FOODS OF BELIZE
Cookin' with Ms. Daisy
Meet Ms. Daisy. She has been in our family for a very long time. Ms. Daisy is our nanny and she takes very good care of us after school each day, we just love her. Often when Ms. Daisy is at our house, she will cook something up for us kids to eat. Everything she makes is so good, so we decided that we wanted to share, some of what Ms. Daisy is cookin in our kitchen, with you.
We hope you enjoy all the many dishes Ms. Daisy has for you to enjoy. We think, many of you will enjoy these dishes on your next Belize vacation.
Daisy recommends, the next time you are in Belize - to try the following foods. It will not only add to your experience while visiting Belize, as some of the foods are exciting to experience and definitely out of the ordinary.
We hope you enjoy all the many dishes Ms. Daisy has for you to enjoy. We think, many of you will enjoy these dishes on your next Belize vacation.
Daisy recommends, the next time you are in Belize - to try the following foods. It will not only add to your experience while visiting Belize, as some of the foods are exciting to experience and definitely out of the ordinary.
10 THINGS TO TRY, NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN BELIZE
Belize, also known by some as British Honduras is located beneath the Yucatan Peninsula, along the western edge of the Caribbean Sea, east of Guatemala. After three decades on its own as a nation, Belize has developed a cuisine all its own, based on influences from the Spanish, the Caribbean and the British. While much of the country's food source comes from the Caribbean Sea, many native and traditional dishes have little to do with the ocean and more to do with the abundant fruits, vegetables and seasonings of the region. Next time you are in Belize, there are ten unique dishes or things you should consider trying while you are here.
#1 - STEWED CHICKEN, RICE & BEANS
Stewed chicken is to Belizeans, what fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob are to Americans. The chicken is boiled for several hours with garlic, local seasonings and recado, a root that gives the dish its red coloring. The Mayans used recado for tattoo ink, but it is more commonly used today as coloring in lipstick.
#2 - CASHEW WINE
Cashew wine does not come from the cashew nut but instead a cashew apple, the fruit that surrounds the nut. It produces a very sweet wine, and the best advice is to sip in small doses as this can give you a headache if you drink to much.
#3 - ONE BARREL RUM
1 Barrel Rum is a dark rum and the nation's official liquor of choice.
#4 - JOHNNY CAKES
Johnny cakes are a Belizean bread, similar to a firm biscuit, made with coconut milk and flour. The cakes pack and travel well and are a standard staple to Belizeans, and fishermen who go out for days at at time.
#5 - BAMBOO CHICKEN
Bamboo Chicken is really not chicken, but Iguana. Many restaurants fix this and it is absolutely delicious. As the common saying goes, "It tastes like chicken".
#6 - GIBNUT
Also know as the Royal Rat, because it was served to the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth) when she arrived. It is from the rodent family (but again) Belizeans have a wonderful way of preparing this dish. Mom and Trent tried this dish while in Belize City one day, in a small little local restaurant and they both admit, it was very good.
#7 - CHEESY CHO CHO
This tastes somewhat like cauliflower with cheese sauce on it. Instead, the vegetable is called christophine or chayote, a member of the squash family.
#8 - ESCABECHE
We just love this dish. It is basically a onion-chicken soup, heavy on the onions, black pepper, jalapenos and a white vinegar stock base.
#9 - CRABOO (or SOURSOP) ICE CREAM
This is the top selling ice-cream in San Pedro for Belizeans. The craboo fruit is about the size of a blueberry, but either yellow or red and quite sweet. The ice cream is about the same color. The soursop fruit is bigger and more citrusy. Both are delightful treats on a hot, humid day in Belize.
#10 - RAINFOREST RUM CAKE
Belize is famous for its Rainforest Rum Cakes. Traditional Caribbean rum cake is used. You can buy these in any of the larger grocery stores in Belize. A portion of the sales support the reforestation of the rainforests in this beautiful country.
#1 - STEWED CHICKEN, RICE & BEANS
Stewed chicken is to Belizeans, what fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob are to Americans. The chicken is boiled for several hours with garlic, local seasonings and recado, a root that gives the dish its red coloring. The Mayans used recado for tattoo ink, but it is more commonly used today as coloring in lipstick.
#2 - CASHEW WINE
Cashew wine does not come from the cashew nut but instead a cashew apple, the fruit that surrounds the nut. It produces a very sweet wine, and the best advice is to sip in small doses as this can give you a headache if you drink to much.
#3 - ONE BARREL RUM
1 Barrel Rum is a dark rum and the nation's official liquor of choice.
#4 - JOHNNY CAKES
Johnny cakes are a Belizean bread, similar to a firm biscuit, made with coconut milk and flour. The cakes pack and travel well and are a standard staple to Belizeans, and fishermen who go out for days at at time.
#5 - BAMBOO CHICKEN
Bamboo Chicken is really not chicken, but Iguana. Many restaurants fix this and it is absolutely delicious. As the common saying goes, "It tastes like chicken".
#6 - GIBNUT
Also know as the Royal Rat, because it was served to the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth) when she arrived. It is from the rodent family (but again) Belizeans have a wonderful way of preparing this dish. Mom and Trent tried this dish while in Belize City one day, in a small little local restaurant and they both admit, it was very good.
#7 - CHEESY CHO CHO
This tastes somewhat like cauliflower with cheese sauce on it. Instead, the vegetable is called christophine or chayote, a member of the squash family.
#8 - ESCABECHE
We just love this dish. It is basically a onion-chicken soup, heavy on the onions, black pepper, jalapenos and a white vinegar stock base.
#9 - CRABOO (or SOURSOP) ICE CREAM
This is the top selling ice-cream in San Pedro for Belizeans. The craboo fruit is about the size of a blueberry, but either yellow or red and quite sweet. The ice cream is about the same color. The soursop fruit is bigger and more citrusy. Both are delightful treats on a hot, humid day in Belize.
#10 - RAINFOREST RUM CAKE
Belize is famous for its Rainforest Rum Cakes. Traditional Caribbean rum cake is used. You can buy these in any of the larger grocery stores in Belize. A portion of the sales support the reforestation of the rainforests in this beautiful country.
