Caribbean Flavour - Beach Wedding Article
Article By Samuel Muir
If you are planning a wedding in the Caribbean it might be worth checking out the delicious local dishes to incorporate into your reception menu. The countless invasions on the shores of the islands have left their legacies in the cuisines they have left behind: French, Indian and Dutch are just a few examples found here.
Following are some suggestions.
Conch Salad
Conch salad is a typical dish of The Bahamas and is a shell fish mixture with tomato’s, celery, onion and pepper juiced with sour orange and lime. Its zingy zesty flavour could be a “wake up” appetizer for your wedding reception guests.
Jerk Chicken, Pork or Fish
“Jerk” is the traditional Jamaican marinade full of zesty and hot spices typical of Caribbean cooking. Smothered over meat or fish and then barbecued, this dish is served with Peas and Rice, Plantain or corn. No-one seems to know where the word “Jerk” comes from... the way your body jerks as you eat its spiciness, the way the meat is turned on the grill or perhaps a legacy from the original Arawak Inhabitants of the Caribbean...who cares...its fabulous and a must try for your wedding menu!
Jerk ingredients include a spicy mixture of garlic, sugar, lime juice, ginger, pimento, onions and scotch bonnet pepper.
Peas and Rice
Peas and Rice is a common dish throughout the Caribbean as a starch compliment to any dish. It is made with white rice, pigeon peas, coconut milk, pork fat, herbs and spices.
Fish
A Caribbean staple, fish is caught daily and served fresh at most locales of the Caribbean. Some of the local favourite dishes are “Smothered Grouper” where a tomato and onion medley is piled on top of steamed grouper, or Grilled Mahi Mahi or Escovitch, Jerk Snapper or Jacks...all, of course, served with the typical red goats pepper and lime!
Roti
“Roti” is a typical dish of Trinidad and Tobago because of its East Indian roots and flavour. It is a flat bread (tortilla-like) that surrounds a thick curry paste of potato and beans with chicken, beef shrimp or goat. Many hotels and restaurants offer roti in bite sized portions to offer guests as an appetizer at wedding receptions.
Curried Goat
Jamaican weddings just wouldn’t be the same without a generous helping of Curried Goat served over white rice. Goat is available in local markets and is cooked up with a mixture of coconut milk, bird pepper, thyme, all spice, tumeric, garlic, onion, sweet pepper, and potato! It’s a delicious addition to any wedding feast and totally Caribbean in flavour.
Keshi yena
Keshi Yena (meaning – stuffed cheese) is a Dutch dish traditionally served in Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. Hollowed-out Edam cheese is filled with olive- and caper-spiced beef and served up with the liqueur also made in the islands “Curacao”.
Desserts
Plantain Tart; Sweet Potato Pudding; Pineapple Tart; Rum Cake; Pina Colada; Guava Duff; Bolo Pretu (fruit cake)
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