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Add Some Spice to Your Life
With These Valentine Recipes

A taste of Grenada

By Phyllis Steinberg

There is no better way to demonstrate how you much you love the special people in your lives than by preparing a wonderful meal this Valentine’s Day.

And to get in the mood for romance, I have selected some tropical favorite recipes from the Caribbean that are bound to please those people who hold a special place in our hearts.

Caribbean cuisine features foods such as rich mangoes, refreshing limes, creamy chocolate, fragrant nutmeg, tangy pumpkin and spicy ginger.

On the island of Grenada, you can actually smell the aroma of fresh spices in the air, when you arrive on this Caribbean destination.

Michael Carroll, Executive Chef of the Spice Island Beach Resort on the picturesque Grand Anse Beach in Grenada has whipped up some delicious recipes for those you love this Valentine’s Day.

Whisking your loved one away to the Spice Island Beach Resort situated on two miles of white sandy beach with crystal clear waters is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day with someone you love, but if you can’t go, here are some recipes to share with someone you love. 

Also included are recipes from Caribbean Desserts by Dr. Betty K.  Enjoy these tropical Caribbean recipes on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year!

Chocolate Carrot Cake

By Michael Carroll, Executive Chef of Spice Island Resort

(This can be made in a heart shaped pan or a 10 inch round pan.)

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup sifted flour
1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 /2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 /4 cup cocoa powder

Cream the sugar and butter. Add 4 eggs slowly beating well. Fold in grated carrots. Fold in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa powder. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serves 8.

Pumpkin Soup

By Michael Carroll, Executive Chef of Spice Island Beach Resort

6 cups peeled and chopped pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
12 ounces coconut milk (canned is fine)
6 cups water
1 /2 cup green green or red pepper chopped
2 onions, peeled and chopped
1 head of garlic, peeled an chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Bring everything to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes. Blend to a creamy finish and season to taste. Serves 8.

Mango Cake

From: Caribbean Desserts

1 /2 cup butter of margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed, ripe mango
1 & 1 /2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 /2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cream
1 /2 cup chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans

In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, beating well. Add mango and mix in thoroughly. Combine flour, baking powder and allspice. Stir into mango mixture. Stir in vanilla, cream and nuts. Pour batter into a greased 5 by 9 inch loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for 45 to 50 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Mango Mousse

From: Caribbean Desserts

3 egg whites
3 /4 cup sugar
1 cup mango pulp
1 cup whipping cream
mango slices or strawberries for garnish

Beat the egg whites until very stiff. Add sugar and continue to beat. Fold in mango pulp. Beat in whipping cream; add to mango mixture. Spoon mango mixture into individual glasses or spoon onto a plate and garnish with strawberries or mango slices. Chill.  Serves 4. 

Dundee Fruit Cake

From: Caribbean Desserts

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 & 1 /2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 /2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
1 /3 red cherries, chopped
1 /3 cup chopped walnuts
blanched almonds for decoration

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Fold into egg mixture alternating with milk, a little at a time. Coat fruits with three to four tablespoons flour and fold into the batter with the walnuts. Pour the batter into a greased 1 & 1 /2 by 9 inch round pan. Decorate with the almonds. Bake at 325 degrees F. for about one hour.   

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