Indiana University Press blog

Book review: Paradise Kitchen

"[Y]ou can expect some wonderful recipes drawing on both Anguillian and wider Caribbean influences, but also some great insights on the history and culture of the region. This is much more than just a fine cookbook." —Caribbean Edge Magazine

Author event: Daniel Orr at Bloomingdale's in NYC

Want to learn to cook like Chef Daniel Orr? Join him at Bloomingdale's on 59th St. in New York City July 11 at 4:00 p.m. as he demonstrates how to cook some of the delicious recipes from his latest cookbook, Paradise Kitchen. For more information, visit Bloomingdale's event calendar.

Book review: Paradise Kitchen

"If you’ve been to the Caribbean, Paradise Kitchen, with its intriguing yet simple recipes, and gorgeous photos will take you back to that place of pristine beaches and azure waters. If you haven’t been, you’re going to want to visit after reading this book. For all of us, Paradise Kitchen can be an inspiring resource when dealing with cooking in the heat. " —The Herald-Times

FARM to host Paradise Kitchen tasting dinner

FARMbloomington will host a "Paradise Kitchen Tasting Dinner" featuring recipes from chef and owner Daniel Orr's new cookbook. The event takes place June 16 at 6:30 p.m. and costs $45 per person. Space is limited, so call 812-323-0002 to make a reservation today.

Celebrate Anguilla Day Paradise Kitchen-style

"Although this paradise owes greatly to the natural surroundings, the people are really what make it. Anguilla and Anguillians are unique. Each new encounter is memorable, from sharing hearty laughs with the fishermen dropping off their colorful morning catch of slippery potfish and fluttering spiny lobsters, to the gentle smile one gets from a local girl dressed in her school colors, waiting under the shade of a flamboyant tree. This place is unique and less spoiled." —Daniel Orr, from the Introduction to Paradise Kitchen

Today is Anguilla Day and we're celebrating this occasion by offering a recipe from Daniel Orr's latest cookbook, Paradise Kitchen. Chef Orr spent two years in Anguilla working at the CuisinArt Resort & Spa where he developed a deep appreciation for the the people of the island, and of course, their delicious food! The featured recipe is for johnnycakes, which Chef Orr calls "the local quickbread of Anguilla." Enjoy!

Johnnycakes with Sour Cream and Corn

Sunday brunch cooking with Paradise Kitchen

Last Friday, I blogged about a banana waffle recipe from Paradise Kitchen that I thought would make a delightful Mother's Day's brunch. I decided to follow my own advice and make the recipe myself. (And I'm not ashamed to admit that I ate three of these waffles.)

The waffles were very easy to prepare, especially because I had most of the ingredients on hand already. My only problem occurred when I went to make the mango butter to accompany the waffles. I should have watched this video on how to cut a mango first. I didn't realize there was a very large seed right in the middle until I cut into it. However, I hacked around and finally cut the mango apart. And thanks to a flower-shaped ice cube mold, I got some nicely sculpted mango butter!

In addition to the mango mishap, my other mistake was buying papaya instead of passion fruit to put in the syrup. Oops! Well, they both start with "P" and are tropical fruits, so close enough, right? Chef Orr encourages experimentation with his recipes, so I'll chalk it up to that. It certainly didn't detract from the delicious flavor!

The most important thing is that the four-year-old food critic in our house loved the waffles and insisted that we should feed them to her bear.

I highly recommend this recipe. You can view or download a copy of it here. Enjoy!

Mother's Day recipe from Paradise Kitchen

Looking for a Mother's Day gift? The surest way to your mom's heart is through her stomach! But you can save yourself the headache of battling the Mother's Day crowds at a restaurant by creating a culinary delight in your own kitchen. Whip up a batch of these delicious Banana Waffles from Daniel Orr's latest cookbook, Paradise Kitchen, and your mom will be wowed! We can't guarantee that they'll look as pretty as Daniel's picture, but they'll taste just as yummy. :)

Banana Waffles with Passion Fruit Rum Syrup and Mango Butter
(Download PDF of recipe)

For 4–6 friends
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. instant oatmeal
3 T brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1-1/4 c. buttermilk
2 bananas (1 very ripe, 1 medium-ripe), diced
1 T vegetable oil
2 T butter, melted additional butter as needed for cooking
2 fresh passion fruits, seeds and pulp
syrup of your choice

In blender, combine flours, sugar, and baking powder. Add egg, milk, ripe banana, oil, and butter; process until mixed. Fold in remaining banana.

Heat waffle iron until hot; add butter to lightly grease. Spoon batter evenly into waffle iron and cook until golden brown. Keep on a platter in the oven covered lightly with aluminum foil until all waffles are ready.

Serve with Mango Butter (see recipe below) and your favorite syrup. I like warm maple syrup with a little rum, butter, and fresh passion fruit stirred in.

Mango Butter

1 lb. butter (room temperature)
1 c. mango pulp
2 T sugar
1 pinch salt
juice of one lemon

Puree mango, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a blender. Add butter and pulse to combine. With a piping bag, pipe butter in curls on parchment paper and freeze until hard. Remove to container and seal. Store in freezer or refrigerator until needed.

Celebrate the launch of Daniel Orr's new cookbook at Zaharakos

Attention all foodies! In honor of Chef Daniel Orr's latest cookbook, Paradise Kitchen, Porch Light Indiana will host a launch party at Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor in the Chef's hometown of Columbus, Indiana. The event takes place Sunday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. and features select recipes from the cookbook, wine and beer tasting, and live music from Tom Roznowski and the Living Daylights. Chef Orr will also sign copies of Paradise Kitchen, which will be available for purchase at the event.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at FARMbloomington, The Bicycle Station, Zaharakos, Viewpoint Books, or at the door. For more information, visit the Porch Light Indiana website.  

Book review: Trinidad Carnival

"Overall this book is a scholarly text which provides interesting and thought provoking reading. ... [I]t would be valuable for higher level students at university and researchers who have a keen interest in transnational festivals and cultural tourism." —Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events

Book review: The Other Black Bostonians

"The Other Black Bostonians adds a new perspective to both the scholarly understanding of the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora in the United States and of Boston’s Black community. ...Johnson’s tidy little volume should be of interest to many readers."—Historical Journal of Massachusetts