Swaddled fruit….baby shower (Taken with Instagram)

Afternoon delight (Taken with Instagram)

New love (Taken with Instagram)

For immediate relief of chocolate cravings, lovesickness, exam pressure, mild anxiety & extreme hunger (Taken with Instagram at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store)

The table is set #supperwithSTRANGERS The Secret Cocina (Taken with Instagram)

Underground Supper Club (Taken with Instagram)

Our soft launch is this Saturday! and I’m freaking out, doubling checking, making 150 lists, running around to every store, and praying that I don’t forget anything.

We’ve collaborated with a friend to host their birthday dinner and this special occassion is serving as our introduction to the world. We’re serving a three course menu to 70 guests (don’t worry, the supperclub will only be for 20 guests). It’s a little understated from what you can expect for the supper club, but a palatable intro to say the least.

If you missed the first post about our latest adventure, you can find it here, Supper with Strangers. We’ll host our next dinner in August. The table is open to 20 guests and you can sign up to receive an invite at The Secret Cocina.

Our Menu for Saturday, July 14, 2012

breads  caramelized onion cornbread, artisan breads, guava thyme butter

1st Course                                                                                                               curry dumpling soup coconut milk, crab meat, corn cream, chilli oil

2nd Course                                                                                                               baby organic greens pickled green mango, goat cheese, candied pumpkin pepitas, papaya vinaigrette

3rd Course                                                                                                               tamarind chicken calypso fried rice, ginger haricot verts

Now doesn’t that sound good? What do you think about our menu?

Candied Spiced pepitas…the husband loves it so I know it’s good #cookingforREAL #supperwithSTRANGERS (Taken with Instagram)

Tamarind for my Tamarind chicken. #cookingforREAL (Taken with Instagram)

Food shouldn’t be like crack, but this is…Smart Foods Buffalo Cheddar popcorn (Taken with Instagram)

The 4th of July holiday is right around the corner, stuck right dab in the middle of the week. It is a paid holiday, not much to complain about that but if you don’t feel like pulling out the pots and pans on Wednesday, you don’t have to! Fire up your grill and I’ll bring the sides.

I’ve compiled a list of our most popular “Side Liners”. Take your pick and e-mail your order to thecaribbeanpantry@gmail.com no later than 12pm on July 3. Payment accepted via PayPal.

THE CLASSICS

Creamy Baked Macaroni & Cheese~Elbow macaroni in four cheese sauce topped with sharp cheddar cheese. We make it, you bake it! $28 1/2 pan or $45 full pan

Southern Style Potato Salad ~A creamy mix of diced russet potatoes with mayonaise, mustard, sweet relish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and green peppers and a pinch of sugar. $22 1/2 pan or $35 full pan

Pasta Salad ~Rotini pasta with home-made Italian dressing, black olives, red onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese. $22 1/2 pan or $35 full pan

Deviled Eggs~Hard boiled eggs piped with a creamy yolk filling and topped with chives. $25/36 eggs

Baked Beans~Small white beans in a sweet and tangy bbq tomato sauce with onions, sweet peppers, pineapples, and turkey italian sausage. $26 1/2 pan or $45 full pan

Macaroni Salad~Elbow macaroni in a creamy blend of herbs, tuna, onions, and hard boiled eggs $25 1/2 pan or $40 full pan

Cuke, Tomato & Red Onion Salad~Farm Fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions drizzled with vinegar, sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper. $22 1/2 pan or $35 full pan

Toss Salad~Fresh romaine and iceberg lettuce with roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, & croutons $22 1/2 pan or $35 full pan

 OUR SIGNATURE SIDES

Trini Macaroni Pie~A Caribbean twist on a southern classic with sharp cheddar cheese, scotch bonnet peppers, green onions, and spices baked to a golden perfection. $30 1/2 pan or $50 full pan

Grilled Corn & Tomato Salad~Mesquite grilled corn tossed in a creamy corn dressing with basil, roma tomatoes, & red onions. $25 1/2 pan or $40 full pan

Yellow Rice and Peas~Puerto-Rican style rice peas with sofrito, sazon, and green pigeon peas $22 1/2 pan or $30 full pan

Sweet Potato Salad~Roasted sweet potatoes tossed in a creamy orange dressing with fresh pineapple, sliced almonds, and plump raisins. $25 1/2 pan or $40 full pan

Asian Slaw~Shredded cabbage in an Asian inspired sauce of rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, & topped with crispy ramen noodles, and peanuts. $22 1/2 pan or $32 full pan

Black Bean & Corn Salad~Fresh black beans, grilled corn & avocado mixed in a cilantro-lime dressing $26 1/2 pan or $40 full pan

Calypso Fried Rice~Jerk seasoned coconut rice, stir-fried with black beans, onions, fresh pineapple, mangoes, coconut, and topped with peanuts & green onions. $30 1/2 pan or $42 full pan

Baby Organic Green Salad~Salad mix tossed with grilled peaches, candied pecans, goat cheese, and a creamy orange-shallot vinaigrette. $32 1/2 pan or $45 full pan

Jamaican Rice and Peas~Coconut seasoned rice with red kidney beans, scotch bonnet peppers, and thyme $22 1/2 pan or $30 full pan

  E-mail orders to thecaribbeanpantry@gmail.com

Curious minds want to know. Join to find out (Taken with Instagram)

Photo Credit:The Tasting Table

The Secret Cocina

You’ve never eaten in a restaurant like The Secret Cocina.                                The Secret Cocina is not a restaurant.

It’s my secret, nomadic kitchen with an open table for 20 guests. An underground supper club reserved for the foodie who’s bored with the typical dining experience. You could enjoy dinner with friends or explore supper with strangers in a secret, sometimes obscure location. Every function is a singular event made unique by its guests, menu, location, and my creative spawns.

The Tasting Table declared 2012 the Year of the Dinner Party and I vowed to be apart of this movement. I didn’t know, how or where, but I had faith in God that he would allow me to pursue my dreams. The Secret Cocina was birthed.

Each month I’ll extend an invitation, share the menu, and if you’re interest is peaked, you can RSVP and you will receive a link to our suggested donation site. The location will be revealed a day before.

Shhh! It’s a secret and I promise to share, if you promise not to tell.                Your Culinary Adventure Awaits……

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You don’t know until you go! Don’t be scared (Taken with Instagram)

My latest read (Taken with Instagram)