Caribbean Cuisine: Not Good Enough?
Discussion
Chinese, Indian, Thai are the obvious ones. Then you have Italian, Turkish, Greek etc etc... They're all doing well and are generally quite liked.
But what is it about Caribbean cuisine? Not very popular is it?
I've had the Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Ackee and Salt Fish, Talapia, Snapper, Callaloo, Guinness Punch, Peanut Punch, Curry Goat and the Soups/Stews with those lovely dumplings. It's great food (especially post drinking/raving/sessioning) but IME, heavy salt content, the meat (esp chicken) has been cremated and there's generally a very unhealthy feel about most of the dishes. Other than that, I quite like it.
But I'm yet to have an amazing culinary experience; went to Cottons in Camden (twice) and the two differences that stood out were how the dishes were served and the price.
But what is it about Caribbean cuisine? Not very popular is it?
I've had the Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork, Ackee and Salt Fish, Talapia, Snapper, Callaloo, Guinness Punch, Peanut Punch, Curry Goat and the Soups/Stews with those lovely dumplings. It's great food (especially post drinking/raving/sessioning) but IME, heavy salt content, the meat (esp chicken) has been cremated and there's generally a very unhealthy feel about most of the dishes. Other than that, I quite like it.
But I'm yet to have an amazing culinary experience; went to Cottons in Camden (twice) and the two differences that stood out were how the dishes were served and the price.
Levi roots seems to be doing ok out of it! (apart fron the court cases!)
I've been there a few times now, and the food can be great, full of flavour and spices. But don't forget slot of the places are pretty poor, and they use cuts that we wouldn't dream about, which can take a bit of getting used to!
Never even seen a Carribean restaurant in Scotland, but I'd try it if there was one,
I've been there a few times now, and the food can be great, full of flavour and spices. But don't forget slot of the places are pretty poor, and they use cuts that we wouldn't dream about, which can take a bit of getting used to!
Never even seen a Carribean restaurant in Scotland, but I'd try it if there was one,
I think it's slowly growing popularity, or a twist on it... you just have to look on tv... yep Levi Roots, but then you've got that Aaron bloke is mixing influences, Gary Rhodes has done a series recently shown on the Good Food Channel...... a few places have also recently sprung up around Soho,... so slowly it is gaining popularity.
The best foods in the Islands are, as usual, to be found in the markets or the roadside.
Seamoss or Tamarind to drink. Homemade still gingerbeer in old rum bottles. Pepperpot and Fungi, Saltfish, Dasheen, Bullfoot or Whelkswater. Soursopp Icecream for pud. All good eating.
As you go further down island, the Indian influence is there with Roti and curries, then the South American foods come north. Empanadas and Arepas are what I make at home.
Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine is also outstanding.
All part of the Caribbean, not just Jamacian jerk stuff.
Seamoss or Tamarind to drink. Homemade still gingerbeer in old rum bottles. Pepperpot and Fungi, Saltfish, Dasheen, Bullfoot or Whelkswater. Soursopp Icecream for pud. All good eating.
As you go further down island, the Indian influence is there with Roti and curries, then the South American foods come north. Empanadas and Arepas are what I make at home.
Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisine is also outstanding.
All part of the Caribbean, not just Jamacian jerk stuff.
Edited by Fishtigua on Sunday 4th December 11:42
LooneyTunes said:
I'm not sure it's that it isn't good enough, but sometimes wonder if the lack of popularity is due at least in part to the fact that the weather isn't right over here? I.e. the sense of place is lacking...
Last time i stuck my head out of the window it was nothing like India either LooneyTunes said:
That's fair comment, but when it's blowing a gale outside a decent curry goes down a treat. Not so sure that the same applies with Caribbean food.
A lot of Caribbean food is not that different to Indian food really and some of the dishes are spiced up versions of stews etc we would traditionally eat in the UKI think the main reason it hasn't gone mainstream is the cost of ingredients. Stuff like green banana and yams are not widely available enough for them to be as cheap as Indian and Chinese ingredients.
Hmm not Caribbean, but I've eaten various Kenyan dishes due to family links over there and am generally pretty disappointed.
Only things I really like are cassava done pretty much anyway and something called Irio. I find a lot of the food bland and don't like the idea of sweet edges to savoury dishes which is pretty common over there.
Only things I really like are cassava done pretty much anyway and something called Irio. I find a lot of the food bland and don't like the idea of sweet edges to savoury dishes which is pretty common over there.
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