Make the classics, healthy dishes or give your Thanksgiving menu a new twist! Hope you enjoy them and maybe get some new ideas! Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Cardamom The various colours and flavour in the rice dish reflect our vibrant Trini culture. WIMCO Villas. He explained, “this is what happens when the best of Jamaica and Trinidad come together; showcasing the fruits of what both cultures have been able to make out of necessity.” [Image: Chi-Chi Ari ] Then scoop out the remaining juices at the bottom of the pan (strain off the vegeables) and make into a rich gravy. Island Style Bread and Butter Pudding (with Angostura bitters) To a west indian palate, this turkey will be very bland and tasteless imho. I’m from Trinidad and I hate stuffing! Coming from Trinidad, I am so used to “seasoning” marinating our meats before cooking, especially poultry. Trinidad Thanksgiving! Not really, just being smart! For me, my Thanksgiving meal is always a work in progress to the very last minute! 8-10 sprigs of fresh thyme Thanks for the tip I am going to try method. If I recall correctly, one of my dad’s friends gave him 3 turkeys and from that we had about 8 running around the yard for a few years. Except in my case I didn’t add the butter they suggested for a richer stuffing. If I don’t have any in the fridge and need roasted garlic ASAP, I just turn the gas stove on and throw a few cloves, with the peel on, for a minute or two on the fire and then peel them and use in whatever dish I’m prepping. Here is a close up picture of how I tucked the wings under the back. Regina Schrambling’s Almond-Cranberry Cookies The season is all about the festivities and this dish also known as festive rice. 200 mL : Passionfruit Syrup Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 with our delicious recipes for roast turkey, pumpkin pie and a whole lot more. I have tried a few of your Trini recipes and I liked it very much. Caribbean Banana Lime Bread With Coconut Oil, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Eggs, Banana, Milk, Fresh Lime Juice, Mashed Bananas, Fresh Ginger, Kosher Salt, Shredded Coconut, White Flour, Wheat Flour, Baking Powder, Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Brown Sugar, Coconut. You can always put halved lemons or onions there. Find a recipe where the instructions are clear, the ingredients used are those you like (no sense making one with stuff you hate) and where you can add your own personal touch. Your email address will not be published. Remove the giblets and neck (see inside the cavity or under the skin in the neck region), then rinse the bird under cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. What else can I use to stuff my bird that I actually might want to eat? A bit more work, but you can also work your fingers between the skin (breast area) and the meat and work some butter into that area. Just Desserts. .. so without further delay here is my ‘Island’ Thanksgiving roundup, and hey retrocook they even include several recipes that incorporate Angostura bitters!! A simple cocktail punch which any one can make quickly that packs a ‘punch’ (pun there hahaha) of flavour is one I call ‘CoCo rendezvous’. For bite size desserts at larger gatherings we average 1 1/2 pieces per person as some people may have two (or more!) Let’s prepare the stuffing first. The next step is to (using your fingers) put pieces of the soft butter all over the turkey (with the turkey’s breast facing up, so it’s sitting on it’s back), then massage the butter all over all exposed skin, especially the breast area. If you purchased a packaged turkey there should be cooking times posted on the packaging. I didn’t do that method this time, but by placing the butter there, it supposedly gives you a more moist turkey. My Parents are from the US(South Carolina) and they make a mean stuffing with sausage and unsweetened cornbread (although, I like to ad just a touch of sugar for balance). Tip: If you don’t have a roasting pan with a lid like I used, use an open roasting pan but be sure to tent it with aluminum foil. Discover our menu and order delivery or pick up from a Popeyes near you. If you choose to baste, using a baster or spoon every 30 minutes pour some of the broth from the bottom of the pan over the turkey. Pumpkin Soup (with Angostura Bitters) Its Chris... enter your name & email address below and I'll send you SIZZLE. Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Plan with a Caribbean Flair Turkey : Our turkey seasoning includes adobo, sazón, and white vinegar, with which we marinate the turkey for two days. The Poole, Tenbrink, McKnight family Thanksgiving reunion meeting place I never eat it and always skip it. When it reaches the desired temperature it pops out to let you know that the turkey is fully cooked. Make Puerto Rico dining reservations and find a perfect spot for any event. (remove all the upper racks from the oven, since you’ll be using the lowest rack). Trinidad & Tobago is well on its way to becoming a culinary hot-spot of the Caribbean. Roasted garlic can last up to two weeks in the fridge, but mine never last more than three days because I use them in everything! 300g pure pork sausage (just over 1/2 pound) Though I don’t recall roasted (bake) turkey being among the common dishes enjoyed on the islands, it’s enjoyed in our home so I thought I’d share my recipe with you. 1 tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley. Thanks. Instead, I cook a pound of bacon and use that in my stuffing with a 1/2 box of Bell’s poultry seasoning. It adds a completely different dimension to every dish. I am now in UK and over here we tend to stuff the neck cavity of the turkey and not the belly. It's really good and satisfying! I love all your recipes.very simple and clearly understood .from the Caribbean Islands Trini.keep doing what you doing. The adventures and experiences of our mission to Trinidad Port of Spain. BTW one of the best animal fights I’ve ever witnessed was two male turkeys at war! Hello Chris, I'm also living in the UK and we put strips of streaky bacon on the breast to prevent drying out. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago officially recognizes a number of holidays and celebrations from most represented groups. The key is to have some patience and allow it to cook slowly in the oven. Rough chop the celery, onion and carrots, then place on the bottom of the roasting pan along with the fresh thyme. Remember to scoop out the stuffing! When in Rome! (delicious easy-to-follow recipes directly to your inbox). 200 mL : Elderflower Syrup This will form a bed for the turkey to rest on while roasting.Place the stuffed turkey on top of the cut vegetables then gently pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth. Side Dishes: Grandma Lizzie's Cornbread Dressing. We use a simple recipe seasoning the turkey under the skin then rub with the butter,turns out quite good.We also bake the stuffing separately. Plus I add a few things which makes it a bit more than just a package stuffing mix. This will aviod the bird getting burnt during the long baking period (also helps self baste it) Remove the tent the final 30 minutes of so to help it achieve that golden brown colour. Hello Chris, My wife does a really good turkey, though can you help us in making Cranberry sauce to go with it as we have never done it and would like to try it. Executive Chef John Aboud's food has been described as innovative and unique. The only things left to complete Christian's visa application were his international yellow fever immunization and his police report. When cooking for larger groups, choose a simple menu that's still filling. give it some time to cool and rest a bit. The following holidays are those that are officially observed in Trinidad and Tobago: Public Holidays. Leave the J cloth all the time and the skin of the bird will still be crispy. King Arthur Flour’s Fudge Pudding Cake You are a Trini man, where were your seasonings? Drink responsibly. Buttermilk Cornbread. Aioli offers a Mediterranean inspired-menu for lunch and dinner in a beautiful, inviting setting. Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with Lime Marmalade (with Angostura bitters) Hey Chris, Sauce. Why spend valuable time cleaning, boiling and straining sorrel when you can just add water to Fresh Start sorrel concentrate. See restaurant for details. this will help you achieve that golden brown colour when it’s all done cooking. Reserve now at top Caribbean restaurants, read reviews, explore menus & photos. God bless. Great looking Turkey. © 2021 TGI Fridays Franchisor, LLC. If the legs were secured when you first purchased it, detach it (usually held together with the skin from the tail or bottom area) so it’s easier to stuff. , Creamy Coleslaw with Peppers and Sour Cream, Banana and Rice Stuffed Chicken (with Angostura bitters) Escaping to a Caribbean island isn't a traditional Thanksgiving plan, but if you're looking for a tropical adventure or to escape the cold of impending winter, it's a fun getaway.You can take a break from the holiday completely and just enjoy local food and beaches.Or, if you need your yearly fixing of turkey, there are also several resorts that offer special holiday menus for 2019. Scalloped Potatoes Blessings. Thank you for your help. Must have been over one of the females in the yard. Daddy's Biscuits. ... Its culinary philosophy features seasonally inspired menu selections that focus on local ingredients, Fresh Herbs sourced from our garden and live cooking to produce beautifully crafted... See More. However, I do get compliments even though I cheat when it comes to the stuffing. We usually have a pretty large crowd when we host Thanksgiving, anywhere from 20-30 people. Maybe we should have something like that but not a holiday just a day of thanks for the good life some of us have that we may not be giving thanks for. You won’t believe what a nice flavour and texture the sausage adds to the stuffing.. gives it some “body”. Hi Chris, Also, I use reynolds turkey bags and i get an exceptionally moist and very softly cooked turkey, Just something to try. Slice the stalk of celery in thin slices and chop about 1 tablespoon of flat leaf parsley which you’ll add to a bowl. Love your recipes and very simple .thank you for sharing.Blessings to you. Roasted garlic goes better with everything. But, I always like to try other turkey recipes and after reading yours, I could not believe how bland and tasteless it sounded. Before we begin I must mention that cooking a turkey is very simple and it should not scare you. Watch how we prepare our Thanksgiving Feast | holiday feast over a period of a week, from shopping, to prepping to cooking. Roasted Spiced Sweet Potatoes Rough chop the celery, onion and carrots, then place on the bottom of the roasting pan along with the fresh thyme. I am a Trini and have been living in Canada and the U.S, for over 40 years. Multiple pastas with multiple sauces, salads, baked meats or fish, pies (macaroni etc.). But I have to say you have much better recipe than mine. 10 Dashes : Angostura Aromatic Bitters This year were going to fry a couple of turkey's. You’ll notice that I cheated and used a pre-packaged stuffing. Banana Pie with Angostura??? 300 mL : Lime Juice BTW, my mom makes a deadly stew (like our stew chicken, beef, pork etc) with turkey wings and drumsticks which I’ll share in the months to come. On one hand I’m so blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to travel the world and even have the chance to see Trinidad. This is my recipe for the “CoCo rendezvous”: Two handfuls of fresh mint Two bags of frozen mixed berries (rather than adding ice which will dilute your punch, the frozen berries will thaw out chilling down your punch and acting as your garnish too) 4.3. This will form a bed for the turkey to rest on while roasting.Place the stuffed turkey on top of the cut vegetables then gently pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth. Rosemary Roasted Chicken With Brussels Sprouts. Use the bacon fat instead of butter on the skin.And who doesn’t like bacon??? Roasted garlic for the win! 2 cups of chicken broth (low sodium) Yum! Carrot Moulds (with Angostura Bitters) Country singer Trisha Yearwood fills her Thanksgiving menu with Southern comfort foods, like pecan pie and buttermilk cornbread. I did not bother to try it. I have been making Turkey dinners for many years now and I consider myself an expert at it, and I have been told by everyone who have tried mine, it is superb. Hi chris, I noticed you did not sew the bottom after you put the stuffing. Be sure to drain out any water from the cavity area by holding over the sink, then using the stuffing we made earlier… stuff that sucka! Our easy-to-use app shows you all the restaurants and nightlife options in your city, along with menus, photos, and reviews. This mouthwatering stuffing is made from plantains, bacon, garlic, and … Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com. Oye! Blah! Happy Responsible Drinking everyone! You’re basically following the directions on the package, except you’re adding the extra ingredients I mentioned above. Please check your email to get started. Most of those items can be prepared beforehand the night before and will easily stay fresh overnight in your fridge. If I was to host a Tropical Thanksgiving, what would I serve? The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. 1 box Paxo (Pepperidge Farms) – 227 g or 8 oz For that extra kick we could all use during the holidays, replace one part water with white rum for an authentic Trini cocktail everyone will enjoy! Jul 5, 2015 - Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, you can always appreciate a delicious meal with friends and family. Let’s get the roasting pan ready…. Even though we don’t have 4 seasons here (so phrases like fall and harvest are moot) I am a huge fan of pumpkin, squash, and roasted meats nyam nyam nyam! Now you’ve got the start to a simple way of how to make your dinner memorable. For the spice lovers, I sometimes add a chili pepper to the gravy, just one to give it a little kick. Chef Streete created a menu that he calls “Homecoming”. In Memory Of Karen Nicole Smith, 1972 - 2016. 1/2 stick butter (soft). 2 cups diced celery Dave had gone over everything with a fine tooth comb to ensure all the details. Tip: To avoid the legs and breast going too dark (early) you can rip some aluminum foil and place it over those areas. Black pepper – fresh ground works best (about 1/2 teaspoon) Moonstone Grill: Great thanksgiving dinner - See 229 traveler reviews, 40 candid photos, and great deals for Trinidad, CA, at Tripadvisor. Make this year's Thanksgiving feast a winner with Food Network's best menus for any style of celebration, from quick and easy to Southern style. Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole, Mango Lassi My experience with turkeys as a child was the “big chicken” that moved around our yard that me and my brother were warned not to pelt with stones (we tested our mom). Smearing the bird with butter, just does not make the grade. And you can pop them into the oven and let the magic happen! Feel free to toss in the neck into the pan if you have room (providing you like the neck). Yes, this past Monday was turkey day in Canada and as any good Canadian (I have the people passport) I prepared a turkey for dinner as we’ve done since our girls were born. The butter will help it stick to the turkey. So, for this post I thought that I would troll the ol blogosphere for Thanksgiving recipes with an ‘island twist’ that all can enjoy! Butter the cloth before you put it on the bird. I usually slice a lemon and stuff my birdie with lots of celery leaves, chives, piemento peppers and crushed garlic cloves. pre-heat the oven to 325. When I’m roasting vegetables, I simply cut a a few heads of garlic in half, drizzle some olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the oven on high alongside my vegetables, then store them in their peel in the fridge after they’ve cooled. As you can see you’ll need at least 3 hours for a fully cooked, golden brown and succulent turkey.