Simple Vanilla Cake

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, yet scrumptious cake, then you would love this vanilla cake recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of French Vanilla cake mix (Pillsbury)
• 1 cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup cooking oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and lightly flour baking pan (8½ x 11 x 2).
3. Sift dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, add milk, water and oil.
5. Gradually mix in dry ingredients and beat until smooth.
6. Pour batter in pan and bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool before frosting.

Frosting:

• 1 stick butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Sift confectioner’s sugar in a mixing bowl.
2. Add butter and vanilla and blend with electric mixer.
3. If it is too stiff add a bit of milk. Add more sugar if it is not stiff enough.

Chicken Wings with Cranberry-Molasses Glaze

I know what you’re thinking – cranberry sauce with molasses?! Don’t knock it before you try it, lol. After all, molasses is used for basting meat anyhow, so I thought, why not? Furthermore, I was out of barbecue sauce and wanted something to glaze my wings with. I mixed a concoction of cranberry sauce, molasses and brown sugar; go easy on the molasses, because the stuff could be overpowering. Depending on the amount of wings you’re preparing, here’s what you will need:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs wings (sectioned)
• 2 tbsp cranberry sauce
• 1 tsp unsulfured molasses
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

1. Season wings with salt, black pepper and onion powder.
2. Bake for about 45 minutes.
3. Baste wings, then throw off excess fat.
4. Blend the ingredients for glaze in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds.
5. Brush glaze on wings and allow to bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes.

Hope you enjoy!!

Oversized Banana Muffins

Muffins are definitely a way to go when I'm in no mood for baking cookies, pies or cakes. These over-sized banana muffins are a result of my unwillingness to freeze or dispose of the extra muffin batter. Normally, I should have used only 2 cups of flour, but instead I decided to add a bit more (about ¼ cup).

Ingredients:

• 2¼ cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup evaporated milk

Directions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.     Cream butter in a mixing bowl

3.     Add eggs and milk

4.     Sift dry ingredients and add to butter and eggs mixture.

5.     Blend in mashed bananas.

6.     Fill greased muffin tin (to the very top) and bake for about 20 – 25 minutes.

(Makes 12 muffins)

Quickie Apple Danish

This apple danish is by far the simplest dessert I’ve ever made. It is a quick fix for a sweet tooth and best of all it requires only 3 – 4 ingredients that's probably sitting in your cupboard or pantry. The end result – deliciousness!!

Ingredients:

• 2 sheets thawed puff pastry
• 1 can apple pie filling (Comstock preferably)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 beaten egg (for egg wash)

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pour pie filling into a bowl, add cinnamon and stir.
3. Unfold one puff pastry sheet and roll on a lightly floured counter (be sure to put a bit of flour on the rolling pin and the pastry). Roll pastry to desired size and cut each one into four squares.
4. Repeat with the other pastry sheet.
5. Place a tablespoon of pie filling in the center of each square.
6. Brush the edges of the squares with the egg wash and fold two corners diagonally. Place danish on baking sheet and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
7. Before baking, brush the top of each danish with eggwash. Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for about half an hour or until puffed and golden brown.

Crawfish Salad

Crawfish in any form is considered a delicacy here in the Bahamas. 

Here is how I made a very large serving of crawfish salad. You may reduce or increase ingredients as desired.

Ingredients:

Bahamian Crawfish

• 10 – 12 medium cooked crawfish tails (shelled and deveined)
• 1 large sweet pepper (diced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 2 medium tomatoes (diced)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 large limes/lemons
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder

Directions:

1. Dice crawfish into medium chunks and place in large mixing bowl
2. Add lime/lemon juice.
3. Add remaining ingredients and toss well, don’t over mix.
4. Allow to chill in refrigerator before serving.
5. Enjoy!!!

(This salad could be served with rolls or crackers).

Spaghetti and Ham Alfredo for Kids

Here’s a quick, but wholesome meal your kids are sure to love…well, at least mine did. This entire process took me about half an hour; well, it would have, had I been able to pull away from that chick flick that over-powered me, lol!!

Instructions:

• 16 oz box spaghetti
• 15 oz alfredo sauce
• 1½ cups cubed cooked ham
• 2 cups frozen broccoli florets
• 2 tsp onion powder
• Salt (to taste)
• Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)

Directions: 

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions (ensure that water is adequately salted before adding spaghetti).
2. After draining spaghetti, place in a large/medium pot and add remaining ingredients. Combine well.
3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Serves about 6 - 8

Soft Pillowy Dinner Rolls

First Batch

Ingredients:

• 4 cup flour
• 1 packet dry yeast
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar

Directions:

1. Place flour in a bowl along with salt and set aside.
2. In a large bowl dissolve yeast to warm milk.
3. Add sugar, eggs, butter and mix well.
4. Add flour gradually, mix until a soft, sticky dough forms.
5. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and allow to rise until it has doubled in size.
6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic.
7. Allow the dough to rest ten minutes.
8. Divide dough into twelve equal parts.
9. Roll each part in the palm of your hands until round.
10. Place the rolls in a greased pan (allow them to touch)
11. Cover and place in a warm place for another ten minutes.
12. Brush with egg wash and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Second Batch

Cinnamon Muffins

In less than an hour you will be enjoying these hot, delicious muffins!! Don’t you just love easy?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup evaporated milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter in a mixing bowl
3. Add eggs and milk
4. Sift dry ingredients and add to butter and eggs mixture.
5. Spoon equal parts in a greased muffin tin and bake for about 20 – 25 minutes.

Makes about 12 muffins

Old-Fashioned Pancakes

These are pancakes just the way my mama use to make ‘em – with no baking powder whatsoever. That’s what I call old-fashioned pancakes. Did I mention that no pancake syrup is allowed?

My kids can’t seem to get enough of these tasty treats. I made them for breakfast one rainy morning and couldn’t help but get that warm, fuzzy feeling.

Measurements don’t have to be exact here, for a small batch you will need:

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ½ cup water

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Add wet ingredients one at a time and mix well.
3. Heat a frying pan on medium heat with about ½ cup vegetable oil.
4. Scoop a large tablespoon full of pancake batter and drop in frying pan.
5. Cook until each side is golden brown
6. Drain on paper towels.
7. Enjoy with eggs and sausages, yum!!

In the frying pan :)

Broccoli Frittata

I was just dying to try my hand at one of these: introducing my broccoli frittata with a bit of ham and lots of cheese, of course. This was super easy! So easy; in fact, your kids could make this. As for the taste - not bad, not bad at all.

Here’s how I made my frittata:

Ingredients:

• 6 medium eggs
• 1 cup cooked broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup cooked diced ham
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• ½ cup cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup evaporated milk
• ½ green pepper (diced)
• ½ onion (diced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add about 2 tbsp of olive oil to a skillet and sauté green pepper and onion over medium-low heat.
2. In the meantime, break eggs in a medium bowl, add salt & pepper. Beat lightly (do not over beat).
3. Add cream, parmesan and cheddar cheese and mix.
4. Add in the sautéed vegetables along with broccoli and ham. Combine well.
5. Pour mixture in a lightly greased standard pie pan.
6. Bake until the entire frittata is firm/set. (Normally, once the middle is done, then you’re good to go).

Remember, when you’re dealing with eggs, you want to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly before consuming. Enjoy y’all☺

Steamed Tuna

Here’s a real quickie meal if you’re in a hurry or if you're not in the mood for splurging on lunch/dinner.

Ingredients:

• Three 6 oz cans of tuna in water (I used Sea Best)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 1 small green pepper (diced)
• One 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Cayenne Pepper

Directions:

1. Sauté onion and green pepper on medium heat in a skillet with the cooking oil already added.
2. Mix in tuna (do not drain) and tomato sauce. At this point you may break the tuna up further if desired.
3. Add seasonings to desired taste and combine thoroughly.
4. Simmer on low heat for 2 – 3 minutes.
5. Serve over white rice and enjoy!!!

Cheesy Muffins

Here’s a recipe I came up with for cheese muffins on a night when I was totally bored. I admit, I got a bit carried away, but they came out super moist, plus my hubby said he really enjoyed them, hope you do too.  So if you’re feeling particularly brave today, have a go at it, but of course you don’t have to use all of the ingredients listed below. Have fun!!!

Ingredients:

• 1½ - 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• 10 oz can cream of chicken soup (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Sift dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Add cheese followed by remaining wet ingredients and mix well.
• Spoon equal parts in a greased muffin pan and bake for about 20 – 25 minutes.
• Makes 12 muffins, enjoy!!

Corned Beef Salad Sandwiches

If you put in too much mayo, you wind up with a dip (like I did, lol!!)

This is corned beef salad done the Bahamian way. These sandwiches are often served at parties, picnics and other social functions. They always seem to play second fiddle to tuna salad sandwiches, but in my book they will always be numero ono. I could never get enough of these.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin corned beef
• 1 small onion diced
• ½ sweet pepper diced
• Juice from one lemon/lime
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Serve on bread of your choice (white/whole wheat/rye/whatever).

Bahamian Stew Fish

Stew made with fried fish

Sometimes I skip frying the fish to avoid the excess oil or if I'm pressed for time.  

Ingredients:

• 2 – 3 lbs fish, cleaned and seasoned (we normally use grouper or snapper)
• 1/3 cup cooking oil
• ¾ cup flour
• 1 small onion, chopped
• thyme
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Partially fry fish until brown on both sides.
2. Heat oil in heavy frying pan/skillet, add flour and stir continually until brown. Take care that it does not burn.
3. Add onion, thyme & tomato paste (optional) and mix well.
4. Place in a pot of boiling water (about 6 cups).  Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes or until fish is properly cooked.
5. Serve with grits/ johnny cake / homemade bread.

Tip: When needed, I use a roux of 2 tbsp of flour and water to thicken the stew.  Be sure to use a strainer.

Stew made with non-fried fish

Steamed Corned Beef (Fire Engine)

When you hear the words “fire engine” here in the Bahamas chances are we’re referring to (steamed) corned beef and not the literal fire truck, lol. You see, we have a slang term for just about everything and corned beef is no exception.

This is the corned beef that comes in a tin and not the kind that is sliced and used to make those gourmet-looking sandwiches (you know the kind that really looks like beef).

From time and memorial, this dish has been a part of the Bahamian culture and is one of the easiest dishes to prepare (even for those of us who can’t boil water). Steamed corned beef is usually served with white rice for lunch/dinner or with grits for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin corned beef (see photo to right)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ½ green bell pepper chopped
• 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• thyme (fresh or dried)
• black pepper

Directions:

1. Sauté onions and sweet pepper with oil in a frying pan. 
2. Add corned beef (make sure the corned beef is broken up)
3. Stir in tomato paste, and add thyme & a few dashes of black pepper. Ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
4. Serve with white rice or grits.

**Some of us also add diced (cooked) potatoes.

Ice Cream In A Blender

Coconut Ice Cream

Just when I was contemplating the purchase of a costly  ice cream maker, I came across a recipe for making ice cream in a blender. Of course my initial thoughts were “yeah, right,” but hey, anything that’s gonna save me money, I’m down with it, lol!!  

The process was so quick and easy I thought that I would wind up with a flavorless milkshake at best. Boy, was I wrong!! Dead wrong!!  In fact, I was so impressed with the outcome that I’m placing the purchase of an ice cream maker on hold.

The good thing about home-made ice cream is you know exactly what’s in it. There’s no need for all that artificial junk and it requires very few ingredients, but the flavor is nothing short of dynamic.

You could make any flavor you like,  just remember to have fun☺

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 12 oz frozen whipped cream
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• Sweetened Condensed Milk (to taste)

Procedure:

1. Place an ice cream bowl and lid in the freezer about an hour prior to making the ice cream.
2. Place first 3 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Gradually add condensed milk until desired sweetness is achieved.
3. Pour into ice cream bowl, cover and freeze for several hours (until ice cream is firm).

There you have it!!

Cheese Danish

Here’s a recipe for cheese danish that you simply must try. I promise you won’t be disappointed and may probably never purchase one from the store again. Trust me, they are far superior in taste!!!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz room temp cream cheese
• 4 tbsp  vanilla yogurt
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 sheets thawed puff pastry
• 1 beaten egg for egg wash

  

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl and mix until creamy.
3. Unfold puff pastry and roll on a lightly floured counter (be sure to put a bit of flour on the rolling pin and the pastry). Roll pastry to desired size and cut each one into four squares.
4. Place a tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each square.
5. Brush the edges of the squares with the egg wash and fold two corners diagonally. Place danish on baking sheet and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
6. Before baking, brush the top of each danish with eggwash. Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for about half an hour or until puffed and golden brown.
7. Allow filling to cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

Tropical Fruit Salad

Since it has been feeling pretty much like summer almost year-round (at least where I’m from), I’ve been prompted to make this tropical fruit salad. Healthy, delicious and refreshing, what more could you ask for?

There’s no need to be specific with the ingredients, unless of course, you’re on a restricted diet. Use whatever fruit you like, you can’t go wrong here.  You may use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness/tartness of your fruit.

My ingredients consisted of: 

• Watermelon (cubed)
• Cantaloupe (cubed)
• Mango (cubed)
• Red grapes (halved)
• White grapes (halved)
• Juice from two oranges
• 2 tbsp sugar

I combined all of the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl. For the vanity shot, I carved out half of a small watermelon and cantaloupe and filled them with my fruit mixture. Where’s the easy button, lol!!