Sweet Island, Simple Cooking
Have you decided what to make for dinner yet? No? Well, neither have I. I am standing there, looking into my fridge and wondering what on earth will satisfy my family’s tastebuds tonight?
I made mashed potatoes the other night, and I have quite a lot left. That could be made into savory pancakes, but then what……
Lettuce, they have to have some greens. No, I don’t have any lettuce left. Can’t forget to get some tomorrow…..
Well, I have frozen peas and the mint in the planter is fresh and nice. I have onions to sauté with the peas.
Protein? I have to look in my freezer!
Chicken breasts, sausages and shrimp. That is about it. If I fry the chicken for a short time and then let it cook in the pan with some broth, it will be juicy and tender. Take them out when they are ready, put some butter and flour and spices in the broth and make a gravy. OK, that’s what I’ll do.
Doesn’t sound too difficult, does it? That is the point. Nice and easy. Not too much time. Not too expensive. No ingredients you can’t find in your local grocery store.
The whole point of cooking, making dinner, planning menus and possibly even setting the table is the pleasure of it. Scroll through the images above. Have fun, explore the possibilities and join me in the kitchen.
Jacqueline Campaigne
When we moved to Cat Island, 16 years ago, I knew we had found our paradise. But even paradise has its glitches. For a foodie like me, the lack of fresh veggies and meat, the scarcity of fish and the really bad assortment of wines was a bit of a challenge. I had to learn to cook in a whole new way. How to make an interesting salad out of carrots and iceberg lettuce, for example. Not so easy. If any of my ideas can make a dent in the traditional way the cooks of Cat Island think and serve dinner, I think it would be a step in the right direction. I might not be able to convert anybody, but I can inspire at least some of them. If you are reading my blog from afar, perhaps you will visit my cat island kitchen. I would enjoy cooking for you!
