Where do I begin? Baigan choka is a favorite in our home especially in the summer months. Simple as that. While I have yet to try roasting in on our gas stove, we’ve always done it on the BBQ burner outside and it always comes out to perfection. It is very simple and only need a few ingredients. Honestly, even the ingredients are optional. You can always substitute what you don’t have with what you do. You will notice I only had a small amount of green onion so I chopped some regular onion to add to the flavour. Also, this is how our family makes Baigan Choka, it might be different from yours or what you are used to. I find this way to be very simple and delicious.
Here is how to make Baigan Choka -Roasted Eggplants (Guyanese style)
After washing your Eggplants and tomatoes, start by making a few slits on the Eggplant. Stuff the garlic into the slits of the Eggplants.
Wheather you are using a gas stove or a outdoor grill, roast the Eggplants for about 20 ish minutes until they are charred. We wrapped ours in a foil to avoid the juices from dripping. Be sure to flip the Eggplants to make sure all the sides are roasted completely.
Roast your tomato as well until charred.
Once the Eggplants are fully roasted, remove the charred skin and scoop the inside contents with the garlic with a fork and add to a serving dish.
Chopped your onions, green onions and peppers as fine as possible.
Add your oil, remove the charred skin from the tomato and all of the other ingredients to your Eggplant. Mix well together.
If you are looking for a healthy, Mediterranean recipe with lots of fresh colorful vegetables packed with nutrients and flavor. Well I got you. This is the perfect summer salad to satisfy your cravings.
This recipe uses just a few ingredients, it’s easy to make, and the salad looks beautiful on your plate.
SUMMER SALAD- TOMATO CUCUMBER AVOCADO SALAD WITH BASIL PESTO
I’ve spent many and I mean many hours in the kitchen trying to come up with the perfect banana bread recipe that my family would love and let me tell you guys that my hubby and kids are picky eaters and nothing blew their minds until now.
This is THE BEST banana bread recipe – easy to make, moist banana bread that is crisp on the outside and loaded with flavor on the inside. Try it because it is so simple and uses every day ingredients from your pantry and the best part is that it is all done in one bowl. Who doesn’t like simple. I sure do because with two kiddos around, it can get hectic.
ONE BOWL BANANA BREAD RECIPE
This is a super moist and dense one bowl banana bread that you will not want to miss out on. It uses simple every day ingredients that you already have in your pantry.
1/2cupCanola oilYou can substitute with oil of your choice.
1/2cupMilk
2Eggs
2tbspBaking powder
1 1/2cup Flour
1/2cupBrown Sugar
1/2 cupGranulated Sugar
1/2tspSalt
1tspVanilla essence
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 160°C / 320°F. Grease and line a 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan with baking paper for easy removal of the banana bread.
In a large mixing bowl, smash the overripe bananas very well. Add oil, milk, sugars, eggs and vanilla essence. Stir until all is mixed well.
Add flour, baking powder and salt. Stir until just combined. It's okay to have a few lumps.
Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until golden or when a skewer inserted in the center of the banana bread comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely and ENJOY!
Summer salad recipes are my absolute favorite. It doesn’t take much to make a vibrant dish. These are perfect for family bbq’s or simple dinners. Whatever it is, these salads are sure to be a be a hit. There are a wide variety to choose from so dive right in.
I’ve selected some of our family’s favorite for you to try out for yourself. KEEP SWIPING TO THE RIGHT.
AVOCADO SALAD WITH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA, BASIL PESTO
I'm saving the best for last. Just looking at this salad makes my mouth water. The vibrant colors as well as anything with Avocados are simply delicious.
I'm saving the best for last. Just looking at this salad makes my mouth water. The vibrant colors as well as anything with Avocados are simply delicious.
Summer is all about fun! Well having meal ideas that are no fuss and easy to make is what you need so that you can have the time to have fun with the family. Personally, our little family loves anything on the grill. Our dinners typically takes less than 30 min to prepare/cook and that in turn gives us more time to hang out with each other outdoors.
Who is ready for some really easy yet delicious summer dinner meal ideas?
Here are 7 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes For The Week.
If you are Guyanese or anyone from the islands, then most likely you know what Gilbaka is. If you don’t, then read below for a snippet.
“Gilbaka is a scaleless saltwater fish that is part of the catfish family. It is found in the muddy sea bottoms of coastal rivers from Guyana to northern Brazil. This sea catfish can grow to enormous sizes and is quite meaty in texture. It is by no means a “pretty” looking fish, but it is quite delicious. It stands up well to heavy seasonings and high-temperature cooking. Gilbaka has very thick, smooth skin that is light gray in color; once cooked, it becomes dark and gelatinous”
This particular fish curry is one that I never get tired of. It is simply delicious. I know it’s not one that you can find in any grocery store but you can definitely pick a few pounds or more up at your local West Indian stores when available.
Enjoy the recipe below and be sure to let me know how it came out. It is very simple and the taste is immaculate.
Prep fish by washing with lemon or lime juice in cold water and pat dry when finished.
Prep your onions, garlic, tomatoes , tamarind/ mangoes and anything else that you would be adding to your fish curry and set aside
In a bowl, mix your curry powder and masala with about 5-6 tbsp of water to make a thick paste.
Heat oil in a wide pan.
Add onions to the pan and fry.
Add masala and curry powder mixture along with the tomatoes to your pan. Let it cook for a few minutes.
Add fish to the mixture then add your salt and let cook for 20 minutes. Add your mangoes or tamarinds and hot peppers. Let cook for additional 15 minutes. You may or may not need to add water. Some fish will lose it's own water as in our case. Gently stir fish but not too much as you do not want it to break.
Remove from heat when the gravy is slightly thick.
Keyword Curry Fish, Fish Curry, Gilbaka Curry, Guyanese fish curry
And there you have it folks, hot Gilbaka curry. You can pair with some calaloo (spinach) and enjoy with your choice of roti or rice.
Cheers!
*** Go follow me on YouTube, I will have the video up for this delicious meal up by the first week of June***
