Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Kalamay

Kalamay is a classic Filipino sticky rice dessert made by slowly cooking glutinous rice flour with coconut milk, coconut cream, and brown sugar, perfumed with pandan and set on banana leaves. Chewy, glossy, and rich, it’s often finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

🇵🇭 Philippines$

Poi Fa'i

Poi Fa'i is a traditional Polynesian (Samoan/Tongan) green banana pudding gently cooked, mashed, and enriched with coconut cream, a touch of raw sugar, vanilla, and lime, then served with toasted coconut—often nestled in banana leaves.

🇼🇸 Samoa$$

Oka Ika

Oka Ika is a classic Samoan raw fish salad featuring sashimi-grade tuna gently “cooked” in citrus, enriched with coconut cream, and folded with crisp vegetables. It’s refreshing, creamy, and bright, often served over lettuce with tender boiled taro on the side.

🇹🇰 Tokelau$$$

Ngali Nut Tuna

Seared tuna in a fragrant coconut–lime sauce, finished with crushed ngali nuts for buttery crunch and fresh herbs for brightness. A vibrant, island-inspired main that’s quick enough for weeknights yet special enough for guests.

🇸🇧 Solomon Islands$$

Tahitian Vanilla Tuna

Seared tuna steaks glazed with a silky Tahitian vanilla–coconut sauce brightened by lime, ginger, and soy, served over fragrant jasmine rice.

🇵🇫 French Polynesia$$$

Marshallese Toddy Taffy

A chewy, coconut-forward candy from the Marshall Islands made with coconut toddy and coconut sugar, simmered with coconut milk and butter, and brightened with vanilla and a touch of lime. Think deeply caramelized taffy with tropical aroma and a soft pull.

🇲🇭 Marshall Islands$$

Mkate wa Sinia

Mkate wa Sinia is a fragrant Swahili coconut rice cake—lightly sweet, cardamom-scented, and enriched with ghee—traditionally topped with sesame seeds and occasionally perfumed with saffron. Fermented with yeast for a tender, airy crumb, it’s perfect with afternoon tea or as a celebratory dessert.

🇹🇿 Tanzania$$

Cayman Heavy Cake

A rich, traditional Caymanian cassava dessert baked low and slow until dense, moist, and caramelized. Coconut, warming spices, raisins, and a touch of dark rum create deep island flavors in every slice.

🇰🇾 Cayman Islands$$

Spice Isle Sweetbread

A warmly spiced Caribbean coconut sweet bread studded with raisins—tender inside with a lightly crisp crust, perfect with tea or coffee.

🇬🇩 Grenada$

Te Bwabwai

Te Bwabwai is a traditional Kiribati taro pudding, steamed in banana leaves and enriched with coconut cream, toddy syrup, and grated coconut. Fragrant pandanus leaf and a pinch of salt balance the natural sweetness for a comforting island treat.

🇰🇮 Kiribati$$

I've been...

Kalamay

Poi Fa'i

Oka Ika

Ngali Nut Tuna

Tahitian Vanilla Tuna

Marshallese Toddy Taffy

Mkate wa Sinia

Cayman Heavy Cake

Spice Isle Sweetbread

Te Bwabwai

I've been...

Kalamay

Poi Fa'i

Oka Ika

Ngali Nut Tuna

Tahitian Vanilla Tuna

Marshallese Toddy Taffy

Mkate wa Sinia

Cayman Heavy Cake

Spice Isle Sweetbread

Te Bwabwai