Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Sugar Cakes

Traditional Caribbean-style Sugar Cakes made with grated coconut and a spiced sugar syrup, brightened with ginger, vanilla, and lime zest. Chewy, fragrant, and colorful, they’re an easy stovetop sweet perfect for gifting or celebrations.

🇧🇧 Barbados$

Bolo Espiral de Manteiga de Timor-Leste

A rich Timorese-style spiral butter cake marbled with cocoa and scented with lime zest. Coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk create a tender crumb and caramel notes, while palm sugar deepens the flavor.

🇹🇱 Timor-Leste$$

Oka i'a

Oka i'a is a Samoan raw tuna salad lightly cured in lime juice and folded with rich coconut cream, then tossed with tomato, cucumber, onion, and chili. Bright, creamy, and refreshing with a gentle heat.

🇼🇸 Samoa$$

Agashe

Agashe is a Sudanese/Chadian-style grilled meat skewer coated in a spiced peanut rub, then flame-grilled and served with bread, lemon, and onions. It’s smoky, spicy, and nutty with a bright citrus finish.

🇸🇩 Sudan$$

Isombe

Isombe is a hearty Central African (Rwanda/DRC/Burundi) stew of cassava leaves simmered with peanut butter, palm oil, aromatics, chili, and smoked fish, traditionally served with rice, plantains, or ugali. Rich, earthy, and comforting, it’s a staple celebratory dish with deep greens and nutty depth.

🇷🇼 Rwanda$$

Babai in Coconut Cream

A comforting Pacific Island dessert of tender babai (swamp taro) gently simmered in fragrant pandan-infused coconut cream and lightly sweetened with brown sugar. Creamy, aromatic, and satisfying.

🇰🇮 Kiribati$

Tavë e Valbonës

Tavë e Valbonës is a traditional Albanian baked trout dish featuring a rustic walnut–cornmeal crust, aromatic garlic and onion, and a bright white wine–lemon pan sauce. It’s hearty yet fresh, showcasing river trout with Balkan flavors.

🇦🇱 Albania$$

Grytviken Snow Slice

A no-bake lemon-coconut biscuit slice cloaked in a lush white chocolate topping. Bright citrus, creamy condensed milk, and toasted coconut textures evoke a snowy, festive treat. Perfect chilled squares for sharing.

🇬🇸 South Georgia South Sandwich Islands$$

Smoki

Smoki is a crunchy, peanut-flavored puffed corn snack inspired by the beloved Balkan classic—light, savory, and slightly smoky-sweet. Perfect for casual munching, game nights, or party bowls.

🇷🇸 Serbia$

Cocada Moçambicana

A classic Mozambican coconut confection: chewy, fragrant cocada enriched with egg, butter, vanilla, lemon zest, cinnamon, and studded with crunchy cashews. Sweet, tropical, and lightly spiced, it sets into bite-size bars perfect for sharing.

🇲🇿 Mozambique$$

I've been...

Sugar Cakes

Bolo Espiral de Manteiga de Timor-Leste

Oka i'a

Agashe

Isombe

Babai in Coconut Cream

Tavë e Valbonës

Grytviken Snow Slice

Smoki

Cocada Moçambicana

I've been...

Sugar Cakes

Bolo Espiral de Manteiga de Timor-Leste

Oka i'a

Agashe

Isombe

Babai in Coconut Cream

Tavë e Valbonës

Grytviken Snow Slice

Smoki

Cocada Moçambicana