Today we are featuring one of CFC’s staff members, Lude-Hena Gilles.  Lude is our translation coordinator and was born in Montreal, of Haitian immigrant parents.
Lude loves to cook and bake, and enjoys experimenting with different types of cuisines.  She however feels that Haitian cuisine is her all time favourite.

What are some of your favourite traditional Haitian meals that you share with your family and friends?

Well, in any/every Haitian event, be it a birthday, a wedding, Christmas or just a friendly get-together, these are the staples: “patés” (beef, chicken or fish patties) are always our starters, followed by rice and beans, black rice (which is mushroom rice we call “riz djon djon”), macaroni and cheese casserole, fried plantains, fried pork (“griot”), and fried chicken in sauce.  That’s just the main course...! Then there’s desert...

What ingredient can you absolutely not live without?

Honestly, the absolute MUST-have is Haitian homemade marinade, made up of garlic, parsley, onions, scallions, leeks, green and red bell peppers, oil, salt, and a bit of Goya seasoning. It’s absolutely amazing, and works marvellously well for every type of meat and fish!

Do you have a favourite go-to chicken dish and if so, what is it?

My favourite is baked chicken in sauce w/ cashew nuts..it’s incredibly delicious!