Issue 013: Get A Taste of Trinidad

Hey Q-Crew!

It’s Caribbean Heritage Month! I’m so excited to share my heritage with you all through tasty flavorful dishes and explore the mouthwatering cuisines of other islands. Today we’re headed to Trinidad & Tobago with Chuck Steak Pelau!

Pelau is a simple one pot meal made with pantry staples often made in Trinidad to feed large amounts of people on special occasions, gatherings, or just a day at the beach. You can use any protein you want. Like chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork, or none at all.

This month’s theme is Caribbean Heritage Month! Recognized in the U.S. every June, this month celebrates the rich history and vibrant culture of the islands of the Caribbean. Of course, we’re going to celebrate it through food! This may be the most traditional my recipes ever get (with my own small twists). Each week we’ll visit new countries through their culinary staples.

Trinidad: Chuck Steak Pelau

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 3

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chuck steak cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups rice
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 6 cloves garlic diced
• 1 stalk celery diced
• 2 small carrots diced
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 1/2 cup green seasoning
• 1 can green pigeon peas drained
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 4.5 cups water
• 2 stalks scallion sliced
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 2 chicken maggi cube
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp complete seasoning
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp oil

Step 2: Add the oil to the pot over medium high heat.

Step 4: Add the meat and stir to brown and coat in the burnt sugar.

Step 6: Stir in the carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and remaining green seasoning and let cook down until the veggies soften and become fragrant.

Step 8: Add the coconut milk, water, scallion, thyme, and scotchbonnet pepper whole.

Step 10: Add the butter, Maggi, black pepper, bay leaves, complete seasoning, and ketchup and stir.

Step 12: Boil until the rice is nearly visible under the surface of the water.

Step 14: Steam until rice is cooked roughly 25-30 minutes.

Step 16: Serve and enjoy!