Dining In - Favorite Barbadian & Caribbean Recipes
Try one of the Delicious Recipes below!
- Bajan Macaroni Pie
- Brined Cajun Turkey
- Chicken Fajitas
- Conkies
- Cou-Cou & Flying Fish
- Curried Potato Turnovers
- Fish Cakes
- Jug Jug
- Lamb Kebabs
- Lean Pudding & Souse
- Roasted Potatoes
- Rum Punch
- Simple Spinach Omelet
- Sorrel
- Traditional Bajan Stuffing
Bajan Macaroni Pie
- 1 lb macaroni
- 1 green sweet pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp French's Mustard
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp Bajan seasoning (see below)
- 16 oz grated Cheddar cheese
- 1tbsp Bajan Seasoning
Cook and drain macaroni (do not overcook). Transfer to a large bowl, and add ingredients mixing each ingredient in slowly (including 3/4 cheese). Mix everything together with a spoon. Place macaroni into a pyrex dish using the 1/4 grated cheese on top as a crust. Place in oven at 350°F. The Pie is finished when the top cheese starts to look slightly brown.

BRINED CAJUN TURKEY
Ingredients for Brine
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Ingredients for Seasoning Blend together:
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Prepare the turkey - removing bag containing the neck and gizzard and cleaning it. Combine the 'ingredients for Brine' (not including the turkey), with 1½ - 2 gallons of water in a large plastic container and stir to dissolve sugar and salt. Place turkey in the liquid and refrigerate for 12 - 24 hours. Turn the turkey periodically to ensure it is evenly marinated. Once ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the brine, pat dry with paper towels and rub the seasoning blend all over the turkey and inside the cavity. With the breast side up, place the turkey in a large, heavy roasting pan and rub with vegetable oil. Place in oven and roast until deep golden brown, approximately 20minutes per pound. Once finished, remove from oven and let stand for about 15minutes before carving.

CHICKEN FAJITAS
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1½ lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
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2 packs chicken seasoning
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1 tsp minced garlic
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½ tsp ground geera
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½ tsp chilli powder
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 lg onion sliced
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1 lg. sweet pepper cut into strips
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1½ cups grated cheddar cheese
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¾ cup salsa
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12 flour tortillas
Combine chicken seasoning, garlic, geera, chilli and olive oil to season the chicken. Cook chicken in a medium non-stick skillet for approx 8 minutes or until done. Add onions and sweet peppers and cook for another 5 minutes. Spoon ½ cup of chicken mixture onto each tortilla, topping with a sprinkle of cheese and 1tbsp salsa. Fold tortilla skin to overlap. Continue until all of the filling is used. Serve hot. Goes well with sour cream and guacamole.

CONKIES
Often served in November as a part of the Independence celebrations, conkies are a sweet, cornmeal-based food. The mixture: cornmeal, pumpkin, coconut and sweet potato, are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Originally, conkies were served from the 18century to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, November 5th. This tradition remained and after Barbados gained Independence, November 30th, 1966, the delicacy synonymous with the independence celebrations. To this day, conkies are exclusive to November.
It could be argued that this is because it is a painstaking process which persons care not do on a regular basis. Whatever the reason, conkies are scarce and sometimes non-existent in the remaining 11 months of the year. You too can take part in the preparation of conkies during this year's Independence celebrations, by following our recipe.

COU COU & FLYING FISH
COU COU
- 1 lb corn meal
- 8 okras
- 16 ozs water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 ozs chopped onions
- ½ tsp chopped garlic
- 2 tsp chopped herbs
- 2 ozs butter
Soak cornmeal in cold water for five minutes. Combine okras, salt, onions, garlic and herbs in saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain off okras and hold. In a thick bottom saucepan, over a low flame put the soaked cornmeal and half of the okra liquid. Stir constantly with a coucou stick. Add in stages the remaining okra liquid. Continue to stir and allow to steam until corn meal is totally cooked. Add okra and butter. Mix well and serve with the steamed flying fish.

STEAMED FLYING FISH
- 8 flying fish fillets
- 3 limes
- 1 tbsp salt
- 3 tbsp Bajan Seasoning
- 1 large onion sliced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper cut in julienne strips
- ½ oz fresh thyme
- ½ oz fresh marjoram
- 1 tsp parsley chopped
- 1 large tomato chopped
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp hot pepper sauce
- ½ tsp curry powder
- 3 tbsp margarine
Marinate the raw fish in the salt and lime juice for 10 minutes. Rinse the fish and pat dry with paper towels, then rub in the Bajan Seasoning and leave to marinate for 1 hour. Roll each fish into a sausage shape, starting with the tail. Heat the margarine in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until the onions become transparent. Add the tomato and parsley and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Tie the thyme and marjoram together and add to the pan together with the remaining ingredients. Place rolled fish on mixture in pan, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until fish is cooked.
CURRIED POTATO TURNOVERS
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 pk all purpose seasoning
- ½ cup cold water
For Filling
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp. curry powder dissolved in ¼ cup water
- 1 sm. onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lb. potatoes, diced
- ½ cup water
- 1 (14 oz.) tin mixed vegetables
- 1 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 tsps. flour dissolved in ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup melted butter

Dissolve all-purpose seasoning in a cold water, in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, work the butter into flour until the butter breaks up into tiny pieces. Slowly add water to the mixture and knead until dough forms a ball. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In the meantime, heat oil in a medium pot, add curry powder and allow to cook for a few minutes until it thickens. Add garlic, onion and potatoes and stir. Add water and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked. Add mixed vegetables, jerk seasoning and flour/water mixture. Cook until thickens and remove from heat.
Remove dough from fridge and roll out to about ⅛" thickness on a clean, floured surface. Cut out squares of dough approximately 3" x 3" and spoon 2tbsp of filling in the centre of each square. Wet the edges with a little water, fold in half and use a fork to seal. Place on a baking tray and brush over with melted butter. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
BAJAN FISH CAKES
- ½ lb salted cod fish, cooked and flaked
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 cup onions, finely chopped
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp eschalots (finely chopped)
- 1 large fresh hot pepper (finely chopped)
In a heavy frying pan, heat the oil and sauté the onions until they are just wilted. Place flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Make a well in centre and pour egg, butter and milk. Mix together lightly, then add the onions, eschalots, salted cod fish, salt and pepper. Stir well. Drop by tablespoonful into hot oil, but do not crowd the pan. Fishcakes are done when golden brown

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JUG JUG
- ½ lb pork or chicken
- ½ lb salt beef (corned beef)
- 4-5 cups water
- 1 hot pepper
- 8 cups pigeon peas
- 1 tbsp thyme
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 tbsp chives
- 1 medium onion
- 1 cup guinea corn flour *Oats are a good substitute for guinea corn
- 2 tbsp margarine

METHOD
Cut up meat and chop thyme, parsley and chives. Boil the meat in water for 20minutes. Add the salt beef, peas and herbs and continue to cook the mixture for another 30 minutes or until peas are soft. When done, strain off, saving the stock for later. Next, mince the meat, peas and seasoning using a mortar or an electric blender.
Cook the corn flour in the stock for about 10 minutes-stirring constantly. Add minced ingredients, stir and cook for about half hour stirring the mixture until it reaches a fairly stiff consistency. Cover and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Before removing from the heat, stir in some of the margarine. When done, turn mixture out on a dish-spreading it smoothly with the remainder of the margarine.
Serve hot with sliced ham and chicken.
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ½ cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh mint
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 1 tbsp cracked peppercorn
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cumin/ground geera
- 2 lbs. boneless lamb, cubed
- 3 med. onions, cut into quarters
- 3 med sweet peppers, cut into chunks
- 12 skewers
In a medium bowl, whisk the first 8 ingredients to make the marinade. Remove 1/2 cup of marinade and refrigerate to be used for basting. Coat the lamb with the remaining marinade. Refrigerate mixture and leave to marinate for 2hours. Once nicely marinated, thread lamb onto skewers alternating sweet peppers and onions. Grill or barbaque over a medium-high heat, turn occasionally to prevent burning and brush with reserved marinate on each turn.

LEAN PUDDING & SOUSE
THE SOUSE
- 6 lbs of pork stewing meat cut into 1 inch chunks
- 1 Tbsp. Salt
- 2 Tsp Minced Garic
- 1 Thinly sliced Onion
- 1 Chopped Hot pepper
- 1 Cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 cups water
- 2 Large cucumbers , peeled and diced
- ½ Tsp . Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Salt

THE SWEET POTATO PUDDING
- 3 lbs. Sweet potatoes peeled & Grated
- 2 Tsps. Salt
- 1 Tsp. ground cloves
- 2 medium finely chopped Onions
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 3 Tbsp. margarine
- 2 Tbsp. Bajan Seasoning
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. gravy browning
- 1 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce
1½ lbs small potatoes
3 cloves thinly sliced garlic
2 tbsp olive oil or canola oil
½ tsp crumbled rosemary
Since the nutrients are just below the skin, we are going to scrub the potatoes, instead of peeling. Scrub and rinse potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400oF. In a large bowl combine the ingredients and transfer to a roasting pan. Allow to roast for 45 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

TIPS
- When choosing potatoes, look for the ones with the smoothest skin, with as few blemishes as possible. Also avoid the greenish ones as they will have a bitter taste.
- If the potatoes are large, cut them first in halves or quarters, depending.
- To make roasting easier, you could first cook the potatoes on the stove top in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Do this before combining with other ingredients.
RUM PUNCH
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 cups dark rum
- 2 cups crushed ice
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Grated nutmeg.
Serve ice-cold.

SIMPLE SPINACH OMELET
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup torn baby spinach leaves
- 1 ½ tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- salt and pepper to taste
In a bowl, beat the eggs, and stir in the baby spinach and Parmesan cheese. Season with onion powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. In a small skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat, cook the egg mixture about 3 minutes, until partially set. Flip with a spatula, and continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes, or to desired doneness.
SORREL DRINK
- 1 pound dried sorrel
- boiling water
- Whole cloves
- Sugar
- Salt
Place the dried sorrel into a large jug, cover with boiling water and let steep for at least two hours. Pour through a strainer and sugar to taste and add a pinch of salt. Place in covered containers along with a few whole cloves and refrigerate. Serve cold or pour over ice. A dash of rum or Falernum adds some extra punch!

READ MORE
TRADITIONAL BAJAN SORREL
- 3 packs of crackers
- 1 onion, diced
- 12 oz dice cooked ham (optional)
- 3 oz chopped herbs (thyme, sweet basil, marjoram, parsley)
- 1 oz chopped garlic
- 1 oz chopped chives
- 1 oz Bajan seasoning
- 1 oz pepper sauce
- 3 oz melted butter
- 3 oz hot water
- 1 oz curry powder
- ½ oz cumin powder
- Salt and pepper
- Pepper sauce to taste
Preheat oven at 350°F. Break crackers finely into a bowl, add water and allow to soak. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan and saute the herbs, onions, spices and chives in melted butter. Fold sauted ingredients along with remaining ingredients into soaked crackers. Once combined, transfer the mixture into a buttered baking dish and allow to bake for 40 minutes.
Bajan Sweet Treats
- Bajan Black Cake - From Grandmas Kitchen
- Corn Pudding
- Ponche De Creme
- Sorrel Jam
- Sugar Cakes
- Tamarind Balls
BLACK CAKE - From Grandmas Kitchen
- 6lbs mixed dried fruits (raisins, prunes, candied cherries).
- ½ lb mixed citrus peel
- 1 cup sweet red wine
- ½ cup rum
- ½ cup falurnum
- 1 bottle Guiness stout
- 2 lbs brown sugar
- 1½ tbsp mixed spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg etc)
- 1 lb unsalted butter
- 12 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1¼ flour
- 1 lb almonds grounded
- 1 tsp. salt
- Browning

When ready to bake:
Heat oven to 250 degrees F. and line 3 cake pans with waxed paper. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until and fluffy, and in a seperate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons water to egg and essence. Whisk until light, then add to the butter mixture.
Combine the remaining dry products (flour, salt and ground almonds) in another bowl. Gradually stir flour mixture and fruit alternately into butter mixture. Add browning to bring to a dark brown colour, similar to chocolate.
Gently pour or spoon mixture into prepared cake pans and cover with foil. Fill the pan ¾ full. Bake for 2 ½ hours, reduce heat to 150 degrees F and bake for another 2 hours. Allow to cool before removing from pans. Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container.
CORN PUDDING
- 3 slightly beaten eggs
- 2 cups canned whole kernel corn - drained
- 2 cups skimmed milk
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tbsp low-fat margarine
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Combine all the ingredients and pour into a greased casserole dish. Place dish in a shallow pan containing one inch of hot water. Bake at 350oF or 180oC for 40 to 45 minutes. See if complete by inserting a knife. If it comes out clean, your corn pudding is done, other-wise leave in for another 5 to 10 minutes and check again.

PONCHE DE CREME
- 12 eggs
- 1 cup rum (or more)
- 2 cans condense milk
- 3 cans evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Angostura bitters to taste
- Nutmeg
Whisk eggs for about 1 minute or until smothe. Whisk in other ingredients one at a time until nicely blended. Refrigerate. Stir before serving. Pour over cracked ice and sprinkle gratered nutmeg.

SORREL JAM
- 2 lbs sorrel sepals seeded
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 3 lbs granulated sugar
a jar
Wash sorrel and boil in a pot with cinnamon. Once sepals are soft, remove from heat and add sugar. Place mixture in blender and blend until smooth. Return mixture to heat and allow to thicken. Once set, allow to cool, pour in jar and seal
SUGAR CAKES
Its simpler than you might think!
- ½ lb. grated coconut
- ¼ pt. water
- ¾ lb. sugar

TAMARIND BALL
- 2 cups tamarind pulp
- 1 tbsp salt
- ¼ tsp hot pepper
- 2¼ cups sugar
Remove tamarind from shell. Remove seeds and boil tamarind in salt water until soft. Allow to cool and drain water. Add pepper and 2 cups sugar, and combine until mixture is firm enough to form balls. Place the remaining sugar in a shallow plate. Shape tamarind balls and roll in the remaining sugar. Serve as is or wrap in wax paper until ready to eat.