Trinidad

Our Posts about Trinidad

Steve
Steve

Taste of the Caribbean: Lemon Lime & Bitters, the Taste that Tops Ting

lemon-lime-and-bitters

Ting may be tops in Patrick’s book when it comes to Caribbean sodas, but for me nothing’s better than an LLB!
A product of Trinidad’s legendary Angostura beverage company, Lemon Lime & Bitters is a wonderfully flavorful and refreshing accompaniment to any West Indian dish.
I came to know LLB’s on the first day of a recent visit to my Dad’s place in Tobago a few years ago. I remember it was an especially hot day and I, overdressed from my flight, was dying for some refreshment. My Dad offered me an LLB and I, of course, refused.
Why? Well, you have to know my Dad.

continue…
3 comments | ,
Steve
Steve

Taste of the Caribbean: The Bite-Size Glory That is Pholourie

Pholourie/SBPR

A broad range of fried dough treats are prevalent in the culinary traditions of just about every Caribbean destination. My own personal favorite would have to be the Johnny Cakes I grew up with in St. Croix, a treat so special it inspired my all-time favorite Christmas carol. But we’ll save that delicious discourse for another time. Today we’re hungry for the fluffy round golden glories pictured above known as pholourie.
Touted recently by the gourmet gurus at Saveur, who incidentally got wind of ‘em from TriniGourmet.com, pholourie is a staple appetizer or snack food in Trinidad & Tobago where it’s enjoyed at all hours of the day.

continue…
5 comments | , , ,
Steve
Steve

Saturday Video: Having a Laugh with Paul Keens-Douglas

PaulKeens

Naomi Campbell, Robin Williams, Martha Stewart, Traci Bingham – I’ve met and worked with a lot of different celebrities over the course of my PR career, but never have I been more starstruck than when I met the guy featured in the video above.
This is Paul Keens-Douglas. A native of Trinidad who spent much of his early years in Grenada, Paul (also known as Tim Tim) is one of the most popular Caribbean storytellers around. He is also one of my greatest childhood idols. During the pre-cable TV days of late-70′s and early-80′s in St. Croix, I used to spend endless hours sitting around listening to Tim Tim performances on records and cassettes.

continue…
2 comments | ,
Patrick
Patrick

Travel Back in Time (or at least to Trinidad) with Roti in Brooklyn

Trinidad Roti

I know Stephen wouldn’t debate this statement: our mom made the best roti ever.
What’s a roti? The simple answer is the ultimate comfort meal of curry wrapped in a thin dough—borrowed from India and perfected in Trinidad and Tobago. The more complicated answer has to do with the emotions that well up within many West Indians whenever we find ourselves on the topic of roti and the role this seemingly simple meal has played in our lives.
Despite my poor memory, I can very clearly remember the feelings (if not the actual experiences) of when our family was blessed with my mom going through the trouble of making us roti.

continue…
25 comments | , , , ,
Steve
Steve

Another Option for Auto Racing Action Under the Warm Caribbean Sun

VK-Sportsman (Vivek Maharaj) via flickr

Recently, I wrote here about my surprise at learning of a professional rally race in Jamaica and my desire to head back to JA to check it out. Well, now it seems I’ll have to expand my travel plans as I just heard there’s another Caribbean destination where I can get my auto racing fix – Trinidad & Tobago.
The Trinidad & Tobago Rally Club actually puts on a Championship Series each year, with 7 races contested between February and October. Their biggest race, Rally Trinidad, is held in March and attracts an international field of drivers from Barbados, St.

continue…
3 comments | ,
Patrick
Patrick

Taste of the Caribbean: Peardrax Sparkling Pear Drink, Trini to the Bone?

peardrax

There’s a sentiment in the Caribbean that people or things originally from the islands are inherently better than transplants. That those “bahn here” (born here) should get more respect than those from abroad. I’ve certainly used this prevailing mindset to my advantage in the past to go places and experience the Caribbean in ways that would be more difficult for others, but with some openness and time, anyone or anything can be adopted into the island way of life. Just look at Peardrax.
This sparkling pear drink has been a staple of my diet since my days growing up on St.

continue…
4 comments | ,
Patrick
Patrick

Friday Happy Hour: The Scarlet Ibis Trini Rum by way of New York

scarlet

I have a very odd milestone rapidly approaching. In 2011, if I still don’t call the Caribbean my home-base, I will have lived away from the Caribbean longer than I’ve lived in the Caribbean.
As sad as that sounds, it hasn’t been too bad since I’ve called New York City my home for the past 11 years. Here you can get anything, from any culture at almost any time of day. (In fact, one of my favorite Trini roti shops is here in Brooklyn, but I’ll reveal that taste of the Caribbean another day.)
Today’s case in point is Scarlet Ibis rum.

continue…
7 comments | ,
Web Analytics