| This dinner party idea is inspired by site I got to read | | | | Bello Hot Pepper Sauce is made locally and served |
| about Dominica. | | | | everywhere with almost everything. It contains Scotch |
| At another site I read that Dominica "is not your | | | | Bonnet Pepper, papaya, onion, vinegar, salt, and spices. |
| ordinary fun-in-the-sun kinda island. It's a mysterious, | | | | Inviting guests |
| romantic, natural island where you will encounter a | | | | Ask your guests to come dressed for the occasion - |
| French-Creole culture with the overtones of a British | | | | what would they be wearing down to a Caribbean |
| heritage". | | | | dinner by the beach? - shorts, flowing shirts, straw |
| Dominica is a small island located between the French | | | | hats? |
| islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern | | | | To set your scene |
| Caribbean and this is definitely on my list of countries | | | | Dominica is a beautiful Caribbean island - so this is a |
| to visit. | | | | great Summertime dinner party idea and perfect for |
| Whilst many of my friends know the country's name | | | | the outdoors. This will be a low key affair to be |
| and have a rough idea of its whereabouts -few know | | | | enjoyed by all. |
| about its history. A dinner party is the ideal way to | | | | Light your dining area with candles or hanging lanterns - |
| share my new found interest with friends by | | | | you want a laid back, relaxed feel to the night. |
| introducing them to its tasty food and maybe sharing a | | | | Place some exotic flowers as your centrepiece or |
| little about what I now know. Chances are it will get on | | | | have some lovely hand-painted candles on show. |
| friend's lists of placed to visit too. | | | | Alternatively, place a straw basket brimming with |
| A little about Dominica's food: | | | | exotic fruit somewhere in your room and nicely lit. |
| Dominica's food is very fresh and healthy and is often | | | | Maybe greet your guests with a cocktail - a Pina |
| cooked in a Creole style featuring a spicy sauce or | | | | Colada maybe with the popular coconut and pineapple |
| dish made especially with tomatoes, peppers, onion, | | | | flavors. |
| celery, and seasoning. Whilst most of the cooking on | | | | Have some music playing in the background - Calypso, |
| Dominica is island Creole, you can also enjoy | | | | Reggae or Smooth Jazz. |
| Continental and North American cuisines too. Fresh fish | | | | The meal |
| and seafood are found on every menu. | | | | People from Dominica prefer light and spicy fish or |
| Dominica's cuisine is simple and that's a good start. It | | | | seafood dishes served with plenty of vegetables and |
| consists of basic fried chicken, seafood dishes and | | | | greens. The visual attractiveness, like the balance |
| Creole cuisine like goat columbo and callaloo soup (a | | | | between colors and proportion is important. |
| creamed spinach type soup). Roti, the curry-filled flat | | | | A typical meal eaten by a Dominican family could |
| bread is a Caribbean staple. | | | | consist of Black Bean Soup, Coconut Grouper and |
| The cuisine is based on root vegetables like yams or | | | | Corn Pudding or you could cook one of the many |
| turnip, spinach, watercress, chicken, goat and seafood | | | | Creole recipes available on the internet. |
| (fish, crabs, crayfish and octopus). Meat is one of the | | | | After your meal, you could also serve a fresh platter |
| main elements of most Dominican dishes and cured | | | | of exotic tropical fruits like mango slices, banana, |
| and smoked hams are often used in their cooking. | | | | guavas, tangerines, oranges, pineapple and papaya. |
| The food is often flavored with the earthy aroma of | | | | During the evening, you could even educate your |
| curry and coconut milk. Fresh herbs like parsley, celery, | | | | friends on Dominica which celebrates its 30 year of |
| chive, cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg and cloves are also | | | | independence. |
| commonly used in the cooking. | | | | |