Bush Tea

by Crucian Contessa

If there is one thing we have an abundance of on our island, it is literally bush, grass, vegetation! Everything is green, not because it wants to be but because it literally has to be! What else should nature create when it has an over abundance of fertile earth, life encouraging sunshine, and enough rain to keep everything flourishing and alive. Crucians are nothing if not creative, and over time we have learned to use what is available to us in creative and necessary ways. And nothing is more elemental and nourishing than a steaming cup of Bush Tea!! Read More

St. Croix Food and Wine Experience

by Crucian Contessa

What a wonderful set of weeks! I received a message from the folks at the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience, asking me to put together a food demonstration to teach children how to make some of our local foods. Well, the former teacher and the current foodie in me were both thrilled!

The St. Croix Food and Wine Experience is a wonderful way of fusing food and philanthropy! Rated by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top Ten Food and Wine Festivals, the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience is in its 13th year of sharing and promoting all the culinary creativity on our beautiful little Rock! The funds generated from this event are then shared with various non-profits here on St. Croix! The power of food and community is simply unparalleled! I am so excited to participate this year! If you are on island, buy a ticket and support this event! If you are not on island, buy a ticket, pack your bags, and visit this magical isle! 🙂

Visit their website to learn more about the festival at http://www.stcroixfoodandwine.com! 

Uncommoncaribbean.com!!!

by Crucian Contessa

It is a wonderful thing when those whose work you admire, admire yours too! Recently, the wonderful folks at Uncommon Caribbean asked me to collaborate with them and share a few recipes on their site dedicated to sharing the beauty of the Caribbean! They are so talented and their passion for all things Caribbean is easily seen by their beautiful pictures and words!

Check them out!! And don’t resist the urge to start packing your bags and heading for warmer weather! The first article they posted is just in time for the Christmas spirit, the Coquito Bread Pudding Rambling!!!

Enjoy it once more! 🙂

 

Local Crucian Pineapples

by Crucian Contessa

Here on the island the food scene is exploding! Everywhere you turn more and more people are exploring the possibilities of foods that we can grow, cultivate, and share. One of my favorite farmer stands is run by a warm, and wonderful woman known simply to me as Mrs. Jackson. Her stand is perched right on Centerline Road. Whenever my husband and I find ourselves west of the Airport Road, Mrs. Jackson’s farm stand is a must stop! Read More

Contessa Honey Coconut French Toast

by Crucian Contessa

There is a story in the Old Testament where God promised the Israelites a new homeland flowing with “Milk and Honey” after they crossed the dessert. Well, I can easily say without any intended irreverence, if God had promised me a land filled with rivers of COCONUT milk and CRUCIAN honey, I too would travel without complaints over the expansive hot desert sands (barefoot)!!! Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!!

by Crucian Contessa

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I hope the food you make today creates and adds to the wealth of family memories for tomorrow. Give thanks for all that you are and all that you are going to become! There is so much in the gift of food and gratitude! 🙂

The Crucian Contessa

Contessa Brown Butter & Lemongrass Tilapia

by Crucian Contessa

I have been working with lemongrass as a flavoring quite a bit lately. It finds itself in ice teas, ice creams, and now in savory dishes like this one. I enjoy the flavor that comes from lime zest, but I find the subtle scent of lemon grass makes the perfect substitute. Also, its grassy undertones elevate the dish in ways that lime zest alone can’t compete with. So, I decided to try it in this fish recipe. Coconut milk, lemongrass, a hint of curry, and other complex Caribbean flavors make their way into this luscious and incredibly simple end-of-the-week, supper dish.

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Contessa Tip #12

by Crucian Contessa

Be sure to read every recipe thoroughly before beginning. There is nothing worse than believing you can wing it. Especially when you realize that the 3 cups of sugar was supposed to be divided between the cake and the glaze. Or that the egg you added to the dough was to be used for the final egg wash in a croissant! Trust me, I have had that experience of one too many eggs in a cheesecake.

Part of the fun of cooking is learning how things come together. How time, individual ingredients, and perfect technique can help create unforgettable food and family memories! Rediscover your kitchen and enjoy!!

TasteSpotting!!!

by Crucian Contessa

October 18th was definitely a two-in-one kind of day!! First Tastespotting chose my Avocado Egg Rolls recipe, then my other favorite site Foodista picked it up and highlighted it!! It really brings me joy to see the foods we grow right here on our little Rock highlighted and celebrated! Big Smiles, even if a bit late in posting!!

Here is what I shouted on my FB page about this true honor!! “Food bloggers know how notoriously difficult it is to get one of their photos on Tastespotting.com! Well, today they accepted one of my photographs!! What a wonderful surprise!! :)” 

Avocado Egg Rolls!!!

Foodista!!

by Crucian Contessa

I suppose this is what happens when you try to balance life, work, and blogging! You forget to post that on October 18th, one of your all time favorite Food Sites recognized the beauty and hard work of the things you create and love!

I think my original post on FB says it most honestly, “FOODISTA!! ARE YOU SERIOUS TODAY!!? Ok, so this is truly ridiculous (In an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL way)!!! TWO postings by two major food blogging websites!! Foodista.com saw this on Tastespotting.com, and FEATURED it on their site!! So excited that folks are sharing the love and passion for the flavor profiles right here on our little Rock!! What an AWESOME day!! :)”  Contessa Avocado Eggrolls!!