I hope you enjoy and try to replicate one or two.

~ Camille Cares

Citrust Burst Salmon, Orecchiette with Citrus Cream Sauce

Trinidad Stew Chicken

Stew Red Beans (before the stew )

Sauteed Onions (pre-flank steak)

Flank Steak – TACO NIGHT!

Saluggi’s (1/2 Plain, 1/2 Peppadew Peppers and Sausage)

Turkey Meatballs, Marinara, Parppadelle

To receive the full recipes for any dish you see, please sign-up to the blog (top left of home page) and let me know what photo or dish you would love to try !

Here are some photos of the meal that I prepared and took to Artesia’s & Niky’s BBQ!

boneless chicken breasts in curry marinade

chicken stewing w green caribbean pimento pepper

(the same type that Bethenny of Bethenny Gets Married & RHONY ate on her honeymoon)

curry apples (granny smith)

curry potatoes

white rice

Last night’s dinner was very delicious, in fact I think I will have some of the left-over Salmon for lunch with salad.

Pan-Seared Salmon, Orecchiette with Shrimp in a Creamy Citrus Sauce

Happy New Year to all my CamilleCares readers and cooks/chefs!  We did it, we made it to 2010 without blowing up the world.  Thank God!

There are tons of excitement surrounding the new year and new decade.  Well, here at CamilleCares we too want to know about your new year resolutions and goals.

I would like to share my goal with you all today and also use this post to discuss something other than food or cooking on my blog. Don’t worry I will be right back with new photos and food in 2010! 

My goal for 2010 is to be closer to all members of my family.  If you think about it, a family spans a huge web.  When I was younger I always thought my family was smaller than most people I knew.  I wondered why and knew that there had to be a reason.  As all adults know, the older we get the easier it is to deal with surprises and newly reunited and re-acquainted family members.  To accomplish my goal, I have decided that I need to take steps to put together my family puzzle and fill in the blanks on who married who, who birthed who and who did or did not leave the country and for what reasons? 

The first step in this process is to travel back to my homeland of Trinidad and Tobago in 2010!  I must return to the source to get my questions answered.   I am so excited I could be on cloud nine!  This is huge for me, because I have not returned to my beautiful homeland in over twenty years. 

If you don’t know Trinidad is home of the largest, most traveled and sought out carnival celebrations in the world.  Brazil is great, but there’s nothing like the diversity and love of Trinidad’s people, culture and country!

But before we get on that plane for Trinidad, we must make a “Check-Off List” to ensure we have everything we need before we land in the country of Oil & Music

I will share a few secrets with you for your Check Off List:

1. You must book an airline ticket to Port of Spain, Trinidad Piarco International Airport.  At this point, tickets are easily priced above $1,000.00US, however if you are lucky enough to spot something cheaper, BUY IT!

2. If you have friends or family in Trinidad, this is the best time to plan a visit and stay with your family.  The best accommodations come from those with family and friends.  However, if you are like me and don’t have many options, then you will be couch surfing or paying the big bucks to stay at one of the varied hotels, bed n breakfasts, or private rental homes. 

3. The main attraction in Trinidad in February is Carnival (J’ouvert, Carnival Monday & Tuesday) and I bet you want to “play mas” or you have heard about this “mas”.  Well, look no further you can get involved, all you have to do is know the right people to get you a beautiful costume.  Costumes are worn by “masquerades” in the carnival band.  All bands are comprised of different sections, which are identified by their unique and elaborate costume designs.  There is fun for everyone, both men and women, so be creative and splurge for your chance to enjoy the biggest party on the planet that takes place in Trinidad.

4. Make-up, Hair, Accessories are the icing on the cake when it comes to carnival.  The more elaborate the better, since you will be dolled up in your costume and in need of extra flare that will keep all your masquerades wondering where did you get that make-up done or those beautiful bracelets and anklets? 

5. The one most overlooked item, but really is the key and secret to enjoying Trinidad is the smart footwear choice.  For most, the choice in footwear is what keeps you from loving or hating the carnival experience.  Others will say being inebriated takes away all discomfort.  But take it from a true Trinidadian.  Your feet are the most important thing on your body, besides your heart, and we already know you heart is in the right place, because you already booked your ticket to travel to one of the most beautiful places in the world.  But what about your feet? I strongly suggest traveling with your most comfy and broken in boots or sneakers for carnival.  The island is warm and has different terrain, but sneakers and sandals are common footwear for everyday walking. 

6. Exercise and Nutrition are the key components to getting your body looking its best for the carnival costume and for the best vacation you have ever taken.  I suggest cutting back on the amount of sweets, alcohol and fat intake paired with a simple workout before you make the trip, in an effort to combat the carnival fever intake

7. So you are in Trinidad a few days before carnival and you heard of all the major all-inclusive parties that take place all over the island, but are not sure where to find the tickets, I bet the first problem is you are asking about “parties”.  In Trinidad, all parties are referred to as Fetes, which is basically a short word for festival.  During the carnival season, there are hundreds of fetes taking place.  The festivities commence on Boxing Day(December 26th) and continue until carnival Sunday.  Some are inclusive(food and drink included), some have tickets, others have debit card like tickets, some you have to pay cash bar and the list goes on.  My advice on all fetes is that you know the location, the entry details and the hosts or promoters before purchasing a ticket.  Fetes during carnival are known to be pricey, so if you do choose to spend to be in the hottest carnival parties, make sure you get your money’s worth and as we say “Have a time!”

See you in the land of Oil and Music. 

~”I out on the road, I’m here with my friends, if you looking for me….

So folks, we are almost over with February 2008 and that means a lot has already taken place this year. First off it was the New Years Eve celebrations and then came MLK day, now we are heading straight into the spring season but first we must pay tribute to one of the biggest world-wide celebration of Pre-Lenten Carnivals. Hailing from the beautiful island pair of Trinidad & Tobago, (see to the right for map and other cultural goodies) I must share with you what I learned took place down in Trinidad this year.

To sum it quickly, each year a traditional and cultural event takes place in Trinidad and Tobago. It is referred to as carnival or the season of carnival. It is definitely a season, as the country takes on an identity that only is unveiled during one time of the year. Thousands of travelers come to this one location to share one experience of carnival day in day out. Festivals of food, music, drinks, color, people, beautiful beaches, and cool breezes. I recommend it as a destination for everyone at least once in their life. There are competitions and this year the results are as follows:

In Music News

Road March song of the year: Faye-Ann Lyons wins with “Get On“, followed by Blaxx’s “Breathless” and still hanging in there for third place is Machel Montano’s Blazing Trail.

In Mas News

Brian Mac Farlane’s “Earth Cries of despair, Wings of Hope” came in first place as Big Band of the Year, followed by, Trini Revellers and then Legacy. D’Midas one of my personal favorites did make one of the top 5 spots in Medium Band Of the Year and also in J’ouvert Band of the Year. Congratulations to all of this years winners. Look out for Carnival 2009, when CamilleCares takes it to Trinidad live in the flesh!

To learn more visit these sites:

http://www.trinijunglejuice.com/carnivalcalendar.html

http://www.igougo.com/travelcontent/journal.aspx?journalID=22054

http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/home/home.php?&gclid=CJL26Lae4JECFSEUiQodATqbWg

Wendy Williams

I am going to come right out and say that I do not support the Wendy Williams Experience. As it continues to elevate the career of a wanna-be. I am unsure as to what or who Wendy Williams wants to be, but I do know it is a conglomerate of things baby. She is by far a sight to see and definitely not to behold. The woman is fierce and Fierce in the F*^$(*@! kinda way. I ran into this woman at a Caribbean event this month and after I attempted to get her attention to ask her a question, I quickly realized that something was off. She wasn’t really real. She was very tall, yet very big, yet when I was speaking to her and felt her arm, it somehow felt like a transformer was under her horrible fur drape. Btw. when it rains, don’t wear fur it stinks!

I am sorry to all the Wendy Williams fans, but I am saying she has to go, cause she is a wanna-be __________ you feel free to fill in the blank.

Ciao.

CamilleCares is her realistic perspective of what it takes to be out here, day in day out taking care of business. As they** say, “Don’t talk about it, Be about it” and that’s what this is about, putting it out there just so you know Camillecares. Whether it’s a bargain on some cheap furniture, NBA tickets, the sea lion’s feeding time at the Brooklyn Wildlife Reservation Society, random statistics, a new, fun and easy to do recipe, health tips, at-home remedies, or the top of the list w.t.f’s for the day- you can find it here, because if no one else, Camille Cares!