Bajan music by The Merrymen
Well, that would just be me… to tempt you so with a
delicious green seasoning but forget to give you the recipe… Did no one notice?
Or just not care or even want the
recipe? I’ll give it to you any way and you’ll find yourself using it again and
again in a variety of ways It’s such a versatile mixture, just great with fish
as it with chicken and beef…If you’re looking for ideas, let me know and I’ll
pass some along. As I’ve said it is used in many ways by the Bajans.
You know, just relating this information to you puts me right
back there, When the sun shines here, my imagination takes me there, walking
down the road from our apartment, greeting neighbors along the way, sometimes
dodging a skate boarder and making room for the vehicles. As if I’m taking up the entire road! Most Bajans drive very fast, preferring their
half in the middle! Aside from the
obvious sun, beaches, food and booze, Barbados
As I’ve mentioned before, We rent an apartment in a thriving
residential, entertainment-dense area of the southern part of the island,
commonly referred to as the south coast, but, we eat many of our meals
in-house, frequently enjoying home-cooked food with friends when going to their homes.
We do, by
times go to one of the many restaurants, rum shops (small bars, serving the
obvious – rum, both by the bottle and as a mixed drink, and often food, as
well) and pubs, concentrated in and around the south coast. And, all have one,
sometimes two happy hours each day… wouldn’t want to miss that!
Bajan Green Seasoning
As is the case with so many chefs, Chef Dale
doesn’t give any amounts, so, my advice is to start with two large onions,
finely chopped, or throw them in the food processor and use a handful of chives
or the green tops of one bunch of green onions, hot peppers, two reasonably hot,
hot peppers, if you want to be authentic, use habaneros What are also known as
Scotch Bonnet Peppers, a couple of grinds of freshly ground black pepper, a
little salt, and a clove or two of fresh garlic , a little lemon juice. For
consistency. And a shake or two of white pepper, if you don’t have it, don’t
worry, it’ll be fine with the other pepper flavors!
At most
food establishments, my first menu choice is always Macaroni Pie, A Bajan riff
on our Mac and Cheese, A fine example of the popular home-style dish considered
a staple in most homes on the island comes from our waitress at The Blue Horizon
hotel It is her family recipe, passed down through the generations until it
reached my hands. I keep her hand-written copy taped to the inside front cover
of my favourite “go to” Bajan cookbook It
is my #1 fave dish in Barbados, especially when paired with a flying fish “cutter”,
Bajan terminology for sandwich. I make a couple of changes, depending on the
season I’m making it in.
Cook enough
macaroni for those you’re serving Just judge the amount like you always have to do, pretend you’ve been doing it for
decades like I do, in boiling, salted water. One major component making
Macaroni Pie different from its northern cousin is the use of imported Australian
Cheddar, which is especially delicious Drain the cooked macaroni. And, in a
separate bowl, mix a couple of lightly-beaten eggs,( again, the rest of the amounts
of the remaining ingredients will have
to be guestimated, depending on the amount of cooked macaroni you have,). A
little splash of milk ingredients will vary depending on the amount of cooked
macaroni you have)a generous handful of finely diced sweet green peppers, a
couple of good handfuls of cheese, cheddar would be fine, as would a
combination of other cheeses, Fontina, cheddar and Provolone, I sometimes use a bit of Parmesan,
Asiago or Romano, if I happen to have some. Add a little salt and pepper, a
couple of big squirts or glugs of
ketchup and about 1 tsp of your recently-made green seasoning (Please take note
: I’m using some precise cooking terminology here, So, read carefully!!!) add a
handful of finely chopped onion.. Combine this mixture with the drained, cooled
macaroni. Pour into casserole dish, top with extra grated cheese and bake at
350F till golden and bubbly. ENJOY!!
Stay healthy and safe!
Sandra
