Craving a taste of Belize this holiday season? If you are – you’re in luck. The much beloved Flavors of Belize cookbook went digital earlier this year, meaning it’s now a whole lot easier to snag yourself a copy. Brimming with sweet and savory snapshots of Belizean culture through food, Flavors of Belize gives at-home cooks a chance to try their hand at some of the favorites – from fry jacks to split peas and even some traditional holiday favorites. Whether it’s boozy rum popo or sweet milk cake, here are some favorite Belizean Christmas recipes, courtesy of Flavors of Belize.
Black Fruit Cake
The Belizean black fruit cake is chock full of dried fruit, spices, and nuts. Its hue (thanks to stout and caramel coloring) is just as deep and rich after baking low and slow. The dense cake gets a punchy dash of Traveller’s Gold Rum or wine on top while still warm. It’s a guaranteed festive mouthful.
Black RellenoÂ
Relleno Negro also known as “Black Dinner”
Relleno Negro (Black Relleno), also known as “black dinna”, is a popular Mestizo dish. It’s a savory soup that features chicken, pork balls, boiled eggs, and of course… spices! What makes relleno negro stand out most of all, though, is its color. The distinctive black color comes from the use of the black recado. It’s a paste made of local chili peppers that are roasted until they are dark.
Go to recipeÂ
Rum Popo (Belizean Eggnog)Â
Rum Popo is a rich creamy blended traditional drink made in Belize that is similar to eggnog. This drink, dating back hundreds of years, is typically served in Belizean households as a celebratory drink shared with family and friends but can also be found in restaurants and bars all throughout December. Almost every home in Belize makes their own version of rum popo. The creamy drink is also used as a unique homemade gift for family and friends during the holidays.Â
Tamales
Traditional Mestizo foods have become favorites of all the diverse cultural groups in Belize. One of the most important dishes in the Mestizo culture, especially for Christmas, is tamales. This traditional dish is unlike the Mexican tamale, whereby the tamales are not wrapped in corn husks, but are instead wrapped in banana leaves. A rather complex dish to make, nothing brings the family together quite like cooking Belizean tamales.Â
Sorrel
In the Caribbean, sorrel first rooted itself as a Christmastime tradition due to the roselle’s seasonal availability; fresh sorrel flowers pop up in farmers’ markets across the country, and even your local grocery store, just before Christmas. Much like the variation of eggnog in the Caribbean, the festive Sorrel drink has been tweaked and perfected in each Caribbean country.
Milk Cake
Photo by Flavors of Belize
Belizean Caramel Cake, or ‘Boil Milk Cake’, is a light and moist white cake that’s perfectly sweetened to celebrate any occasion – including Christmas! With a traditional white cake as the base, sweet and sticky caramel – also known as boil milk, or dulce de leche – makes each layer richer than the last.
