Saturday, September 25, 2010

Doubles (Trinidad)

Bara:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon gheera (cumin)
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 teaspoon yeast
1/3 cup warm water
1/4 tsp sugar
Oil for frying

Filling (Curried Channa):
1 14 oz channa, tinned
1 tablespoon curry powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tsp ground geera (cumin)
1 tsp Pepper sauce
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

1. In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, curry powder and gheera.
2. In a separate small bowl place the warm water, sugar and yeast and set to sponge for 5 minutes.
3. To the flour, add the yeast mixture and enough water to make a slightly firm dough.
4. Mix well, cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.
5. For the filling, heat the oil in a heavy skillet, add onion, garlic and 1 heaped tablespoon of curry powder mixed with 1/4 cup water.
6. Sauté for a few minutes.
7. Add the channa, stir to coat well and cook for five minutes.
8. Add 1 cup water, gheera, salt and pepper; cover, lower heat and simmer until the peas are very soft (20-30 minutes).
9. When the channa is finished it should be moist and soft.
10. Add pepper sauce and season to taste with additional salt if desired.
11. For the bara: The dough should be punched down and allowed to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
12. To shape the bara, take 1 tablespoon of the dough and flatten to a round, 4 or 5 inches in diameter
13. Use oil to moisten palms of your hands so that the dough won’t stick to them
14. Fry the baras in hot oil until puffy (about 15 seconds per side), turn once and drain on kitchen paper
15. When all are cooked, fill with channa by placing a heaping tablespoon of the cooked filling on each bara, covering with another to form a sandwich

                                                                                                      Recipe Courtesy: Trinigourmet.com

My Video Post on youtube if you cannot view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oivbz-Vt0rA

Friday, September 24, 2010

Video Blog

Gallo Pinto Recipe

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 lrg onions – thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked red beans
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup cooked white rice

Beans: cook 1 cup of dry red beans with 6 crushed cloves of garlic and water in a pressure cooker for 15 to 20 minutes. Sauté the onion in a pot. Add in the cooked beans and water. Cook for 5 minutes at a low heat whilst stirring. The beans must remain whole. Now add the cooked rice and simmer for a further 10 minutes, still stirring.
                                                                Recipe Courtesy: nicaragua.com/recipe

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Red Light Restaurant

I am stearing off course a little bit to this restaurant on Biscayne Blvd on the river bank over looking the river. Its a nice out door style dinning spot because its not very big on the inside.

The menu is not big but mostly consist of seafood items. Everything is prepared fresh everyday makes the food really good for me. Well I had the Oyster Quiche and Ceviche and it was really good. There have been some changes in the menu recently but over all not a bad location to go chill out with friends and have some Seafood.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Don Burrito Mexican Restaurant

Took me a while to visit this restaurant but finally did, very spacious and the staff was nice. Had dinner before I went so i ordered only the a chicken soup well I can safely say mexican style. I did not like it that much.

The Salsa and chips were great really enjoyed that and some of my friends burrito with guacamole. It made up for the visit. Had better Mexican food when I was Homestead cannot remember the name will update you when I can locate the information.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

La Hormiga De Oro (Nicaraguan Restaurant)

This place holds a special place to me because it was the very first restaurant I went to when I first came to United States and ate because it was different to what I know from Trinidad and Tobago. Its not a fine dining like its counterpath in Main St, Miami Lakes EL Novillo. But I love the food in this restaurant think EL Novillo could back seat for while.

My favorite is Ginto Pinto (rice and red beans) I will always order it with Churrasco Nica style its really delicious. I have had as well the pig's feet cooked like a stew and that was good as well almost reminded me of Trinidad. I saw some similarities in the cooking of some meats and rice.

Sometimes there is a bit of language barrier when communicating the choices but the food is really good for its price. You will get a good meal for under 10 dollars with a drink. One of my best experiences and still love this restaurant to this day.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Mr Lee's Chinese Restaurant (take away)

I know Chinese restaurant could be a some what a fast food restaurant. But its fresher and there is alot of variety. I was brought up eating chinese food in my family and find it difficult to eat this food outside my home. I have been disappointed many times in many places I have been.

Miami does not really have much options for chinese food but when I found Mr. Lee's on Miami Gardens Drive Country Club Plaza near to Sedeno's Supermarket. Its not to a sit down restaurant but the food is great I love there General Tsoi chicken, fried rice and wonton soup. 

Just note if you planning to spend less than 10.00 ensure you pay cash they only accept cards for 10 and up. Its very typical  to find chinese restaurants like that.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Captain Crab

This is more of a Take away restaurant even though you can dine outside or some seating on the inside. Its a bit pricey average you may spend 10 dollars. But you spending on Crab and Shrimp so the prices may vary by size. It is located near 47th ave on 183rd St, Miami Gardens Drive.

It took a while for me to get any service from anyone in this restaurant. I waited for a good 10mins and it was empty which was kind of scary for me wasn't sure if the food will be good or not. The drive through seemed to be faster but I came by foot to this place.

I ordered the Garlic Shrimp special and it was good I have to say for the long wait. There customer service needs to improve and did not like that the Chef was outside chatting while my food is cooking.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Michael THAI restaurant.

Well this restaurant no longer exist in Palm Plaza 67th ave, miami lakes. Just want to mention how it was my first Thai restaurant I ever been too and it was a good experience. Not sure if they relocated or went of business. Everything was made fresh and the food was great. It made crave for more Thai food after.

There is another in Main Street, Miami Lakes called Thai Cafe not that far from where this one was located. Have to visit sometime and see what there food taste like and compare the flavors.

Never really thought Peanut sauce would of taste so good in food. Thank you Michael for great food.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Chivas Columbian Restaurant.

This is a popular little restaurant in the area love there food and its like a mini bakery as well. Serving are great for the price Under $15.00. Its located in Palm Plaza on 67th ave Miami Lakes area even though its considered Hialeah. I had the lunch special Chuleta Valluna Breaded pork steak with two sides mine was Cassava and fried plaintains (personal favorite anywhere I go) and i got a Chicharron Con Arepa. Everything was really.

Highly recommend this place but at times it could be really packed with people dinning.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Vietnamese restaurant

The Green Papaya restaurant is not so hard to find on 67th ave just of the palmetto expressway in Palms Plaza. I felt very unconfortable going in at first because I could not see inside. It looked like a fortune teller fortress but when I entered it was packed with people dining  was very surprised.

Food prices wasn't that bad range from $5-20. Didn't have much to spend so I had the Spicy thai seafood soup. Thought it would be good for me because I was getting over the cold so need something to bring out some of the heat and it worked.

Just note this place is very small not much seating at the restaurant and everything is basically freshly made and really good. I am due for a visit soon.