My Crockpot

My old crockpot was the smartest thing I brought with me, when first moving to Trinidad and having no idea what my living arrangements would be. (A friend was setting things up for me and money was low.) No matter what, something can be made in it with very cheap ingredients.

Now, while I still have my old one (over 30 years old!) that works fine, I also have a new, bigger one for cooking much larger batches. Beans and soups are especially good...cook all day or all night and enjoy the smells while having your meal ready without much fuss.

I'm still surprised that some people never heard of the crockpot - or "slow cooker" - as it's known in some circles. Many of my friends were surprised about it, when I told them how cool it is. Hmmm...maybe it's about different eras. The crockpot was a big deal in the '70s, but I guess it lost favor with more and more fast-food, frozen food options for busy people.

I never really tried some of the more elaborate things, like making a cake in the crockpot. No need. But it does bake and "hold" potatoes well. And I made apple butter that is scrumptious. It made the whole house smell wonderful for hours.

My favorite cooking recipe site, allrecipes.com , has a whole section for slow cookers. (That is, crockpots. Not people who are slow in the kitchen ;-) Check it out if you want a home smelling like Thanksgiving in the middle of the week!

Trini Christmas

Even during this economic slowdown, Trindad and Tobago loves Christmas. Lights were going up in November, and Parang music played on the radio. One station starts with "100 days till Christmas"...which, think about it, is over 3 months ahead!!

Food, family, and music are the cornerstones of a Trini Christmas. True Trini women know how to cook....boooiiiy!! Pastelles (like tamales, wrapped in banana leaves), black cake (dark fruitcake soaked in rum), ponche de creme (like eggnog with a big KICK), sorrel (not like anything else...a wonderful red drink), ham, baked goods made the "old way", ...the smells are amazing.