Best Caribbean cookbooks for a taste of West Indian cooking

Having spent many years doing my best to avoid anything spicier than Doritos’ Chilli Heatwave, I was apprehensive when it came to Caribbean week.

Known as a cuisine of bold flavours, hot spices and the scorching scotch bonnet (that measures anywhere between 100,000 - 350,000 in Scoville Heat Units), I wasn’t sure I could handle the heat in some of the recipes we tried out.

However, I ended up pleasantly surprised. Of course, the recipes had a kick (the spicy goat curry was somewhat challenging without a gallon of water nearby), but the sweetness from the teaspoons of sugar, the creaminess from the fresh coconut and the smoky marinades perfectly complemented the fiery flavours that were also present.

I was also struck with how varied Caribbean cuisine is. Looking beyond jerk chicken, you’ll find an array of dishes that’ll endlessly tickle your tastebuds. Think perfectly salted fish soup - a crowd pleaser that transports you to the shores of the Caribbean sea or spiced rum carrot cake for dessert that conjures up the expected taste but with a whole lot more flavour and kick - you won’t ever go back to a plain Victoria sponge after that.

If you’re needing further inspiration for tasty and simple dishes, check out the brunch menu at Antillean whose carefully curated combination of fruits and vegetables have resulted in some of the most amazing salads - so good that you won’t even realise you’re eating salad!

When it comes to cooking Caribbean food at home, we found that with a few trips to the supermarket - and a rummage around the world food aisle - you’ll find all the necessary ingredients to help you cook these dishes from the comfort of your own home.

So, if you’re after hearty weeknight meals, crowd pleasing dishes or restaurant style delicacies then read on to find the best cookbook for you.

West Winds: Recipes, History and Tales from Jamaica

Immerse yourself in the history of Jamaica as this cookbook is a beautiful tapestry of personal anecdotes, authentically shot pictures and of course, delicious recipes.

The sections of the book are well thought through and the selection of vegan dishes have some pretty amazing creations including Jackfruit Stew and Peppered Tofu. If you’re new to Jamaican cooking, check out the spice blend concoctions at the back which will help you create the perfect marinade and meat rubs every time.

We absolutely loved the part on juices and smoothies which features some of the most creative recipes we’ve seen. The watermelon, beetroot and ginger juice is the ideal morning boost.

Buy now £17.39, Amazon

Natural Flava: Quick & Easy Plant-Based Caribbean Recipes

Inspired by their Caribbean heritage, Craig and Shaun McAnuff are back with another flavour packed cookbook that showcases recipes that are all plant-based. Celebrating the Jamaican Rastafarian Ital diet, the recipes use traditional ingredients such as plantain and coconut to make modern dishes such as Fried Cauliflower Burger, Jerk Tofu and Red Pea Soup.

If you’re after a crowd pleasing meal which will satisfy a range of dietary requirements then making the Plantain Hummus and Jerk Mushroom wraps are an absolute must. Alongside bold spices and exotic vegetables comes some of the most colourful pictures we’ve seen and this cookbook is sure to brighten up your kitchen as well as your tastebuds.

Buy now £14.57, Amazon

Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen

Much loved TV chef Ainsley Harriott (was there better daytime TV than Ready Steady Cook?) takes the reader on a Caribbean adventure in his latest cookbook which celebrates feel-good home cooking.

With over 80 recipes there is guaranteed to be something for everyone, we particularly liked the dessert section that features an array of sweet treats such as White Chocolate, Rum and Raspberry Crème Brulee. Wash it all down with one of the refreshing cocktails - we enjoyed one too many of the Lazy Man’s Long Island Iced Tea.

Try out the Grilled Chicken Roti Wrap with Mango Dressing for the perfect Indo-Caribbean fusion or if you’re looking for a Sunday lunch with a twist try out the Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Green Herb Yoghurt - you won’t regret it.

Buy now £15.43, Amazon

Levi Roots' Reggae reggae cookbook

Famed for his delicious Reggae Reggae Sauce, the Dragon’s Den entrepreneur brings together his soul, charm and of course culinary knowledge to create an exciting and adventurous cookbook. Whilst the food may not be high-end restaurant style, it’s authentic home cooking and features iconic recipes such as Rice and Peas, Jerk Chicken and Goat Curry.

This cookbook is great for chefs dipping their toe into the cuisine as the introductory pages provide a helpful summary of key ingredients and their uses. It also features wonderful tales of Jamaican folk stories, Notting Hill Carnival anecdotes and tributes to renowned Jamaican singer, Bob Marley.

Buy now £4.99, Oxfam

My Modern Caribbean Kitchen

Add a burst of freshness and flavour to your home cooking with one of these 70 recipes that showcase traditional Caribbean dishes with a contemporary modern flare. Alongside colourful recipes come some of the most picturesque scenes of the Caribbean - the photos of crystal clear blue water and sleepy boats docked are enough to make you buy this book.

Start the day right with one of the ‘Fully-Loaded’ breakfasts which include the likes of simple Banana and Pumpkin Fritters with your choice of fresh fruit toppings or Johnnycakes with Cheese - a quick meal that will satisfy your cheese and bread cravings. Try any of the chicken recipes in this book that include tender falling-off-the-bone stew or one-pot wonder Chicken and Rice.

Buy now £18.75, Amazon

Original Flava: Caribbean Recipes from Home

This recipe book is all about EAT - that’s Easy, Accessible and Tasty. Having tried a number of dishes from Original Flava, we can confirm that all three of these statements are true, but there ought to be a fourth addition too - joy.  All of these dishes are entirely joyful from the cooking stage to the eating and having tried out recipes such as Honey Roasted Jerk-Spiced Salmon and Ackee ‘n’ Saltfish we can confirm that these sharing dishes warmed the hearts and stomachs of those eating them.

As well as endlessly tempting dishes, this cookbook is steeped in culture and truly immerses the reader in the history of the region’s food and how relatively unknown ingredients such as Banana Blossom can become part of your everyday cooking.

Buy now £15.59, Amazon

Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook

If you’re after a cookbook that details the history of Jamaica and explores the origins of its food, then this is the book for you. Featuring a mixture of essays and recipes, this cookbook documents stories from indigenous Jamaicans, highlights British and Spanish colonial influences on food and shares inspiring cooking techniques of enslaved men and women who came from West and Central Africa.

All of this culminates in a cookbook that presents the rich tapestry of Jamaican life, with food at the heart of it. Many recipes presented are perfect for summer gatherings or mass cooking, so fire up the bbq and try out Ginger Beer Prawns, Sticky Rum and Tamarind Wings and Oxtail Nuggets with Pepper Sauce Mayo.

Buy now £21.32, Amazon