Trinidad Pepper Quiche

A Caribbean take on a classic. Super quick with less fat and calories than a traditional Quiche Lorraine. The flour mimics the ‘body’ of the traditional Quiche. The mild, flavourful, Trinidad Capsicum chinense peppers breathe new life into an old favourite. These peppers are a uniquely flavoured habenero with an almost undetectable heat. Locally they go by the name pimento or seasoning peppers. To Trinidadians they are as invaluable as salt. We put them in practically everything we cook. We use them to ‘season’ meats, and a host of other dishes. Serve with a salad and for those indulgent moments a glass of white wine for dinner, or have a slice for breakfast. I usually make two pies and freeze one for later on in the month.You can use any kind of mild pepper that appeals to your taste and is available to you locally for this recipe. I have also made this using red and green sweet peppers and it’s just as delicious. Roasted red peppers would be great too.

Macaroni Pie from Trinidad

From The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean, Naparima Girls’ High School Cookbook which I borrowed. The recipe doesn’t say what kind of cheese so you choose your favorite. For a variation, you can add grated onions or carrots, chopped herbs and tomato.

Sorrel Drink (Trinidad)

Not to be confused with the vegetable of the same name from temperate countries, sorrel is a favourite West Indian drink for Christmas and New Year. Actually it’s more of a spiced, iced tea, as the juice is drawn from the red sepals of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa) which is commonly called sorrel in the Caribbean. This drink is a favourite with children to whom the task of ‘picking’ sorrel (removing the red sepals from the prickly seed) is often given. The drink is usually prepared in two batches with one batch being spiked with rum for the adults. The drink needs a lot of sugar to temper the tartness of the fruit but to my mind it should not be made thick and sweet, for then it becomes sickly and cloying although some like it this way, so feel free to vary the ingredient amounts to suit your taste. Usually served chilled with ice but I had a German friend tell me that this drink reminded her of mulled wine so I imagine it could also be served warm.

Curried Mango – Trinidad

Green mangoes are used in this recipe and they take on the role of a vegetable side dish that complements meat or vegetarian meals.

Your Kitchen Concierge chef avatar

Your Kitchen Concierge

Recipe finder and budget meal ideas
Hi, I am Your Kitchen Concierge. I am here to help with all things food. I can find recipes, explain cooking methods and ingredients, and help you plan meals on a budget. Try asking me a question.