Hi, I am Chef Zara. In this post, I will guide you through the Caribbean Cookbooks.
I love discovering new food and cooking with friends and family. One of the most common questions that I often get is for cookbook recommendations. I have created this guide for friends, family, and new friends alike. I hope that you enjoy our site.
Caribbean Cooking through the Caribbean islands 👙
Caribbean recipes have a certain exotic flair, drawing from the ethnic mix of its islands and the spices used by Columbus on his voyages to the New World and beyond.
With such rich flavor combinations, It’s no wonder that Caribbean recipes have grown in popularity, especially in North America, where interest in other ethnic cuisines has skyrocketed over the past few decades.
The following seven cookbooks will help you take your love of this unique food to the next level, whether you’re already an expert or just starting on your culinary journey!
Here are The 7 Caribbean Cookbooks to Check Out! 👇
1. Afro-Vegan
Why We Love It ❤️
Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry is perfect for anyone looking to bring a little spice into their everyday cooking. Filled with ethnic recipes, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Not only are Terry’s recipes unique, but they’re also easy to follow and fun.
So whether you want classic dishes like goat curry, rice, and beans, or something more exotic like mango carrot pudding with cinnamon cream, there’s something for everyone.
There are even gluten-free options! For those of us who aren’t vegan but want to eat less meat while exploring some new flavors, this cookbook is worth checking out.
Review 📖
Terry’s Afro-Vegan Caribbean cookbook includes more than 100 modern recipes based on his memories and the history of African food. Additionally, Terry offers insights about building a community around food and suggests tracks from around the world and books we should read.
Innovative, plant-based global cuisine that is healthy, fresh, and a new direction in vegan cooking is available in AfroVegan’s groundbreaking recipes. Terry guides readers through creating personal meals with recipes incorporating ancient grains, roots and greens, sea vegetables, and nut butter.
He also highlights many ways to use these staples as delicious spreads and traditional ingredients in other dishes. His delicious creations range from Vegan Cholent stew to Mango Carrot Pudding.
2. Original Flava
Why We Love It ❤️
The book is a compilation of recipes from various Caribbean islands like Dominicana and Jamaica. In addition, the Caribbean cookbook has a brief description and history of each recipe, which helps you better understand what you’re cooking or why you’re cooking it.
In addition, some photos illustrate specific Caribbean cooking steps, making it easy for new cooks who may not have a lot of experience.
It also has helpful suggestions for substitutes and variations for people who aren’t familiar with every ingredient or can’t find them locally.
Review 📖
All the meals in this cookbook are vibrant, lively, exciting, and full of the influences of the different cultures that make Jamaica such a wonderful Caribbean island favorite. The authors traveled to Jamaica specifically to bring Jamaica’s authentic and fresh flavors!
The recipes are easy, accessible, and tasty. With this book, you’ll experience what it’s like to eat grandma’s food again with our Ackee ‘n’ Saltfish and Curry goat.
Give a home-cooked feel to some classic favorites with recipes like Garlic butter lobster and Trini doubles. But, of course, it’s fun for us to put a new twist on things, so there are dishes like Honey roasted jerk-spiced salmon, Plantain beanburgers, and Banana fritter cheesecake.
3. My Modern Caribbean Kitchen
Why We Love It ❤️
My Modern Caribbean Kitchen cookbook includes tips for novice cooks learning how to cook Caribbean dishes. Not only does this cookbook provide a wealth of information about the history and culinary traditions behind dishes, including Panama, but it also provides vibrant photographs of every recipe!
Review 📖
To create this tropical cuisine he grew up with, Julius Jackson applied his culinary techniques so that he could create home-cooked meals bursting with the unique spices and tasty ingredients the Caribbean is known for.
A tropical menu is simple, with Island cooking Style Farina for a classic Caribbean breakfast, No-Mess Curry Chicken for a meal enjoyed by all, and One-Pot Wonder Chicken and Rice for a meal the whole family will enjoy.
Crisp and fresh, These Crisp Creole Fish Recipes are ideal for enjoying any time of the day. Incorporated with Julius’s island cooking experiences, these recipes are a joyous blend of traditional cuisine and surprises.
4. Natural Flava
Why We Love It ❤️
If you want fresh, light, and healthy recipes, look no further than Jamaican native Jeanette Lewis’s book. For those who may have never tried Caribbean recipes, this would be a perfect starter recipe book as it is simple yet packed full of flavor and health benefits.
The easy step-by-step guide will also mean anyone can create these dishes in their kitchen.
Review 📖
Although Caribbean dishes are sometimes noted for their well-known jerk chicken dishes, it is also recognized for their large selection of tasty meat and fish dishes. Furthermore, it includes various products like plantain, yams, jackfruit, guava, and more, making it perfect for vegan recipes.
This cookbook contains a unique mix of ingredients, including plantains, yams, channa (chickpeas), coconut milk, coriander leaves, thyme, and many more. Some of these dishes may seem unusual if you haven’t tried them before; however, they’re worth it because they taste incredible! This manual provides a walk-through guide for anyone who wants to explore cultural cooking.
5. The Caribbean, Central & South American Cookbook
Why We Love It ❤️
We like that it’s a high-quality hardcover cookbook that is perfect for any kitchen. This highly reviewed, the bestselling cookbook is a must-have if you enjoy cooking and exploring cultural recipes.
The tropical cuisine section has several mouthwatering recipes to try, such as Calamari and Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing and Curried Chicken Breasts with Mango Chutney. With easy step-by-step instructions, anyone can recreate these dishes!
Review 📖
This cookbook is full of pictures and easy-to-follow recipes. The added history of each recipe was interesting and will make you want to try them out even more.
It’s a Latin American journey of vibrant flavors through recipes photographed throughout. You’ll find everything from seafood to desserts and savory street food recipes. Thanks to this beautifully curated collection of authentic dishes from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, you’ll be transported back in time.
A modern twist on some traditional classics – cornbread becomes cornbread cake, and patacones are elevated by adding buttermilk – will make your taste buds stand up and notice. Another standout feature is how many vegetarian options there are; rest assured, such meatless days won’t be boring!
6. Caribbean Cookbook
Why We Love It ❤️
This best cookbook will walk you through easy-to-follow recipes with helpful hints and tips that make even complicated meals seem simple.
Review 📖
The author will also teach you about different cultures worldwide and offer some cool suggestions for different Caribbean dishes.
This book contains vibrant photographs and personal stories from the author and features over 100 delicious recipes from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
It filled with Jinich’s entertaining anecdotes on her childhood in Mexico City to running one of America’s hottest restaurants. This guide is clear-cut, and the author knows what she’s talking about regarding food.
7. Most Popular Caribbean Recipes Quick & Easy!
Why We Love It ❤️
While most people associate Caribbean food with Jamaica and its signature dishes, such as jerk chicken and tropical fruit juices, several other islands boast equally delicious cuisine.
These recipes from Haiti and Cuba to Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago offer a glimpse of some of these lesser-known islands’ unique cooking styles. So whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or something more filling for dinner, there’s no shortage of creative ideas in these cookbooks.
Review 📖
This book features traditional Caribbean dishes from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad. This Caribbean cookbook focuses on the favorite dishes of Caribbean residents. Learn how to make Jamaican patties, Trinidadian curries, Jamaican Jerk chicken, and many other favorites.
It also includes pictures of each dish so you can see what you are cooking before diving into the recipe. The book is easy to follow and well laid out, so you know what ingredients you will need for every dish.
In addition, the authors include measurements in both imperial (cups) and metric (grams), which is great for those who don’t use either system exclusively.
Final Thoughts
Looking for a way to spruce up your kitchen skills? The Caribbean is known for some amazing dishes you should try cooking at home. These seven cookbooks are full of mouthwatering recipes and beautiful images of Caribbean culture that will have you feeling inspired.
So give them a look, and see if any recipes strike your fancy. If they do, purchase one or more of these books! Who knows, maybe you’ll find your next favorite dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Caribbean country has the best cuisine?
The islands of Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad are known for their foods made with coconut milk, which is rich in healthy fats. The Dutch introduced many of these recipes during their colonial rule in those regions centuries ago.
Puerto Rico’s cuisine leans heavily on Spanish and African roots. However, over time, the island’s dishes have been influenced by the migration of people from other Latin American countries like Colombia and Venezuela.
In Cuba, the influence of Creole food from France has affected Cuban cooking and Spain. France ruled Haiti for a long time, so you can expect a lot of dishes that draw from French influences too!
What is the most popular Caribbean food?
While each island has specific dishes, some are popular throughout most regions. For example, jerk chicken is a spicy dish using marinated meat, usually cooked on a grill or over an open fire.
This savory flavor is infused with fiery pepper, other herbs, and spices native to Jamaica. In addition, many people will add some pineapple while they cook it, giving it a great sweet, tangy taste that you’ll love!
What is considered Caribbean cuisine?
This cuisine combines elements from Africa, Europe, and America but is most typically influenced by African roots. It’s known for using a variety of spices, including vanilla and cinnamon, which have become staples of many tropical dishes. Foods are usually not heavily processed or spicy to preserve the natural flavors of fruits and vegetables.
What is unique about Caribbean cuisine?
This food has a subtle blend of African, American, and European flavors that result from its colonization by these countries. For example, curry is found in many popular dishes such as stewed fish and chicken.
Along with curry are coconut milk, red and green chilies, garlic, ginger root, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice berries (or clove), sugar, or brown sugar.
Why is Caribbean food so popular?
You might wonder why this cuisine is so popular and what makes it so special. There are so many factors, but in my opinion, one of the most appealing aspects is that it mixes various cultures’ cooking methods and styles.
When Europeans came to the West Indies, they introduced ingredients such as beef, pork, bacon, and chicken; meanwhile, enslaved Africans introduced their own culture’s food by bringing over rice, yams, okra, and other African crops.
The unique blend of these different cuisines has created a truly incredible mixture of flavors for you to enjoy!
What are some of your favorite Caribbean cookbooks?
Bookstores are full of the best Caribbean cookbooks, but what if you’re looking for a little different perspective on Caribbean cuisine? These seven cookbooks offer new takes on island cooking flavors, and they’re all worth a try.
