Caribbean

This recipe was created to accompany Key Lime Mascarpone "Cannoli" with Mango Sauce . Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Spicy Baked Chicken Wings)

(Braised Beef, Peppers, and Onions) Ropa vieja, or "old clothes," describes the shreds of meat, peppers, and onions resembling a mess of colorful rags. Robust stews such as this Cuban specialty are at the heart of West Indian cuisine.

Naomi Wagman Kirstein of Danvers, Massachusetts, writes: "I would love to have the recipe for the West Indian beef stew served at The Golden Lemon Inn & Villas on St. Kitts, in the West Indies." The green olives in this recipe cut the richness of the stew by adding a slightly pungent flavor.<

"Caribbean food has become a real favorite of mine," writes Cindy M. Wright of Tarzana, California. "I just love the flavors of this spicy cuisine. One of the best places in my area is Cha Cha Cha in Encino. I've enjoyed everything I've had there, but I especially like the shrimp and rice dish called camarones negros."

A lightly dressed salad of baby greens would complement this entrée nicely; serve rum-drizzled grilled pound cake slices afterward.

(Salt Cod Fritters)

Rum and spices-classic Caribbean ingredients-also happen to be the classic ingredients in the traditional English steamed pudding. This lovely version of the Christmas dessert is from the Grand View Beach Hotel, Villa Point, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Begin preparing it at least one day before serving.

Sofrito is a sautéed vegetable mixture used as a seasoning in much of Latin America and the Caribbean. It typically contains garlic, onion, bell pepper, coriander, and sometimes tomatoes or ham, although the recipe varies among countries. In our version, we've omitted the oil normally used to cook the ingredients and instead simply puréed the vegetables. This recipe was created to accompany Grilled Citrus Salmon. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Offer your favorite corn bread along with the kebabs and salads.

The best smoothies are made with very ripe fruit. Mango, pineapple and banana team up with light coconut milk in this one.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Vanilla-Bean Cheesecake with Guava Topping .

This seasonal take on a Puerto Rican favorite adds pumpkin purée and a touch of warm spice for an autumnal flair.

A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.

Somewhere between a soup and stew, this spicy chicken bouyon is a family favorite.

With pounds of dried fruit and glugs of dark rum, this is a recipe for serious fruitcake fans.

This chicken stew seasoned with aromatic spices, tomato, and sofrito is ideal comfort for cold evenings.

This dairy-free version of the Puerto Rican holiday classic is punched up with Jamaican aromatics.