How much Conch is too much? I can’t imagine; I say, “the bigger the better.” And, that’s what I got at the Coconut Grove Goombay Festival. How many Conchs does it take to make a big Conch? Well, I bought some Conch at my local fish market so I will let you know. In the meantime, you tell me. What do “you” think is a good Conch – big, small, spicy or mild?

Feel  free to share your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook.

(By the way, the photo is “part” of my Conch Fritter from the festival..it was absolutely DELICIOUS!)

It’s summer – so come on board; a cruise is the perfect vacation. Whatever you can imagine is available on a cruise. The great news is there are so many deals available right now.  Simply choose a Caribbean country, choose the cuisine, and choose the activities and amenities. Of course, the most difficult part of it all is deciding which luxurious cruise ship to choose from!

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    Many of don’t have the good fortune of a tropical climate in which to unwind tilling a fresh rotation of crops all year round. So how to be a year round gardener if the ground is just finally thawing? And how to do it with a bit of tropical flair without being a slave to heat lamps or mortgage payments on a greenhouse?

1. Before you say you can’t grow bananas, find out if you really can’t grow bananas. The basjoo banana plant (notice I did not say “tree”) is hardy to 20 degrees when properly mulched. Yes, I said 20 degrees.

Consider the following sources:

Banana Tree

More Banana Trees

Banana Plants

Bananas from Brighter blooms

1. It can still be worth it to grow tropical fruit in a growing season too short for fruit. Bananas, for example, are worthy of consideration for their elegant asymmetric leaf structure and lush textures. Also, from a culinary perspective, the banana leaf is a superb grilling instrument. Consider using whenever you would think of using aluminum foil.
2. Ginger is another tropical worth cultivating even in a short growing season. As it grows, it develops tender pink shoots that don’t need to be peeled and have a more  mild flavor. If you have ever tried green garlic, we are on the same page.
3. Consider bringing plants in during cold weather. Some tropical plants do not require blistering sun to prosper. One of them is font color=”#d5480a”>ginger:
4. Grow more thyme, mint, and sage. All of these are low maintenance, hardy plants very much used in Caribbean cuisine, in great part because they work so well with tropical flavors in both sweet and savory settings.

By the way, this is from MY Caribbean garden – lots of sage & mint!

For more hints, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

THIS PHOTO IS FROM AMAZON.COM

This three arm bamboo pump and spout fountain is simple and reasonably priced. The water flow is adjustable and is soothing. Make sure to buy the fountain that is properly sized for your pot since the width is not adjustable (as may appear to be the case). The only challenge, as would be the case for any fountain, is to hide the electric cord, which is black. Therefore, aesthetically, this fountain probably works best with a darker pot. I may paint the cord to match the pot to make it inconspicuous.

THIS IS FROM MY CARIBBEAN GARDEN – I will share more photos after the finished product. 

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I’m a huge fan of Pollo Tropical pollotropical.com. It’s a quick, easy and delicious trip to the Caribbean. One of my favorite dishes is their Grilled Tropical Wings. It comes with two sauces -Pineapple Rum Sauce or Spicy Amazon. You can choose from either or do as I do – have both!
For more Caribbean food tips, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

I love all boats: large, small, old or new. Of course you won’t go deep sea fishing in the boat pictured. However, it is a rather interesting Cargo Ship – a dash of antiquity, a pinch of distinction and a splash of Caribbean flavor could make for some cool cruising, albeit not the most luxurious ride.

I do wonder what the cargo is though.

In other Caribbean news, the Caribbean Cruisine chef has an order to find out the recipe to the coffee-rubbed New York strip steak at Greg’s steakhouse in Bermuda. Apparently, it is New York Mayor Bloomberg’s favorite meal there. Coffee-rubbed steak. Sounds yummy. And it sounds like it could be my new favorite dish. What do you think?

I cruised by Fisher Island the other day and thought, “I wonder what it would be like to live there.” Imagine… an entire Island all to yourself. Well – there are 200 or so other families. But it’s so exclusive, so private, so quiet you would feel as if it’s all yours.

Fisher Island is a part of Miami Beach. But don’t think for a second Fisher Island is anything like Miami Beach. South Beach is a hot spot for Miami Visitors. But if you happen to be in the Fisher Island vicinity, don’t even think of just dropping by. Only confirmed guests are allowed to stop on the Island. Furthermore, the only way in or out of the Island is by ferry or boat. There is even a ferry for cars.

Or you can just do what I did – cruise by on a boat and hope to get a glimpse of Julia Roberts or Oprah Winfrey – just a few of the celebrities that own a home on Fisher Island.

Of course you can experience private Island living – in the Caribbean. Check out one or even all of the Top Caribbean Islands for 2010.

Meanwhile, summer is right around the corner so that means great weather for cruising. Cruising + good food = Cruisine…Our favorite past time.

I’ve been going through some of my favorite cookbooks to decide what recipes to prepare. If you have any favorite Caribbean dishes, please pass them along. Caribbean food is so much better when shared among friends.

I cruised by Fisher Island the other day and thought, “I wonder what it would be like to live there.” Imagine… an entire Island all to yourself. Well – there are 200 or so other families. But it’s so exclusive, so private, so quiet you would feel as if it’s all yours.

Fisher Island is a part of Miami Beach. But don’t think for a second Fisher Island is anything like Miami Beach. South Beach is a hot spot for Miami Visitors. But if you happen to be in the Fisher Island vicinity, don’t even think of just dropping by. Only confirmed guests are allowed to stop on the Island. Furthermore, the only way in or out of the Island is by ferry or boat. There is even a ferry for cars.

Or you can just do what I did – cruise by on a boat and hope to get a glimpse of Julia Roberts or Oprah Winfrey – just a few of the celebrities that own a home on Fisher Island.

Of course you can experience private Island living – in the Caribbean. Check out one or even all of the Top Caribbean Islands for 2010.

Meanwhile, summer is right around the corner so that means great weather for cruising. Cruising + good food = Cruisine…Our favorite past time.

I’ve been going through some of my favorite cookbooks to decide what recipes to prepare. If you have any favorite Caribbean dishes, please pass them along. Caribbean food is so much better when shared among friends.