HAITI CUISINEBy: Denise Cochran

HAITI CUISINE

Haiti is a French speaking country between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Haiti has so many special cuisines. The cuisines in Haiti are like no other. Since Haiti is a Caribbean island they have many Caribbean influenced foods. Haiti also has a French background so many cuisines are also influences by the French

too. Haitians use vegetables and meats in very many dishes. Peppers and other herbs are often used for strengthening flavor. Many dishes are described as

moderately spicy, not mild and not too hot. The Haitians are best known for their Creole dishes, which mix French, African and traditional Haitian elements.

HAITI CUISINE

Haitians are known for making some pretty wild food are some

famous Haitian dishes: Legim Griots Diri ak Poule Lambi (Lambee) Grillot et banane pese Tassot de Dinde Macaroni Aú Gratin

Tassot de Dinde

HAITI CUISINE

Legim is a vegetable stew. Legim contains a mixture

of eggplant, cabbage, chayote, spinach,

watercress and other vegetables depending on

the cook. It is flavored with epis, onions, garlic, and tomato paste, and generally cooked with

beef and/or crab. Legim is often served with rice.

This lady here is making Legim soup with fresh vegetables

HAITI CUISINE

Macaroni Aú Gratin is a traditional Italian

dish of creamy macaroni and

cheese. It is made in a baked casserole

that has lots of layers of cheddar

cheese flavor in the mix.

Haitian Macaroni Aú Gratin

HAITI CUISINE

Pikliz is a bunch of vegetables soaked

in vinegar. Pikliz is a crunchy salad that is served as a side

dish at Haitian meals. It is also

used in marinades or to makes other

dishes spicy.

Haitian Pikliz

HAITI CUSINE

Griots are cubes of pork are soaked in a

sour orange marinade. They are slow-roasted until tender. Once they

are tender they are fry in oil and

caramelized. They are usually served with fried or fresh

cut onions.

Haitian Griots

HOW TO MAKE HAITIAN GRIOTS

Ingredients Pork shoulder, cubed -- 4

pounds Onion, thinly sliced -- 1 Green or red bell pepper, thinly

sliced -- 1 Scotch bonnet peppers,

chopped (optional) -- 1 or 2 Shallots, thinly sliced -- 2 or 3 Garlic, chopped -- 3 or 4 cloves Thyme -- 2 teaspoons Salt -- 2 teaspoons Pepper -- 1 teaspoon Oranges -- 2 Limes -- 3 Oil -- 1/4 cup

Step by step directions

Add the pork and all the other ingredients except the oil to a large, non-reactive bowl and mixt together well. Refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours to let the meat soak up the marinade.

Oven to 375°F. Place the pork and its marinade into a large roasting pan and cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Place in the oven and roast for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the pork is tender.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Remove any extra liquid in the pan, putting it into a saucepan, and set aside. Add the oil to the pan and stir it into the meat. Return the roasting pan to the oven and let the pork cook for 20 to 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Any liquid will evaporate away and the meat will begin to fry in the oil and brown.

While the meat is frying in the oven, place the saucepan with the reserved liquid on the top of the stove and boil it down until it is well reduced and thickens. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and mix the reduced sauce into the browned pork. Serve hot with with sos ti-malice, banan peze, and a side of pikliz.

HAITIAN DRINKS

When eating Haitian meals you have to have just the right drink to complement it. Like most people in France Haitians cook with wine. They also have many Caribbean drinks they make. Their favorite drinks are mostly juices since there so many fresh fruits to make them.

HAITIAN DRINKS

Here are some famous Haitian

drinks. Akasan Malta Prestige Caribbean Hot

Chocolate Kremas

Haitian Caribbean Hot Chocolate

HAITIAN DRINKS

Prestige is the most popular beer in Haiti. It is a mild

beer. Many people say it is a lot like Budweiser and

Miller Light. Beer is actually brewed

right in Haiti in the Brasserie National

d’Haiti.

An add for Prestige beer in Haiti

HAITIAN DRINKS

Malta is a popular non-alcoholic drink in Haiti. Malta is much like soda.

It is it is brewed from barley, hops, and water.

Malta can also be found in the U.S at any Caribbean store. Malta

is very sweet and usually described as tasting like molasses. Haitian Malta

HAITIAN DRINKS

Akasan is a Haitian drink that is served at breakfast. This drink can be bought from the grocery store. It can also be made at

home. It is made with cream of cornmeal, evaporated milk, cinnamon, vanilla

extract, sugar, and a pinch of salt.

Haitian Akasan is a legacy brought from their Taino

ancestors.

HOW TO MAKE HAITIAN AKASAN

Ingredients 2 cinnamon sticks 4 to 6 anise star 1 cup very fine corn

flour dash of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 (12 ounce) cans

evaporated milk Sugar to taste

Directions Boil 4 cups water with cinnamon and

anise stars. Dilute corn flour in 1 cup cold water and dash of salt.

Slowly pour liquified corn flour into boiling water, stirring constantly until it thickens but no more than 5 minutes Add vanilla extract and can of  evaporated milk and allow to completely cool.

Refrigerate if you like it cold. If you like it warm, add evaporated milk and sugar to taste is if making a cup of coffee.

Always remove anise star and cinnamon before serving. Serve with evaporated milk.

SOURCES http://www.islandflave.com/recipes/65-haitian-recipes/288-akasan http://www.google.com/imgres?

q=haitian+Griots&hl=en&safe=active&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=eb_v6TH52KZ-CM:&imgrefurl=http://cookinginsens.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/haitian-griot/&docid=n604lD1erRE2dM&imgurl=http://cookinginsens.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/imgp1006.jpg&w=4000&h=3000&ei=kzyhT92oMIea8gTM5vH7Bw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=92&sig=105836446176250011016&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=199&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:34,s:0,i:86&tx=145&ty=29

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q=haitian+Legim+soup&hl=en&safe=active&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=zOgjlDwJtsBktM:&imgrefurl=http://margaretinlescayes.blogspot.com/&docid=brVlKo15E6SUQM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8VjGdtM2mo/T3eVVhj4P1I/AAAAAAAAEP4/iAqx1-KN2SM/s1600/P1040519.JPG&w=1200&h=1600&ei=wTuhT5azGoq49QSQqvigCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=251&sig=105836446176250011016&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=104&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0,i:69&tx=92&ty=99

http://www.reference.com/browse/haitian_cuisine