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Home » Adventure » Your Culinary Guide to Authentic Aruban Cuisine

Your Culinary Guide to Authentic Aruban Cuisine

Published on April 14, 2018 by Elizabeth 57 Comments
Last Updated on July 10, 2018

On this tiny Caribbean Island measuring only 20 miles long and 6 miles at its widest point, you’ll find over 250 different restaurants to choose from – Aruba is a foodie’s paradise! In collaboration with Aruba Tourism.

What to Eat & Drink in Aruba

Aruba currently boasts 96 different registered nationalities living on the island, resulting in a very diverse culinary scene. This global influence results in a food scene rivalling some of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Aruban cuisine has been influenced by Amerindians, merchants, pirates, Dutch and Spanish colonial powers, African slaves and Oriental and Asian settlers, and these influences can be found on nearly every menu.

Last October I was invited on a culinary press trip to the island by Aruba Tourism. I spent five nights at the Renaissance Hotel and I fell in love with the island. Aruba will always hold a special place in my heart; the sun, the food, the sand, the iguanas and the frigate birds – it’s a magical place and the food is extraordinary.

Table of Contents

  • SOME COMMON INGREDIENTS IN ARUBAN CUISINE
  • CARIBBEAN SEAFOOD FEATURES PROMINENTLY IN ARUBAN CUISINE
  • ARUBAN CUISINE IS A CHEESE-LOVERS’ HEAVEN
  • CORNMEAL IS A STAPLE OF ARUBAN CUISINE
  • ARUBAN COCKTAILS, BEER & LIQUOR
  • OTHER FOODIE FINDS IN ARUBA
  • EAT LOCAL IN OCTOBER
  • MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING ARUBA

SOME COMMON INGREDIENTS IN ARUBAN CUISINE

Arubans love their deep-fried food, I was told by our local guide, Paula, and you will see this reflected in many of the dishes mentioned in this post. Their ancestors relied on soups and stews as they were inexpensive to make and utilised local ingredients. Beef, chicken, pork and seafood are also very popular ingredients in Aruba cuisine.

Although there are over 200 registered small farmers in Aruba, 85% of their produce is imported. Mushroom production is very popular on the island, and dragonfruit is planted year round. There is also a thriving aloe market.

Coconut Shrimp at the West Deck Aruba Dining

CARIBBEAN SEAFOOD FEATURES PROMINENTLY IN ARUBAN CUISINE

The Caribbean Sea features a range of seafood vastly different than what we are used to here in the UK – while in Aruba I tried mahi mahi, Northern red snapper, conch, jumbo shrimp, lobster, crab and grouper. Pictured above, island coconut shrimp in The West Deck, dipped in locally brewed Balashi Beer and coconut these incredibly moreish crispy shrimps are accompanied by homemade mango chutney. It was here I also tried a delightful ceviche (pictured below) made with marinated red snapper and shrimp.

The West Deck is a delightful coastal outdoor restaurant just a ten-minute walk from the shopping district in Oranjestad. It is set on a large wooden deck over the white sandy beach of Governors Bay, right by the water’s edge. You can watch the pelicans diving into the sea for their dinner as you dine.

Ceviche at The West Deck, Aruba

It’s important to note that fish is scarce in Aruba due to overfishing, so much of it is imported from other areas. Lobster is protected, but red snapper and mahi mahi are caught fresh daily.

At White Modern Cuisine, I tried conch croquettes (pictured below), an Aruban style croquette served with Creole sauce. It was my first time ever trying conch, and I was really impressed with its delicate flavour which paired perfectly with the spicy tomato sauce.

Conch Croquettes with Creole Sauce at White Modern Cuisine, Aruba

The food at White Modern Cuisine is a marriage of flavour and high-quality products brought to you in their purest form. They aim to achieve peace and balance in every dish; like a symphony on your plate. The chefs try to use as much local produce as they can in their dishes, from locally grown mushrooms to wildflowers and herbs harvested by local forager Frankie Kelly.

Pictured below, their Italian-trained half Chinese, half Aruban chef serves up his pan-fried mahi mahi, served with causa potato, pickled red onions, sweet glazed carrots, glazed zucchini and yellow squash, kalamata olives emulsion, avocado crème and Creole sauce. The chef likes to combine his two cultures into his unique, mouth-watering dishes, and this seasonal salad is one of the most popular dishes served in the restaurant during the summer months.

White Modern Cuisine, Aruba
White Modern Cuisine, Aruba

Other seafood I tried while in Aruba included a starter of avocado crab salad and a main dish of red snapper with fried plantains and polenta at the L.G. Smith’s steak & chop house – part of the Renaissance Hotel chain. This was the first time I’d tried both red snapper and fresh plantains (well, fried), which I was really excited about, and I was not disappointed. This restaurant had a great atmosphere with friendly, helpful staff (and a never-emptying wine glass!). Comfortable seating with spacious tables made for a very cosy evening meal.

Hadicurari is a beachfront restaurant at the Fisherman’s Wharf at Palm Beach. It was there I enjoyed another seafood dish: mahi mahi with shrimp, plantains and truffled potatoes (pictured below.) This seafood restaurant features an extensive selection of seafood including lobster, tuna, grouper, calamari, sea bass and the catch of the day, delivered fresh from the Caribbean Sea.

At Windows on Aruba overlooking the Divi golf resort, I tried their lobster ravioli with a crabmeat sauce, Parmesan cheese and basil oil (pictured below) – it was incredible! Voted #1 in Aruba for brunch (you have to try their eggs benedict with smoked salmon and tobiko caviar!), you pay one price for as many dishes as you want and unlimited mimosas. Glorious views and live music accompany; it’s an experience you must try while in Aruba.

The Driftwood Restaurant is another very popular seafood restaurant, and it was here I tried fish soup followed by pan-fried fish “Aruban style” served with a mild creole sauce. This restaurant offers you the opportunity to go deep sea fishing during the day, and then they’ll cook your catch for you for your evening dinner!

At the Barefoot Restaurant, I had poached grouper fillet with salmon and asparagus, beautifully presented in a style I’d never encountered before, as a sliced roll with the asparagus in the centre. One of the best things about this restaurant, besides the great food, is the fact that’s it is located right on the beach so you can take your shoes off and bury your toes in the sand while you eat. Elegant dining in flipflops, they say.

Lobster Ravioli at Windows on Aruba

ARUBAN CUISINE IS A CHEESE-LOVERS’ HEAVEN

Brought over by Dutch settlers, the love of good cheese never left the island. Pictured below, deep fried cheese balls made with Dutch gouda – a traditional Aruban snack served at every party. These were served at White Modern Cuisine with the addition of truffle and were incredibly moreish.

White Modern Cuisine

Keshi Yena is something else you have to try at least once while in Aruba – slow cooked or shredded meat smothered in cheese and served with a tomato sauce. It’s a cheese lovers’ dream!

There are as many different variations of Keshi Yena as there are households and restaurants in Aruba. I had the pleasure of trying several different varieties and my favourite was the one served at the Papiamento Restaurant as a starter. It was made with stewed beef and chicken, local spices, cashews, sultanas and olives in a spicy creole sauce smothered with shredded Gouda in an individual-sized cast iron pan.

Carefully picking apart the dish as I ate so I could identify all the ingredients I vowed I would try and recreate it when I returned home to Shetland. It was just so delicious! You can find my recipe here.

I tried another version at The West Deck, pictured below, made with shredded chicken and served with a spicy creole sauce.

Keeshi Yena, The West Deck, Aruba

CORNMEAL IS A STAPLE OF ARUBAN CUISINE

At the Papiamento Restaurant, I also tried cabrito stoba, stewed goat meat with fresh pumpkin. This was served with funchi (fried polenta, a popular side dish in Aruban cuisine) and banana hasa (fried plantain).

Pan bati, a beaten cornmeal flatbread popular among the locals, is served at nearly every meal. During a historical walking tour of  Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, we visited the Coco Plum Restaurant for a cookery demonstration.

The words ‘pan bati’ literally translates as ‘smashed’ or ‘beaten’ bread because you beat the batter well. You then cook it like you do pancakes. The batter is prepared with plain flour and cornmeal with baking powder as the raising agent. It is seasoned with a little salt and some sugar, to taste. Unlike pancakes, there is no fat or egg added. I loved it that much that I now make it at home for my family, on occasion. You can find my recipe here.

Pan Bati - Aruban beaten bread recipe

A visit to Aruba is not complete without trying the street food. Mainstreet kiosks dish up their delicious pastechi – the number one snack in Aruba. These deep-fried pastry snacks are filled with cheese or meat, and they’re absolutely wonderful if a hot pastry filled with gooey cheese is your thing (pictured below).

Pastechi in Aruba - the #1 street food!

ARUBAN COCKTAILS, BEER & LIQUOR

Aruba Ariba is a signature cocktail from the island, made with vodka, white rum, crème de banane and fruit punch, topped off with more rum. Each restaurant has its own version, and I enjoyed a rather delicious one at the Driftwood Restaurant.

The Papagayo Bar & Grill on Renaissance Island creates a rather impressive range of cocktails served in sea shells (pictured below) – perfect for sipping while you sunbathe on the beach. Don’t forget to visit the flamingos while you’re there!

Papagayo Cockails Aruba

I also enjoyed Frankie’s Abaco Cocktail, a signature cocktail created by local forager Frankie Kelly made with avocado, rum and wild basil (pictured below, right). You can find the recipe here.

They brew their own beer on Aruba too. Brewed from imported Scottish malt and hops shipped in from Germany, Balashi is a typical Caribbean beer – a light, thirst-quenching pilsener with a nice golden colour, not a lot of foam and a flavour that the brewer describes as a “soft bitterness.”

One of the not-so-secret secrets to their excellent beer is the fact they use local water – from the sea! The water filtration plant, one of the best in the world, uses Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Systems to desalinate the seawater to meet the high demand of fresh tap water for the whole island. This desalination process ingeniously utilises coral rock as a filter.

Balashi Beer, Aruba
Frankie's Abaco Cocktail, Aruba

Caribbean Coffee Cocktail Aruba

I can also highly recommend that you try the Caribbean Coffee – hot coffee, rum and amaretto topped with whipped cream. The one pictured above was served at the Hadicurari Restaurant.

Aruba also produces its own version of Ponche Crema, a Venezuelan and Trinidadian cream-based liqueur made from fresh eggs, powdered milk, natural flavours and rum. It is not unlike eggnog, and I first tried it in a cream-based layer cake dessert at L.G. Smith’s, and again served as a sauce for pan bollo, a popular bread pudding dessert. You can pick up a bottle inexpensively in the local supermarkets if you want to take some home with you.

Pineapple Upsidedown Cake at White Modern Cuisine

Other desserts I enjoyed in Aruba included this gorgeous pineapple upsidedown cake at White Modern Cuisine, pictured above. Served with a pineapple custard, tart cherry gel, pineapple vinaigrette and powdered butter and a crispy cherry meringue, it really was the poshest pineapple upsidedown cake I’ve ever tasted.

Desserts in Aruba tend to be quite traditional classics, like bread pudding and the aforementioned pineapple upsidedown cake, but served cold. Below, left, bread pudding at Windows on Aruba, and right, my first ever taste of key lime pie, served at The West Deck.

Bread Pudding, Aruba
Key Lime Pie, Aruba

OTHER FOODIE FINDS IN ARUBA

Sea Grapes: There’s a longstanding myth that these wild fruits are poisonous, but the truth is that sea grapes (pictured below) are perfectly edible and absolutely delicious. The berries turn dark burgundy when ripe between August and October, and although they contain mostly seed with very little fruit they taste wonderful – like the best tropical fruit juice you’ve ever tried. These fruits are not cultivated commercially as a foodstuff on the island, although I heard of one fellow who makes wine with them.

Sea Grapes

Taste of Belgium: located at the Palm Beach Plaza, they offer a wide range of Belgium dishes and beers. They do a rather fantastic breakfast and also offer wine and beer tastings.

Pica di Papaya: local hot pepper sauce, a condiment available on nearly every dining table.

Kukoo Kunuku Wine Tour – rated #1 in Aruba for one of the most whacky tours, you hop on a brightly painted bus for an evening of food and wine tastings across the island. This was singularly one of the craziest things I have ever participated in, music blasts out of the open windows on the bus, and you shake the maracas as you’re driven through Aruba. You’ll visit four top restaurants for a tasting of their signature dishes and perfectly paired wines. it’s definitely worth experiencing, this!

Kukoo Kunuku Wine Tour Aruba

Monteforte Luxury Lagoon Cruise: Sun-bathe on the deck of the Monteforte III while sipping unlimited hand-crafted cocktails as you sail up the coast to a secret lagoon. There, you can go snorkelling on the coral reef, swing on the rope swing or go kayaking. Meanwhile, the onboard chef (pictured below) prepares a delightful grilled lunch. The entire experience is accompanied by non-stop Caribbean music to keep you in the mood. Best. Day. Out. Ever!

Monteforte Luxury Cruise BBQ Aruba

EAT LOCAL IN OCTOBER

During the month of October, you can dine in participating restaurants at a fraction of the cost. In 2017, 72 restaurants were participating in the Eat Local scheme. You can get a two-course meal for just $15, or a three-course meal for either $30 or $40, not including drinks.

Each participating restaurant must feature at least one local dish on their menu, and restaurants are getting very creative with incorporating local ingredients into their dishes. They’re encouraged to form bonds with local farmers to source the ingredients.

The Eat Local program originally ran for just two weeks, but it’s become so popular that they’ve extended it to four.

Eat Local Aruba Restaurant Week

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING ARUBA

The Aruba Gastronomic Association provides unique Aruba Dine Around Plans for foodie visitors, as well as gift certificates which are valid at all member restaurants. Save money by buying a dining package for your visit – click here for more information!

They don’t do all-inclusive exclusive hotels and resorts on Aruba, I was told by a local chef. Hotels are permitted to offer up to 40% all-inclusive options, but the remaining 60% has to be sourced from outside the hotel – meaning when you visit the island you can truly have an authentic Aruban experience.

Aruba is an incredibly safe holiday destination; they have a very low crime rate. In fact, one of the locals I spoke to says that they still sleep with the doors unlocked. Crime just isn’t a problem there. Their biggest tourist market used to be from Venezuela, 18 miles south of the island, but when the economy there fell it hit Aruba hard. They’re now trying to get the word out to countries who perhaps don’t know about Aruba (other than in that infamous Beach Boys song!).

As an aside, anyone else catch the mention of Aruba in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie? There’s treasure buried in between two palm trees…

It’s really easy to get to Aruba from Europe, simply fly to Schipol Airport in Amsterdam and you can hop on a direct 10-hour flight with KLM straight to the One Happy Island. The airport in Aruba is just an 8-minute drive from the hotels and restaurants.

For more information on planning your holiday visit Aruba.com.

Culinary Guide to Aruban Cuisine

With thanks to Aruba Tourism for the incredible experience; Aruba will always hold a special place in my heart. This is not a paid post although Elizabeth was a guest of Aruba Tourism. With thanks to the Renaissance Hotel for the accommodation, and to all the restaurants, cafes and tours for the extraordinary Aruban cuisine adventures. 

Filed Under: Adventure, Culinary Tourism, The Caribbean

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Comments

  1. ken Miller says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    I never heard about aruban cuisine. But it looks incredible!

    Reply
  2. Kavita Favelle says

    September 5, 2018 at 8:31 am

    Had no idea Aruba was such an international place in terms of its residents, and how much that influences the food. Looks like an amazing destination for foodloving travellers like me!

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth Boyle says

    August 2, 2018 at 5:49 am

    Definitely want to try the local fair and the Conch croquettes look so yummy. October would be a great month to go down next year for my husband’s birthday. I have been asked to put together an Alcoholics Anonymous Caribbean trip for 2019 and maybe I should look into Aruba. Thankyou so much for sharing the wonderful recommendations although the drinks look so beautiful, no drinking for me. LOL

    Reply
  4. JaNae L Hodge says

    April 27, 2018 at 3:22 pm

    There are a lot of things on this list I have never heard of before. Sounds like you had an amazing experience there!

    Reply
  5. Toni says

    April 25, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    Oh this food looks just amazing! We don’t have much here in rural Illinois in ways of seafood, but I might be on a new restaurant hunt!

    Reply
  6. Shannon W says

    April 25, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    It all looks so delicious! we don’t have many great seafood places around us here in Michigan.

    Reply
  7. Kylarouz says

    April 25, 2018 at 1:53 pm

    Amazing post… Definately trying it out

    Reply
  8. Kylarouz says

    April 25, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    The pictures are awesome….. Everyone looks really nice
    Never tried aruban cuisine before but am surely going to try it now

    Reply
  9. Edwin Prasetio says

    April 24, 2018 at 10:50 am

    Great restaurants. Food lovers just can’t wait to explore the cuisine..

    Reply
  10. Kat says

    April 23, 2018 at 8:33 pm

    This post speaks to my wanderlust heart. I loved reading about all of the different cuisines of Aruba. It is definitely on my bucket list of places to see now!

    Reply
  11. Cassandra says

    April 23, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    All of this looks delicious! I can not wait until I can begin to travel and experience different authentic cuisines. Aruba is definately on my bucket list!

    Reply
  12. Jackie David says

    April 20, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    Oh i have never heard of aruban cuisine. The food looks so delicious! I should try this. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Feira says

    April 20, 2018 at 1:36 am

    What a valuable post! I would love to visit Auruba to experience a food tour. I love how you listed all of the restaurants and highlighted dishes. The shrimp looks absolutely mouthwatering. Thank you!

    Reply
  14. Becca Talbot says

    April 19, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    I’ve never really thought about what Aruban cooking might be like, as it’s not a country I’ve visited (yet). You had me at the word “cheese” though 🙂 It all looks divine! x

    Reply
  15. Flora_the_Sweaterist says

    April 18, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    What a collection of appetizing dishes! It’s also interesting that so many cultures and circumstances influenced the cuisine – it’s always intriguing to observe how things came to be in the state they are in. I’m all the more interested considering the Dutch influence as I do Dutch Studies at the university 🙂

    Reply
  16. Mira says

    April 18, 2018 at 5:46 pm

    I love food in general, but I’m a big sucker for desserts! And the sound of pineapple upside-down cake makes me hungry. Great array of beautiful dishes! They all look delicious.

    Reply
  17. Chelsea Leigh says

    April 18, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    Seafood is my jam so I would DEFINITELY want to try out some Aruban cuisine!

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth O says

    April 18, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Wow Aruba sounds amazing. It’s really interesting to read that 96 different registered nationalities live there that is so much culture to explore indeed!

    Reply
  19. Acupofassamtea says

    April 18, 2018 at 3:37 am

    I have never tried Aruban cuisine. Your pics made me try as soon as possible. Looks very yummy.

    Reply
  20. Khushboo says

    April 17, 2018 at 5:49 pm

    I have honestly never tried Aruban cuisine but it looks delicious. Would love to try their desserts espcially key lime pie

    Reply
  21. travelquartz says

    April 17, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    your post is a culinary delight, though I am vegetarian but I loved the art involved in the dishes that you have shared, the pictures only add to the perfection. cheers.

    Reply
  22. Siobhan | The Baby Boat Diaries says

    April 17, 2018 at 7:53 am

    Aruba sounds amazing! Just looking at the pictures of the food was making my mouth water! x

    Reply
  23. Preet says

    April 17, 2018 at 5:59 am

    What a beautiful and detailed post on the Aruban cuisine. Everything looks so delicious, especially the pan-fried mahi mahi along with the healthy sides. I would love to try some Aruban cuisine now that I know what I will be eating. All your pictures look great.

    Reply
  24. John Milnes says

    April 16, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    Now this nothing like a great food or restaurant review to get your mouth watering. If I had not heard of Aruban cuisine, I have now and it look so so good. It looks so go, it’s making me hungry to looking the food in your post.

    Great post.

    John M

    Reply
  25. What Corinne Did says

    April 16, 2018 at 10:17 pm

    First of all, the pictures are fantastic! I am in awe and getting super hungry! Second of all, I was not aware of the diversity of the aruban cuisine or just their cuisine. you had me hooked and super interested! aruba is defo on my travel list!

    Reply
  26. Wendy says

    April 16, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    Oh wow!! This food sounds incredible and really like the sound of the lobster raviloli. I have never tried any of these dishes but your post has made me really want to go to aAruba so I can try them!x

    Reply
  27. Stephanie says

    April 16, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    So many amazing dishes and types of food. Your pictures are beautiful too and looks like a fantastic visit

    Reply
  28. Katy Stevens says

    April 16, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    Cuisine featuring lots of seafood? I’m there! I love cheese too!

    Reply
  29. bryanna skye says

    April 16, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    glad there are veggie options as I try my best to eat a vegan diet (or at least veggie) – atmosphere looks amazing so would love to go and try

    Reply
  30. Louise says

    April 16, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    Mmm, Aruban cuisine sounds delicious! I think I’d really like Keshi Yena – it sounds right up my street!

    Louise x

    Reply
  31. Lyosha says

    April 16, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    Each dish looks exceptionally well! So arty, very high cuisine. It’s served with a great taste

    Reply
  32. Alaina Monster says

    April 16, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    These all look so delicious. I really like the sounds of the coconut shrimp. I think the locally brewed Balashi Beer and coconut flavours would be amazing.

    Reply
  33. Melitta Campbell says

    April 16, 2018 at 11:06 am

    Wow, this food looks amazing! Thanks for sharing x

    Reply
  34. Linda Hobbis says

    April 16, 2018 at 10:05 am

    I seem to be reading about Aruba all over the place at the moment and am even more intrigued now I know it is a cheese lovers’ paradise. Not sure I’d be brave enough to try the conch though.

    Reply
  35. Tiffany says

    April 16, 2018 at 4:52 am

    Wow, this all looks amazing! The croquettes and shrimp look so flavorful. That mahi mahi is cooked perfectly too. I’ve considered visiting and now I’m certain we’ll have to check it out!

    Reply
  36. Jen Mellor says

    April 15, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    That all looks so amazing I think the one I love the look of most is the cheese filled pastry though. I’m vegetarian so pleased there looks to be some great veggie things too.

    Reply
  37. Chelsya says

    April 15, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    This is such a fun post! The pictures are enticing. I have heard so much about that cheese. I need to visit Aruba soon.

    Reply
  38. Kat Nelson // INDIERELLA says

    April 15, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    I’m absolutely in love with these photos and all of the food!

    Reply
  39. Eva Katona says

    April 15, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    Such a great post. Makes me hungry! I always assumed that the Arabic kitchen is heavy on meat but it looks versatile.

    Reply
  40. Ger (It's Me & Ethan) says

    April 15, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    My cheeks are watering awfully bad right now ! OMG. Those food pictures looks delicious ! Looks like an amazing place to visit ! I’m not jealous at all

    Reply
  41. Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels says

    April 15, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Oh my goodness, what a foodie’s heaven! The food looks absolutely delicious. Kaz

    Reply
  42. Ithfifi says

    April 15, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    I’ve not experienced Aruban cuisine myself but it all looks incredible, I like that there are so many influences making it up. The seafood looks amazing!

    Reply
  43. DD's blog says

    April 15, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    I fell in love in your pictures. All the food looks great and delicious. 🙂

    Reply
  44. Beth @ BethinaBox.com says

    April 15, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    Oh wow! This looks amazing. I’ve never thought to try Aruban cuisine… I actually had no idea it even existed. Haha!

    Reply
  45. the frenchie mummy says

    April 15, 2018 at 8:45 am

    wow! I would have loved trying some of those! I never heard the term Aruban food before. It saya how much of a cook I am LOL. But I love Caribbean food with all its spices

    Reply
  46. Becky says

    April 14, 2018 at 11:03 pm

    I did not realize that Aruba was so small! You made me wish I could cook! Which is completely ironic as I’m a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Those dishes looked incredible. My mouth started to water with your explanations of the dishes. I would have loved to try the round ones as I once had something like that, and it was delicious!

    Reply
  47. Bekki@A Better Way to Homeschool says

    April 14, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    mouth is now watering.
    Yum!

    Reply
  48. Elisse says

    April 14, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    Great post- I would love to get back to Aruba! We had some wonderful food there while on a cruise… There is a condiment we had there I DREAM about- a VERY spicy onion & hot pepper condiment called Pika I am still trying to recreate!!

    Reply
  49. Emily Fata, www.EmulatingEmily.com says

    April 14, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Caribbean cuisine is one of my favourite types of food! I’d love to visit the islands one day and try authentic Caribbean food… one day!

    Reply
  50. Caroline says

    April 14, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Sounds like a great experience and the dishes you tried look fantastic, too.

    Reply
  51. Mellissa Williams says

    April 14, 2018 at 6:34 pm

    I’m so excited to read this post as I am going to Aruba next month. You ate some amazing food, what was your favourite restaurant?

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      April 14, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      It was definitely The West Deck – informal, great food, outdoors with a sea view. Staff are really pleasant too. It was so nice that when I returned to Aruba a month later (on a separate press trip) for the day, it was there I made sure I visited to have my lunch. 🙂 Have fun in Aruba, you’ll love it!

      Reply
  52. Deborah Leader says

    April 14, 2018 at 6:29 pm

    OMG, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven with these food photos! Awesome article and your pictures are so sharp and clear, I want to reach in a grab the food right off the page. Will be bookmarking this for later for sure.

    Reply
  53. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    April 14, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    The food in Aruba looks absolutely amazing! What a fantastic place to visit

    Reply
  54. Haley D Williams says

    April 14, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    I love posts like these! They always make me want to plan a vacation! The food looks amazing!

    Reply
  55. Ginny McMeans says

    April 14, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    What an awesome post! I have Aruba on my list of places I want to visit. Bumping it up towards the top and pinning this article!

    Reply
  56. vicky Hall-Newman says

    April 14, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    Wow, what a lovely experience. The food looks exquisite, I want to try it now

    Reply

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Mum, daydream adventurer, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly award-winning food blogger. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

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Mum, daydream adventurer, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly award-winning food blogger. Calls Shetland home.

Instagram post 2190922388793873030_694267923 #ad No Christmas cookie decorating skills? No worries! Just whip up a batch of gingerbread cookies (clickable recipe link in bio!) using the @brevilleUK HeatSoft hand mixer, and decorate them with ugly Christmas sweaters! All you need to do is to make some easy Royal Icing, pipe your sweater shape onto your easy homemade gingerbread cookies, and then decorate with some Christmas themed sprinkles. The Breville HeatSoft hand mixer, with its softening technology, heats cold butter to room temperature 12x faster too, so there's no need to wait for your cold butter to come to room temperature for making the cookies. It was awarded the 2019 Good Housekeeping Institute approved logo in 2019 for being a 'useful addition to any kitchen'. A perfect gift idea for any bakers on your Christmas list this year! #12bakesofChristmas #enhancingtheeveryday #christmascookies #gingerbread #uglychristmassweater #giftideas #christmasgiftidea #baking
Instagram post 2190920751203375282_694267923 My heart is aching for adventure and sunlight; 10+ mile cliff top hikes with a backpack of good food, hot coffee and a friend to share the experience with. We’re coming into the darkest period of the year now, which is usually the hardest for me. Come midwinter we’ll have just under six hours of daylight, but then the days will start to get longer again, and the cycle continues. What tips do you have for passing these dark days? This year I’m holding up pretty well. I’m keeping busy with my work (so much work! It’s great I have the opportunity to work from home, but please be patient with all my sponsored posts of late - they’re paying off my giant tax bill in January!), taking vitamin D and regular, daily exercise (sometimes 2-3 workouts!). When that sun returns I’ll be ready for adventure! This photo was taken last summer at one of my favourite recharge walks. I swear there are dragons there. #inspiredbyshetland #whatshetlandmeanstome #getoutside #shetlandislands #shetlandphotography #scotspirit #outandaboutscotland #yourscotland #scotlandexplore #explore_scotland #scotland_insta #cliffs #seastack #seastacks #seascape
Instagram post 2190809039791844504_694267923 #ad This Christmas why not try something new? I’ve been experimenting with Yule Logs (this is my first one ever!) using a technique I learned from the Dr. Oetker website. The chocolate sponge is filled with a caramel cream before being covered in dark chocolate ganache and strips of dark chocolate bark. Dust with icing sugar and serve! Recipe link in profile! Share your Dr. Oetker Christmas bakes with the hashtag #bakechristmastonakechristmas to be in for a chance of winning 1 of 12 prizes in their Christmas competition!#bakechristmastomakechristmas #chocolate #baking #christmasrecipe #yulelog #swissroll #darkchocolate
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Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.

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Hue Animation Studio Giveaway
Ugly Christmas Sweater Gingerbread Cookies image - gingerbread men biscuits with decorated icing and sprinkles
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