I was a little daunted by the book at the beginning when it kept asking for ingredients that I’ve either never heard of, or are very difficult to procure for the average Canadian. Welcome to our Caribbean vegan fusion series bringing you Caribbean infusion flavour from around the world. This cookbook definitely delivers on what it promises in that every recipe is packed with spices, peppers, and other flavourful foods to guarantee meals that will leave your taste buds happy. Natural Flava’ brings together Ital inspiration, punchy Caribbean flava and quick and easy recipes in this feel-good cookbook.

The most important thing, we think, is the togetherness food brings­ - the same happiness we have with our family. Their cookbook, Original Flava: Caribbean Recipes from Home, was released in 2019 and was a bestseller. Determined to find more interesting Vegan recipes with actual ingredients rather than 'fake meat' this book wonderfully fit my requirements. Essentially Jamaican cooking without salt, meat, or additives, Ital is just as tasty but with the power to promote overall health and wellness. Think Potato and chickpea curry with roti, Jerk cauliflower wings, Coconut, black-eyed pea and sweet potato stew, and Plantain cookies .Some of the recipes are veganised versions of predominantly Jamaican classics; others are Caribbean-inflected reworkings of foods they love and have grown up eating. By the way, I used vegetable shortening (in the form of Trex, which is much the same as Crisco) rather than the vegan butter stipulated in the recipe, as I always have it in the fridge for pastry. A vibrantly designed Caribbean vegan cookbook from the internationally celebrated duo behind Original Flava.

There were a few ingredients I couldn’t get, but used alternatives and the dish was still VERY good!Being lovers of spice and big flavours, we have enjoyed quite a few homemade dishes from from the Original Flava Caribbean Recipes From Home by Craig and Shaun McAnuff – full of authentic, delicious Caribbean recipes. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, and I have to say that for someone in the Caribbean, this would probably be a good recipe book. Most of the recipes come with full colour photography, measurements are in metric terms, and the instructions are simple to follow. This is rare for many reasons that are maybe too related to neurodiversity/mental to go into but significant enough, reader, to get those 5 stars. I don't know a lot about Caribbean food, let alone vegan Caribbean recipes so I was excited to learn more.

Think Potato and chickpea curry with roti, Jerk cauliflower wings, Coconut, black-eyed pea and sweet potato stew, and Plantain cookies. We also like to twist it up a likkle to give dishes our modern spin, so you can find recipes for Honey Roasted Jerk-Spiced Salmon, Plantain Beanburgers, and Banana Fritter Cheesecake. This delicious, vibrant Caribbean-influenced cookbook from the bestselling duo behind Original Flava includes over 100 easy recipes. So I prescribe myself the Kitchen Cure, which is to say I lose myself in cooking and eating good things full of bright flavour.

Just to note (because I often make the mistake of not reading recipes fully until I come to make something! Presented with mouthwatering pictures and engaging text that makes you want to cook, the recipes are easy to follow and written in an engaging way that isn't gimmicky. Jamaican food also has an authentic vegan history with the Rastafarian Ital diet ('Ital' is a natural, unprocessed, plant-based diet used to promote wellness). In a large frying pan, heat some olive oil and the onion and garlic and cook down for 5-7 minutes over a medium-high heat until soft.

We want to give you platefuls that taste like grandma's food so there are recipes for classics like Ackee 'n' Saltfish and Curry goat , and Caribbean favourites from home such as Garlic butter lobster and Trini doubles .We want to give you platefuls that taste like grandma's food so there are recipes for classics like Ackee 'n' Saltfish and Curry goat, and Caribbean favourites from home such as Garlic butter lobster and Trini doubles. There are many recipes of greedy interest: Plantain Hummus; Caribbean-Spiced Jackfruit Wraps with Plum Sauce; Corn Fritters; Tomato and Coconut Pasta; a tremendous Curry Tofu and Vegetables, which I nearly selected to run here; Cauliflower Burger with Spicy Mayo, Slaw and Mango Chutney; Sweet Potato and Chickpea Peanut Stew with Jollof Rice; a fabulous meat-free take on Pepper Pot Soup; Yam Fries with Scotch Bonnet Sauce or Chilli Jam, and there’s also a recipe for Mango Chilli Sauce I have my eye on. Original Flava: Caribbean Recipes from Home by Craig and Shaun McAnuff celebrates Carribean cookery but with a modern twist. I wish the recipes had some general cook-times listed, but while they don’t, the recipes also don’t seem like they would take all day.