Cooking for Real Season 3 Episode 6 West Indian Love Letter
- 21 min
In season 3 episode 6 of Cooking for Real, titled "West Indian Love Letter," host Sunny Anderson takes viewers on a culinary journey to the Caribbean, where she explores the flavors and ingredients of West Indian cuisine. Throughout the episode, Sunny shares her love letter to the culture and cuisine of the Caribbean, highlighting the bold and flavorful dishes that make this region so unique.
To start things off, Sunny demonstrates how to make fresh mango salsa, a refreshing and vibrant accompaniment to any West Indian meal. She also shares her recipe for jerk chicken, a fiery and spicy dish that's a staple of Jamaican cuisine. The secret to the perfect jerk chicken, according to Sunny, is the marinade, which she makes with a blend of scallions, thyme, allspice, garlic, and Scotch bonnet peppers.
Next up, Sunny heads to Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood to meet with Chef Rawlston Williams, the owner of The Food Sermon restaurant. Together, they prepare a classic West Indian dish called roti, which is a type of flatbread that's used to scoop up stews and curries. Chef Rawlston shows Sunny how to make the dough from scratch, and the two of them cook up a delicious chicken curry to go with it.
After their cooking session, Sunny and Chef Rawlston sit down to enjoy their meal and talk about the cultural significance of West Indian cuisine. Chef Rawlston explains how his upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago influenced his cooking style, and how he's helping to preserve the traditions and flavors of his homeland through his restaurant.
Back in the kitchen, Sunny prepares a side dish of plantains, which are a staple of Caribbean cuisine. She sautés the sliced plantains with onions and peppers, giving them a savory and slightly sweet flavor. To round out the meal, she also makes a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad, which adds a crunchy and tangy element to the plate.
Throughout the episode, Sunny shares her personal stories and experiences with West Indian culture, from the colorful street parades to the lively music and dance. She also highlights the diversity of the region, noting the influence of African, Indian, and European cultures on the cuisine.
In the final segment of the show, Sunny heads to Queens to visit a local Caribbean bakery, where she samples a variety of sweets and pastries. She tries a coconut tart, a sweet and flaky pastry filled with shredded coconut and spices, as well as a traditional Jamaican patty, which is a savory pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables.
Overall, "West Indian Love Letter" is a celebration of the bold and exciting flavors of West Indian cuisine, as well as the vibrant culture and traditions that surround it. Sunny Anderson's enthusiasm and passion for the food and culture shine through in every segment of the show, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for viewers.
