. Get the pork back to room temperature before cooking (about one hour).
  8. Place in a deep pan with the fat side up. There will be a lot of grease so use a pan at least 2″ deep. Do NOT cover with foil as the skin will not crisp.
  9. Preheat the oven to 400º and roast for one hour, then reduce temperature to 300º for about 4 hours or so – DO NOT TURN MEAT. When the meat is done, you can prick it on the side with a fork to see if it shreds. If the skin is not crispy enough, then leave it in the oven and raise the temperature to 400º until it is (another 15 minutes or so).
  10. Remove the meat from the oven and let it rest on the counter for about 20-30 minutes before carving.
  11. To carve, remove the skin completely and set aside. Carve the meat, cut the crispy skin into pieces and spread over the meat. Enjoy!

Keshi Yena (Aruban Stuffed Cheese Shell)

Caribbean Food Recipes

Keshi Yena is a popular dish throughout the Dutch Caribbean and especially in Aruba. When the Dutch brought Edam cheese to the Caribbean, locals found a way to transform the shell of the hollowed out cheese into this delicious casserole. A sautéed mix of tender shredded chicken with sweet raisins, spicy peppers, salty olives and capers, and a tangy blend of sauces are all wrapped up in a mouthwatering cheese shell for a meal that hits every taste bud.

(Serves 10-12)

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 small Edam cheese (2 – 2 1/2 lbs.)
  • 2 lbs. cooked chicken, shredded
  • 3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • 1 tbsp. capers
  • 1 tbsp. parsley
  • 1/4 hot pepper, minced (or hot sauce to taste)
  • 1/2 cup raisins and chopped prunes
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp. ketchup
  • 2 tbsp. mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 5 eggs

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Slice the top off the cheese, reserve. Gently scoop out the inside, leaving a 1/4″ – 1/2″ shell. Soak the empty shell in hot water and peel away the red wax.
  2. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  3. Heat butter in a large pan and sauté the remaining ingredients, except the eggs. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
  4. Remove pan from heat. Whisk 4 eggs and stir into the pan.
  5. Spoon everything into the cheese shell and replace the reserved top. Beat remaining egg and brush over the top of the cheese to seal it.
  6. Grease a shallow baking dish and fill it with about 1 inch of water. Place the stuffed cheese in the dish and bake for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
  7. Serve piping hot, cut into wedges.

Adapted from Arecetas

Trinidadian Pumpkin Choka (Talkari)

Caribbean Food Recipes
Trinidadian Pumpkin Takari (Choka)

Trinidadian Pumpkin Choka or Talkari is a traditional Indian seasoned and mashed pumpkin dish served as a side. It often accompanies “sada roti”, a Trinidadian flat bread similar to naan or pita bread. One of the special ingredients common to both Trinidadian recipes and traditional Indian food is a spice called Geera. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb. pumpkin cut into 1″ squares
  • 2 pimentos crushed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 onion finely diced
  • 1 bouillon cube (optional)
  • 1 tbsp. curry (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 small slice of hot pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. geera
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1/4 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat oil and saute garlic until translucent.
  2. Add the hot pepper and the rest of seasonings, bouillon cube and geera. Add the pumpkin and stir.
  3. Add water and leave to simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes.
  4. Add salt and allow to reduce to a semi thick consistency.

Dominican Sancocho

Caribbean Food Recipes
Dominican Sancocho

Dominican Sancocho called ‘El Sancocho de Siete Carnes’ or stew of seven meats is certainly the most treasured Dominican culinary delight. Reserved for special occasions, its preparation is time-consuming as it contains many ingredients, however, it is well worth the effort.

Traditionally beef was the only meat in Dominican Sancocho. The seven meat version is the more extravagant option for big celebrations. This is a great comfort food and an example of the thin line between soups and stews in some cultures.

Serves 8

Prep Time 1 hr

Cook Time 1 hr

Total Time 2 hr

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb stew beef (flank, chuck or round)
  • 1 lb goat meat
  • 1 lb pork sausage (longaniza)
  • 1 lb pork for stewing (belly or chump end)
  • 1 lb chicken
  • 1 lb pork ribs
  • 1 lb bones from a smoked ham
  • Juice of two limes
  • 1 tsp chopped cilantro or parsley
  • ½ tsp powdered oregano
  • 1 tbsp mashed garlic
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp canola oil
  • 2.5 quarts water
  • ½ lb white yam cut into 1″ pieces
  • ½ lb calabaza squash cut into 1″ pieces
  • ½ lb malanga (coco) cut into 1″ pieces
  • 3 unripe plantains, 2 cut into 1″ pieces
  • ½ lb cassava cut into 1″ pieces
  • 2 corn cobs cut into ½” slices (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cut all the meat into bite-size pieces.
  2. Rinse all the meat except for the pork sausage with lime juice.
  3. Place all the meat except for the pork sausage into bowls and season with coriander, oregano, garlic, and 1/2 tsp. of salt ensuring all pieces are coated with the spices.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least half an hour to marinate.
  5. Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot and add the beef, stirring until browned.
  6. Cover and and simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Add a few tablespoons of water if it looks dry to prevent burning.
  8. Add the pork and simmer for 15 minutes adjusting water if necessary.
  9. Add the rest of the meat to the pot except for the chicken and simmer for 15 minutes, keep adding water as needed.
  10. Add the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes.
  11. Add 2 quarts of water to the pot and bring to a boil.
  12. Add the yam, calabaza, malanga and the two cut plantains.
  13. Simmer covered for 15 minutes.
  14. Grate the remaining plantain to make it into a pulp and add to the pot.
  15. Add all remaining ingredients except for the salt.
  16. Simmer until all ingredients are cooked through, adding water as it evaporates and stirring frequently.
  17. Season with salt to taste.
  18. Serve hot with white rice, slices of avocado, and finish with hot sauce.

NOTES

  • The meats cook for different lengths of time for maximum tenderness and flavor. Please pay attention to the order in which meat is added.

Adapted from Aunt Clara’s Kitchen

 

What Bahamian Star Padrino Loves to Cook Up In The Kitchen

By
Howard Campbell
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Bahamian Padrino

Music and food are two of the Caribbean’s most sought-after exports. And perhaps no other regions loves both so much in equal measure. With this in mind, we tapped some of the Caribbean’s most beloved music stars to talk about the foods that excite their palates. Born in Nassau, the Bahamian Star Padrino singer, rapper, and producer Padrino (real name Rory Bowe) have worked with acts like Jah Cure and Popcaan. The South Florida resident and son of a fisherman favour seafood and considers himself a more than competent cook, spending time in the kitchen whenever he’s not in the recording studio. As avid fisher himself, expect some serious Bahamian food with tons of ocean treasures.

Currently Craving: I’m craving pepper shrimp, or even steamed snapper right now. Eating fish always reminds me of home. I have so many memories going out on the water with my father, who was a boat captain and spearfisherman. I’ve got the best fresh seafood hookups in South Florida. During quarantine, I ate like there was no pandemic.

Favourite Caribbean Dish To Cook At Home: I love cooking curry at home. I’d curry an apple if I could! I learned to make a good curry for many years watching my grandmother, aunts, and cousins. I usually post my cooking on my Instagram page, which has a nice little following of food fans.

Go-to Caribbean Spot: I cook a lot at home actually. But if I go out for Caribbean food, I’ll head to Coconuts in South Florida. The one Caribbean essential I need to have on tour is a hot patty. Bury me with one when I die, please.

Your Caribbean Essentials: In South Florida, Bravo Supermarket has been a go-to place for key ingredients. I typically stock up on scotch bonnet peppers, fresh snapper, shrimp, conch, lobsters, plantains, fresh coconut, okra, thyme, ginger, cassava, and lots of fresh herbs and spices.  

One Dish Every Visitor Should Try: Hands down the one dish everyone should try when visiting The Bahamas is boiled grouper, aka boil fish, with johnnycake. Period! It’s a clear fish and lime broth with chunks of fleshy grouper and potatoes, seasoned with allspice and fresh goat pepper. Our johnnycake is more like a sweet cake and bread combo. It’s the best hangover remedy.

See Nicki Minaj’s Stunning Rainbow Pregnancy Pics

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admin
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Nicki Minaj pregnancy

Nicki Minaj is pregnant! The star Trinidadian-American rapper is expecting her first child with hubby Kenneth Petty. She announced the happy new on her Instagram account in style, complete with a rainbow-colored pregnancy photo shoot showing off her cute baby bump.

Minaj may now be a married mama, but she seems to be keeping her signature colorful style during her pregnancy. Shot by David LaChapelle, the photo shoot features the Trini rapper in her iconic colorful wigs, girly lace, sequins and iconic pink hues.

“Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude,” the rapper wrote in her caption for her fans. “Thank you all for the well wishes.” The new comes nine months since she tied the knot with Petty, which she also announced in a surprise Instagram post to fans. She recently shared with People magazine how much she’s enjoying this new stage in her life.

“When you have someone that feels like your soulmate or someone who understands you, it just makes you feel like you’re on top of the world,” Minaj said.

The happy news may mean fans will have to wait a while for any new music from the star. Though Barbies (the nickname for followers of the rapper) have had tons of new music to enjoy this year. Minaj finally scored her first No. 1 single as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100, with her fierce remix of Dojo Cat’s “Say So.” Then this past June, the star grabbed her second chart-topper on the Hot 100 with “Trollz,” a collar track with rapper 6ix9ine.

More Baby News:

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These Jamaican Comfort Food Recipes Take Us Back Home

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admin
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8
A picture jerk chicken and plantain kebabs.
A flavorful Caribbean kebab made with jerk chicken, ripe plantains, corn, bell peppers, onions and caribbean seasonings.

Nothing summons a sense of home quite like the scent of something familiar and delicious cooking on the stove. For those seeking some respite for both body and soul, we’re gathering our favorite Caribbean comfort food recipes. This week, we head to Jamaica for some traditional spicy stews and soups.

Jerk Chicken and Plantain Kebabs

Jamaican Comfort Food recipes
A flavorful Caribbean kebab made with jerk chicken, ripe plantains, corn, bell peppers, onions and caribbean seasonings.

This delectable recipe for jerk chicken and plantain kebabs comes from Guest Chef Mesha Welsh, who was a culinary student at the time of its concoction. We shared the recipe image on social media and it quickly went viral. Now you too can try it at home and tell us what you think. With chicken made with jerk seasoning, ripe plantains, roasted corn, peppers, onions and spices, we think it’ll be a sensory overload!

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 ripe plantain cut into 1″ slices (replace with a sweet potato if preferred)
  • 1 ear of corn cut into 1″ slices and halved
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1″ slices
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1″ slices
  • 1 white onion cut into 1″ slices
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbs powdered jerk seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbs garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes to an hour to avoid splintering
  2. Cut chicken into 2″ chunks and rinse with vinegar and lemon juice
  3. Add olive oil, powdered jerk seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and lime juice. Mix together and place in a container or plastic bag then place in the fridge to marinate for about an hour. Add salt after removing from the fridge and combine it.
  4. In an alternating pattern, onto the skewer slide red pepper, chicken, onion, green pepper, chicken, plantain (on the long side), onion, red pepper, chicken, corn (work gently through the soft spot between kernels and cob). Leave about 2 inches at the top and bottom of the skewer.
  5. Repeat for additional skewers.
  6. Squeeze additional lemon juice over the entire kebab to add flavor to corn, plantains, and peppers. Sprinkle black pepper and additional jerk seasoning if desired.
  7. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until plantains is cooked through.
  8. To serve, garnish with bits of chopped parsley and scallions. Enjoy!

Adapted from Mesha’s Corner (By Mesha Welsh)

Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup

Jamaican Comfort Food recipes
Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup

Jamaican Pepper Pot soup is a blend of callaloo (similar to spinach), with okra, ground provisions and optionally, meat stewed in. In this particular recipe, coconut milk is incorporated, which gives the soup a creamier texture. You can choose to make it without coconut milk as well.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1lb salted beef
  • 1lb pigs tail
  • 12 cups of water
  • 1lb callaloo or spinach
  • 12 okra pods, chopped
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (remove the seeds)
  • 1 clove of garlic, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 lb yellow yam, cubed (store in water or squeeze lime over it to keep from turning brown)
  • 1/2 lb malanga or coco, cubed (store in water or squeeze lime over it to keep from turning brown)
  • 3 stalks of scallion
  • 3 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 can of coconut milk
  • Salt to taste
  • Flour, salt, and water for spinners

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Chop the pig’s tail and salt beef into bite-sized cubes. Place the meat in a large bowl of water and allow it to soak in the fridge overnight. Drain the water from the meat.
  2. Boil 12 cups of water in a large pot then add the meat. Reduce heat and simmer for two hours.
  3. Boil water in a separate pot, add thoroughly washed callaloo, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Strain callaloo and blend into a puree. Set aside.
  5. After 2 hours, add the okra, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, onion, yellow yam, and coco to the boiling meat.
  6. Mix flour and a pinch of salt with water until it has the consistency of dough. Pinch off a small amount of the dough, about the size of half a ping pong ball, and roll it in your hands until tapered to make a “spinner”. Repeat until you run out of dough and add spinners to the pot. Continue to simmer for 45 more minutes.
  7. Cut and crush the scallions and add to the pot along with thyme, coconut milk, and callaloo puree. Continue to simmer for 15 more minutes, or longer if the soup needs to thicken.
  8. Add salt and black pepper to taste and serve.

NOTES

  • Do not touch your eyes or mouth after handling scotch bonnet. Rinse your hands thoroughly.

Adapted from Jamaica Travel and Culture

Jamaican Oxtail Stew

Jamaican Comfort Food recipes
Jamaican Oxtail Recipe

Oxtail is one of Jamaica’s most revered soul food dishes. This Jamaican oxtail recipe is well seasoned and cooked for multiple hours until the tender meat falls off the bone.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2lbs of oxtail
  • 1 tin of broad beans
  • 5 cups of water
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 2 scallion
  • 1/2 a scotch bonnet pepper
  • 1/2 lb of carrots
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tsp of allspice
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/2 tsp of pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Chop the scallion, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, onion, tomato, carrot, and thyme
  2. Season the oxtail with scallion, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, thyme, allspice, salt, and pepper and let marinate for at least 2 hours
  3. Fry the oxtail and seasoning in a tablespoon of oil for about 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in the water, onion, tomato, and carrot, turn down the heat and simmer the pot until the oxtail has softened (about three hours), stirring occasionally.
  5. Add the beans and simmer for a further 30 minutes

By Traditional

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican Comfort Food recipes
Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican Fried Dumplings are a popular bread-style side. They are fit to accompany any meal throughout the day, but they’re usually enjoyed with breakfast. The dough is made with flour, baking powder, and butter, and it’s easy to prep and fry up. There are other versions of these called “Bakes” found elsewhere in the Caribbean, but for Jamaicans, it’s all about the fried dumplings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp salt (if using salted butter or margarine use 1/2 tsp salt)
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter or margarine (cold)
  • 3/4 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl
  2. Blend butter into dry ingredients with hands or mixer until crumbly
  3. Add water, a little at a time, to dry ingredients until dough holds together (you may not need all the water). Sprinkle with more flour if the dough is too wet.
  4. Knead dough until smooth; do not over knead. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 15 minutes
  5. Shape dough into 8 small balls (enough to fit in palm)
  6. Pour cooking oil into the frying pan until it is high enough to cover your rolled dumplings to half their height.
  7. Set stove to medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place dumplings carefully into the pan
  8. As each side browns continually turn dumplings until all sides are brown and dumplings are light and fluffy. When fully cooked they will be light brown and crispy outside and sound hollow when tapped.
  9. Place on the paper towel to drain any excess oil and serve hot.

NOTE

Adapted from cooklikeajamaican.com

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Jamaican Comfort Food recipes
Traditional Jamaican Rice and Peas is a side dish made with white rice, kidney beans, coconut milk, herbs and spices. It complements every flavorful protein from Oxtail to Brown Stewed Chicken.

Traditional Jamaican Rice and Peas is a side dish made with white rice, kidney beans, coconut milk, herbs, and spices. It complements every flavorful protein from oxtail to brown stewed chicken.

Serves 4

Cook Time 30 mins

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 medium-sized can red kidney beans
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 cups of rice
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper (whole, do not chop up)
  • Water

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Drain the liquid from the can of beans into a measuring cup
  2. Add the can of coconut milk and enough water to make four cups of liquid.
  3. Place liquids in a pot with beans, onions, garlic, thyme, and oil, bring to a boil.
  4. Add rice and stir for a minute.
  5. Reduce heat to Medium-Low.
  6. Place scotch bonnet pepper on top of the liquid and cover tightly for 30 minutes or until rice is cooked.
  7. Remove scotch bonnet pepper before serving.

NOTES

  • This recipe can also be made using other peas.

Adapted from Chef Ricardo

More Caribbean Comfort Foods:

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Protect from COVID-19 with stylish Face Masks By Caribbean Designers

By
Adesuwa Ebuehi
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0
Face Masks Caribbean Designers

Slowly but surely, the human race has adapted to the coronavirus pandemic. While COVID-19 has slowed down a lot of our activities, it has helped us to appreciate the little things. this includes the power of a simple and stunning, protective and Stylish face masks by Caribbean Designers. These Caribbean designers have answered the call, creating stylish and reusable face masks to keep you both trendy and safe. Yes, you can protect those around you and look good while doing it.

Bahama Hand Prints

 

Known for their artful, tropically inspired prints, this Bahamian textile line has been around since 1966. The bold and brilliant designs and vivid colours of Bahama Hand Prints are unmistakable and inspired by the natural beauty of The Bahamas. And recently, the company has used its signature print to create has beautiful fabric face masks for the season, for both adults and kids.

MASKulture

 

According to new Trinidadian brand MASKulture, masks shouldn’t be a chore, but a symbol of unity, resilience, and style. To this end, the brand by Sarah Jane Waddell, CEO of SJW Designs, is committed to reeling out beautiful and comfortable face masks for all to enjoy wearing. The 100 per cent cotton masks come in two variants – Signature (pleated, double-layered and fitted with elastic ear loops) and Comfort (designed for longer wear users, with adjustable straps).

Trèfle Designs

 

Trèfle masks are rich in colour and comfort. Lead designer and founder of Trèfle, Kristin Frazer, normally focuses on swimsuits, resort attires, beddings, and accessories. But in the light of the pandemic, the British Virgins Islands designer has branched out to design some amazing 100 per cent organic cotton Caribbean-inspired face masks to keep ladies and kids fashionably protected.

Tamia Carey

Jamaican designer Tamia Carey Francis takes a unique route in her design of fashionable protective face masks. Not only do her masks feature bright colours and bold prints, but they also serve as distinctive fashion accessories that can bring any outfit to life. And then she takes it up a notch with unique combo designs with matching sets of masks or mask-scarfs, headbands, and face shields.

Rhion Romany

 

Trinidadian designer Rhion Romany has the most gorgeous and comfortable animal print protective face masks on offer. Each is made of polyester and spandex, with an inner 100 per cent microfiber cotton lining. The bright and brilliant colours are simply spellbinding. This  Trinidadian designer prides himself in his ability to create art, inspired by the islands, that is unique, yet trendy and relatable.

Levenity

Whether you’re searching for face masks with checkered patterns or something bright and floral, Levenity has these and many more. Haitian-American designer Venny Etienne injects his creative genius into each piece to ensure a trendy look. His brand Levenity is a progressive contemporary womenswear outfit dedicated to redefining luxury sports wears. And each mask attests to the deluxe outlook of Levenity.

More by Caribbean Designers:

quarantine outfits in caribbean Protect from COVID-19 with stylish Face Masks By Caribbean Designers Protect from COVID-19 with stylish Face Masks By Caribbean Designers

We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers

By
Monique McIntosh
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0
Caribbean Interior Designers Kitchens

Whether serving as a makeshift classroom for kids or a work hub for grownups, it’s clear that today’s kitchen has become much more than a place to prepare food. As the heart of the home, modern kitchens have become malleable spaces—and an endlessly creative platform for interior designers. To ignite our own inspiration, we spoke with three of our favourite Caribbean-American designers about their most imaginative Swoon-Worthy Kitchens projects.

Mod Moment: Island Home Interiors

We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
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From the caffeine-fueled morning rush to big holiday dinners, a family kitchen can sometimes feel like a traffic zone. So for one Boca Raton family kitchen, Jamaican-born designer Joelle Ebanks combined efficiency and elegance to create a modern look. “The clients wanted a very contemporary kitchen, but one that still felt approachable,” explains Ebanks. “It’s a place to spend time with their children while they’re cooking.” To achieve this look, fresh white cabinets in a streamlined Shaker style provided a slim profile, as well as plenty of enclosed storage. This was paired with a quartz countertop and solid backsplash that continued up the wall—a detail that’s as stylish as it’s practical. “They did not want the standard tile backsplash with grout that’s hard to clean, especially over the cooktop area,” notes the designer. “So they loved this option, which adds a level of sophistication and simplicity.

A large statement island, which the designer adorned in a bright blue to punctuate the fresh white palette, also became key in corralling movement throughout the space. “Everything happens at the island, from food prep to baking, to kids’ homework,” explains Ebanks about the island’s central role in the kitchen. “Now it serves as the true hub for friends and family.”

Glam Revival: Casa Vilora Interiors

We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
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Interior designers often find the most perfect creative playground in their own personal abode. For Veronica Solomon, a Jamaican-born designer based in Katy, Texas, her builder’s grade kitchen provided a blank canvas where she could show how thoughtful finishes can transform the most basic bones. As a proud maximalist, “I’m a big believer that your home should feel collected, presenting the things you love,” notes Solomon.

With this in mind, “I wanted to create an ‘unkitchen’ of sorts, adding personal touches to deflect away from that built-in look and closer to a piece of furniture.” This process began with transforming the cabinetry with moulding details and porcelain countertops. Color also proved key, like a deep teal for the island base, and a moody, textured grey on the upper cabinets applied by local faux painter Jenny Weaver. Solomon also swapped out the lower cabinets for drawers to improve accessibility, while replacing the upper doors with glass “so I can have items that are special to me on display.”

The designer also had fun experimenting with materials, from the chevron wooden inlay for the pantry door, to the “backsplash” statement wall of floor-to-ceiling hexagon tiles. “For me, it was a chance to push my range and show what you can do with simple details.”

Rustic Redux: Nicole White Designs

We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
We Love These Swoon-Worthy Kitchens By Caribbean Designers
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The confident cook knows that fusing culinary styles can lead to delicious results. The same is true in interior design, as Nicole White demonstrates in this dramatic kitchen overhaul in Miramar. The client craved “a contemporary space, but with some rustic charm,” explains White. “So we focused on mixing elements to create that sense of warmth and comfort.”

To mingle these contrasting styles in the same space, the designer depended on a monochromatic blend of neutrals. Crisp white cabinets and quartz countertops help add a modern note. She then used a deep, warm grey to ground the central island, while adding some lightness with the bleached-out tones of the Barnwood-style porcelain tile flooring. These hues played well with metallic accents like the industrial bar stools, the chrome farmhouse sink, and vented hood.

More rustic moments emerge from other decorative elements like the backsplash tile, applied in a basketweave pattern that “pays homage to that classic farmhouse style,” notes White. To inject more warmth, live edge wood is also used to create the dining area and open display shelves, which are perfect to quickly access dishes and display cherished mementoes. These thoughtful details “all showcase this as a space meant for large family meals and memories.”

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Create a Stylish Dinner with This Caribbean Designer Tableware

By
Monique McIntosh
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Caribbean Designer tableware
Clockwise: Atelier Calla cowherd and mahogany bowl, Moody Ceramics porcelain plate, Moody Ceramics porcelain spoon set, and Le Creuset round dutch oven in Caribbean color way.

When it comes to preparing a meal, a beautiful presentation can make a dish taste extra delicious, just as much as any seasoning. With this in mind, we’ve gathered our favourite designer cooking tools and Caribbean Designer Tableware Accessories. Think stunning ceramics, textiles, and traditional cookware that will become the star of any kitchen. Filled with warm wood, colourful patterns, and traditional materials, these beautiful pieces will add authentic island vibes to any tablescape.

Bahama Hand Prints 

Caribbean Designer tableware
Bahama Hand Prints matching napkin and place mat set in their Pineapple Fields design.

Bring the botanical wonder of The Bahamas to your tablescape with these hand-screened, vibrant placemats and napkins by Bahama Hand Prints. Founded by locals in 1966, the brand features both vintage patterns and new designs by Bahamian artists.

IMUSA Granite Mortar and Pestle

IMUSA Granite Mortar and Pestle

Add a little flavor the old-fashioned way with this traditional mortar and pestle, featuring an iconic shape used for thousands of years. The non-porous granite is perfect for grinding fresh herbs and spices.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Caribbean Designer tableware
Le Creuset round dutch oven in Caribbean color way.

An island cookware ensemble isn’t complete without a traditional dutch oven. This one by the premier French brand will become the crown jewel of any kitchen, especially in their classic Caribbean blue colorway.

Moody Ceramics

Caribbean Designer tableware
Moody Ceramics porcelain cup and spoons set.

Weekday suppers feel extra special when served with these delicate and playful ceramic pieces handmade in Montreal, Canada by artist Gabriela García (originally from the Dominican Republic).

Atelier Calla Cheese Platter

Caribbean Designer tableware
Atelier Calla mahogany and cowherd cheeseboard and cheese knife set.

Traditional Caribbean materials like mahogany and cowhorn are transformed in this unapologetically modern cheese board and matching cheese knife by Haitian designer Christelle Chignard Paul. Each piece is handmade in her fair-trade artisan workshop. Available at: themarketplacenc.com

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Boost Your Beauty Regime With These Natural Caribbean Ingredients

By
Rebecca Hugh
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Natural Caribbean Beauty Ingredients
All natural Caribbean coconut oil add a nourishing boost to Cedros Bay Cosmetics coconut body scrub.

When it comes to beauty regimens, your Caribbean grandma knows best. New scientific research has discovered the power of old-school remedies, using natural ingredients found throughout the islands. Now many Caribbean companies are bringing these traditional beauty secrets to the 21st century, incorporating native extracts into their products. From skin irritation to fine lines and wrinkles, here are a few of the noteworthy superfoods that can alleviate your skin and hair challenges, and the island-proud brands that are harvesting their nutrient-rich power.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil, Natural Caribbean Beauty Ingredients

Coconut oil is a multi-purpose ingredient that can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine. Thanks to its high concentration of fatty acids, this natural lubricant locks in moisture, protecting against dryness and irritation. Coconut oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is packed with lauric acid—a nutrient found to help combat acne and reduce inflammation.

Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Cedros Bay Cosmetics has made 100 percent organic virgin coconut oil the star of their show. Taking a farm-to-skin approach to beauty, they use the Caribbean-made ingredient in all their products—like their detoxifying Charcoal Face Mask, which deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin.

Mango

Natural Caribbean Beauty Ingredients
The St. Croix-based brand Itiba uses every part of the mango in their skincare products, like their lotion.

Oh delicious, sweet mango! A staple treat in any Caribbean household, every part of this tropical fruit has healing properties. Extracts from mango flesh and peel are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamins A and C, both powerhouse antioxidants that improve skin renewal, boost collagen, even out skin tone and reduce inflammation caused by acne. Mango seed butter is a non-comedogenic moisturizer—it melts into the skin without clogging pores. This makes it an ideal balm to soothe dryness or irritation caused by rashes, insect bites, and sunburns.

Itiba, a skincare line from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has infused these extracts into their variety of skin serums and lotions. Their popular Mango soap, for example, features locally harvested mango pulp.

Moringa

moringa - Natural Caribbean Ingredients
Moringa Oil is the star ingredient in this handmade soap by Jazzy’s All Natural.

Keep your skin fresh and beautiful by adding a little moringa oil to your daily regime. Extracted from the seeds of the moringa tree, this special oil is high in vitamin E—an antioxidant known for its anti-bacterial and hydration properties. It’s also useful for protecting the skin from dry air, pollution, and other environmental irritants. It also contains healthy doses of vitamin C, which aids in collagen production to enhance that beautiful glow.

The oil is a key ingredient in the all-natural moringa soap handmade by Jazzy’s All Natural Vincy Products, based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Black Castor Oil

Natural Caribbean Beauty Ingredients
Tropic Isle Living infuses traditional Jamaican black castor oil into their popular hair growth line, which includes a growth oil, leave-in mist, and protein conditioner.

This ingredient is extremely popular among naturalists in the know. Extracted from castor seeds roasted to boost their nutrient value, black castor oil has become popular as a hair balm due to its rich emollient properties. Its multiple uses include treating irritated scalps and dandruff while smoothing frizz and adding shine. Black castor oil also contains high doses of ricinoleic acid. This nutrient helps lock in the moisture that’s essential for overall hair health and sustained growth.

For those trying to grow out their locks, try the Jamaican black castor oil products from Tropic Isle Living. The brand is most celebrated for its organic oil, made through the traditional roasting process. In addition, they also infuse the valuable extract throughout their hair care line of shampoos, conditioners, and deep treatment masks.

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Three Questions – Entanglements and more

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admin
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Xavier Murphy (Jamaicans.com), Ian Hamilton (SFLCN.com), Eddy Edwards (Jerk Festival) and Lloyd Stanbury (Majesty Media) give spur of the moment answers to popular questions, like… how would you feel if your spouse told you about “Entanglements”?

Verandah Talk – with Xavier Murphy of Jamaicans.com and Ian Hamilton of SFLCN.com

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admin
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Bosses from the popular websites Jamaicans.com and South Florida Caribbean News Verandah Talk about their roles as the voices of the Caribbean community. Island Origins publisher Calibe Thompson guides the conversation.

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