Coconut Bake

Baking Powder Biscuits Served Shortcake-style (Photo credit: texascooking)

By Juvy S. Iliwiliw

In Trinidad, this rustic coconut loaf with a biscuit-like texture is traditionally eaten with bul jol, which is also known as pick-up saltfish. The bread is quick and easy to make, and is great for breakfast with tropical jams such as guava, passion fruit and mango.

Pick-Up Saltfish

By Juvy S. Iliwiliw

Saltfish is a staple throughout the Caribbean, providing a rich, salty flavor for simple dishes like fritters, steamed callaloo, and rice. This dish is called "pick-up saltfish" because the salt cod is pulled apart and shredded. It is made into a salad that's eaten for breakfast or brunch with coconut bake or crackers. It's a good party snack, too.

There is a need for the salt cod in this recipe to soak overnight, so start this recipe a day ahead. Salt cod is available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Quick Ginger Beer

English: Dark 'n Stormy Cocktail made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum and Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Juvy S. Iliwiliw

This is the easy way to make ginger beer, where the ginger is simply soaked-just slightly fermented-for 24 hours (another method requires up to a five-day fermentation). Ginger  beer is one of Jamaica's most popular softdrinks and is sold practically everywhere, from the supermarket to roadside stands.

This drink is wonderfully refreshing if the ginger heat is too much, tame it with more crushed ice and some club soda.

Puerto Rican Crab

Plantain "arañitas" & "tostones rellenos" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Juvy S. Iliwiliw

Often found at shacks on the beach in Puerto Rico, this full-flavored crab dish is served in the shell, or with rice and green bananas or plantains. A defining element of the dish is sofrito, a traditional Spanish sauce of tomatoes, onions, garlic, bell peppers, cilantro, and hot pepper.