Yes, I know how lucky I am
My name is Cat and I spend 80 per cent of any given day thinking about food*.
I am lucky enough to live in the Caribbean with my lovely husband, slightly neurotic dog** and insatiable appetite for home-cooked meals using fresh, unprocessed ingredients where possible.
On this site you’ll find recipes for all manner of dishes, cooking tips and food-related musings. I am not a professional chef, I have never cooked for money and I have no formal culinary training or qualifications. I am just a woman who has cooked a lot of meals, eaten even more and has one extremely discerning belly.
If you like what you see, get in touch, tell a friend, go to twitter and twit, visit facebook and face..all the usual sharing and caring that goes on in the beautiful wide web.
I’m extremely proud to say that my recipes have been featured on Mark’s Daily Apple, PaleoHacks, Chriskresser.com, Paleo Grubs and more.
there’s no reason to put a photo here, I just love this shot
If you don’t like what you see, screw you! What’s wrong with you?! Kidding, kidding. Feel free to email (thingsmybellylikes@email.com) and rant at me. I don’t mind, it won’t ruin my day. Much.
*Full disclosure: that’s a very conservative estimate
**Sadly that neurotic dog is no more.
Things My Belly Likes 
Hello, I love to meet other people with discerning bellies! We must stick together in this world of fast food and horrible, overpriced restaurants! Here’s a cheer for all the people who love and appreciate food and for all the GREAT restaurants and home kitchen where I’ve eaten or hope to eat at soon!!!!
Hooray! I feel like we’re building a movement here 🙂 Thanks for commenting and giving your support to the cause. Bellies unite! On a more serious note, I see that you’ve mastered the art of sourdough bread – something I’m not brave enough to do myself. Been meaning to though as I hear it’s much better for the gut. Will check out your informative posts in more detail!
Thanks for the “like” on my heart pizza!! I am just like you – no professional experience but I love to cook and bake too. Your recipes look great and I am so jealous that you are in the Caribean! ha ha (although winter hasn’t been too bad this year here in Canada)
Hi Mary, thanks for commenting – nice to hear from you 🙂 I’ve family in Canada and they keep telling me it’s not too bad up there but I don’t believe it. I’ve been down south so long that I’m a total wimp about winter now.
At least your icy weather is the perfect excuse to load up on comfort foods 🙂
i’m pretty excited about looking at all your food! ❤ food!
Yep, food is the best thing ever. Thanks for checking out the blog – always good to hear from like-minded foodies 🙂
Love your blog! Thanks for the like on mine. Have a terrific day. 🙂
Hi Renee, thanks and right back atcha!
And I thought I had good reason to brag living in Florida. YOU WIN.
Hi Dena,
Ahahaha! Yes, in many ways I do win but try telling me that in summer when the annual onslaught of bugs begins….I don’t do well with crawling and/or flying things.
Still, a small price to pay 🙂
Hi! I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for visiting my blog and for the “like”. You have a fantastic blog- have a great day! 🙂
Hi Pasta Princess (love the name), thanks for commenting, glad you like the site.
I love the sound of your thai chicken pizza and your photos are amazing – they make me instantly hungry. I have food-photo envy!
Love your Blog name and your posts have me in stitches. And I thought the Irish had the monopoly on cynical wit. Enjoy the sunshine, it’s raining here – for a change. Sheelagh.
Hi Sheelagh,
Perhaps it’s now time to ‘fess up – I’m actually a Northern Irish gal myself 🙂 and your talk of rain has me (weirdly) homesick.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, nice to meet a fellow countrywoman, especially one that cooks such delicious looking stuff (you had me at Dublin Bay bisque)
Cat
Aha! My Mother is a Northerner. Spent most of my childhood holidays in my Grandmothers Ulster farmhouse, lovely to meet you too. Sheelagh x.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and liking the recipe for poached salmon in the slow cooker. Your site is terrific—great photos! intriguing recipes! (Beetcake? You’re gonna have to convince me on that one…”bleurgh” is what I say to beets, too.)
Glad to find you!
Cheers,
Marci
Aww thanks Marci, welcome to the blog and thanks for commenting.
I wouldn’t steer you wrong about the beetcake, honestly. The trick is to induce temporary amnesia so you forget you ever put beets in there. Your tastebuds will never know (cue evil laugh).
Cat
I am a terrible cook but a decent baker. So I’m learning to cook because of my kiddo. Not because of my husband, because why learn to cook when there’s practically a pro in the house? I’m interested in kid-friendly meals to sneak the healthy things into the delicious things. Is that something you’ve ever done?
I don’t have kids so can’t give you any help there but I definitely try the sneak approach with hubby’s food sometimes eg I make a mean spinach mac n’ cheese….even the ‘dirty’ meals are kinda given the healthy makeover in our house (unless I’m too tired to cook of course and then I become a total hypocrite).
Ooh, spinach in the mac n chee. Excellent idea. I have breakfast and lunch down, but for some reason I can’t come up with a kid-friendly dinner. She’s picky too, so that doesn’t help.
Well I don’t know what adorable moppets such as yours eat at that age but I’ll tentatively suggest something with mashed potatoes? Mash is a great vehicle for anything ‘nasty’ like spinach/onions/garlic etc and you can get all crazy with sweet potatoes in the mix.
LOVE your blog!! I wish I lived where you live!
Thank you Miss Tasty! Believe me, it’s not ALL great – you should be here in hurricane season, now THAT’s a party 🙂
Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking one of my posts! Just had a nosey around yours and after the pancake recipe – and the pastry one (which I’m going to try with chestnut flour…maybe…or possibly that split with coconut flour….hmmmm) and several other interesting looking ones, I’ve decided to Follow you! Yayyy!!!! I look forwards to reading more of your foodie posts 🙂
J
Hi Jacquie, thanks for exploring the blog and following along -appreciate the support!
Chestnut flour? I’ve never heard of that but it sounds amazing (I absolutely LOVE chestnuts), is it easy to use in baking etc?
I made our Christmas cakes with it last year – worked absolutely fine! It did look a bit curdled when I added the eggs, but did the trick of adding a bit more flour in to help it along, and all mixed in fine at the end! It’s quite a coarse texture though – you can actually feel the grainy-ness sometimes… (Can’t really sieve it). I’ve used it in carrot cake as well and that was fine too!
If I can find some in our local store, I will definitely give it a try. Might be tough though – we can’t even get chestnuts until the Christmas season (and then I buy them out within a week!). Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Sounds like we have a few things in common, although I’m lusting after your idyllic setting. 🙂 I’ll have to poke around and see what else there is to see on your blog. Cheers!
Hi jessica and welcome!
Hi, I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award 🙂 http://intoleranceisbliss.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/the-versatile-blogger-award-sharing-the-love/
Hi InB, thanks v much – delighted to be honoured 🙂
Haven’t heard of it but will def check it out..
Drat! Great minds think alike – you got the same award passed on to you today from me as well! 🙂 (I didn’t notice you’d already been thought of…. doh!)
J
Oh wow, thank you so much Jacquie. It’s an honour..must get my behind in gear and pass it on. Thanks again, appreciate it.
Thanks for visiting my site, Cat! (Play a Good Knife and Fork, http://blog.pknewby.com). Very funny stuff here and many a tasty recipe, too! Where you live looks just beautiful, especially on a cold, windy day in Boston like today! Be well and visit again. 🙂 Cheers, PK (@pknewby)
Hi PK, I most certainly will (your chili had my mouth watering)!
Thanks for staying a while and browsing, nice to meet you!
HI cat! Thanks for stopping by and liking a post of mine. I think you and I are on the same page when it comes to food. 😉 I’ll be following you! Cheers!
Hi! Welcome!
To tell you the truth, I was smitten when I saw your blog name – love it. And of course your recipes look fab 🙂
Thanks for following & commenting!
I think about food most of my day, much to the amusement of my husband! Thank you for the like on my blog!
YUM! Excited & looking forward to browsing all this goodness. Nummy 🙂
Hello! Welcome! Browse away!
cat! fellow blogger here, looking for your email address. is it anywhere on your page? i just had a quick tidbit for you. anyway, your blog is super cute., and i can tell you really enjoy doing what you do here! keep on rockin!
liz
Thanks Liz. I’m at thingsmybellylikes@yahoo.com
Lucky you living in the Caribbean! That’s my dream…. and being a real food blogger who doesn’t need a day job. Thanks for stopping by and liking my post! Your Bailey’s Cheesecake bites look fantastic!
Thanks Karen..I hear you about giving up the day job – *sigh* one can only dream!
Hi – i’ve just nominated you for ‘Beautiful Blogger Award’ – it’s posted on my blog. thank you for your lovely blog and your support and feedback. x
Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate the vote of confidence – especially because yours is the type of blog I aspire to have! You have made my weekend 🙂
I love your blog so I have a little surprise waiting for you. Come check it out! Donna
I really enjoy your blog so I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. More information at http://remcooks.com/2012/04/02/versatile-blogger-award/. I’m sure you have already received it but I do enjoy your blog and thought I would share it with you again. Happy Blogging.
Wow, thanks Richard – coming from such an amazing chef as yourself, that means a lot. Thank you!
Because you have a great blog, here is your Kreative Blogger Award:
http://acorninmykitchen.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/kreativ-blogger-award/
Good job!
Oh wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate the support – you’ve made my Monday 🙂
Thanks for the follow! Love your blog!
Thank you and right back atcha 🙂
I’ve nominated you for a Sunshine Award: http://veggiewhatnow.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/sunshine-award/
YaY! Thank you so much, really appreciate the support 🙂
Hey Cat. You have just received a One Lovely Blog award. Congrats on a great blog
http://pantryobsession.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/and-the-award-goes-to/
Thanks so much Helen, that’s just put a smile on my face (which is extremely difficult on Monday mornings) 🙂
You’re welcome. Yay! I made someone smile on a Monday morning! 🙂 Have a great day 🙂
I love this blog; I love cooking and baking (have just started a food blog myself with a friend gourmetfoodbaby.wordpress.com ) but I have also nominated you for an award http://myyearinquotes.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/an-award/ 🙂
Hi Cat,
As a college girl learning the ropes of cooking and baking, I absolutely adore your blog– it’s a great resource to have! So, I’ve nominated you for an award 🙂 Read more here: http://wp.me/p2gmDL-7h
As far as I can see you have not been given the Liebster Blog Award…so I want to award you and congratulate you!! Check out the details at http://goo.gl/Fhcsn (you are probably over 200 followers too but I still nominated you!) 🙂
Thank you so much Lily. Nope, haven’t go the Liebster (ha! I’m making it sound like the blogging oscars), hadn’t even heard of it but I’m thrilled to accept. That’s brilliant news, cheers [raises metaphorical glass] 🙂
ha ha oh ok good! I am glad to be the first to award you the blogging oscars 🙂
Good morning Cat! I’ve nominated you for an award. Have a great Sunday and keep on making us happy with your posts! Here’s the link: http://expatchef.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/another-award-nomination/
I too think a lot about food! Your blog has lot of variety and is wonderful!
Thanks Vini! So glad you stopped by (and now I have found your blog, which is making me extremely hungry). I’ve my eye on some of your recipes – LOVE indian food 🙂
Thanks a lot ! Hope you enjoy them!
you are so funny!! I’m going to have to follow you now. I keep seeing TheObamacrat reblogging your posts and your deviled eggs drew me in. Nice to meet you!
Hi Toby! Nice to meet you too…thanks for joining the family 🙂
just found you on fb thru a freind. you’ve got some funny sick delicious stuff going on. Happy Birthday…your fb page turned one this month.
Hi Carol and thank you 🙂 Good observational skills – I’ve actually got a post coming up about it soon. Can’t quite believe she’s one already…I’m so proud 😉
Please find my nomination for your blog on SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARDS. Please see the rules as follow http://cookingwithmamamiyuki.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-awards/
Happy Blogging
I LOVE YOUR BLOG 😀
This is my new favourite bog of all times! Informative, funny, healthy, sensible, resourceful…
Wow, sounds like a love letter, better stop here. P.s: I’m in the UK, it is 0 degrees today and smells of snow, can I move in with you??? just kidding. Alix
And that, right there in a nutshell, is why I moved out of the UK 🙂 Damn March snow! Thank you for your lovely words and for reading the blog. You sound like a charming potential flatmate. If you are capable of killing cockroaches without so much as a twitch then you’re in! Welcome to the madhouse 🙂 Cat
Ummm… I have to kill spiders here so, I think you got yourself a deal! See you soon roomie! 😉 x
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HoooOOOooOOOWWWWWwwwwLLLLLLLooooooooo Cat! Thank you for the follow 🙂 The Pack welcomes you! And so does the wolfie belly lol 😉 Your site is deeeeelicious!! Mouthwatering! The Pack will never need to go hunting again…. we will just drop in your blog site and …. well,….wolf it all down! lol 😉
Thanks Wolfie 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the food – I could use some nice carcasses for my bone broth next time you’re on the hunt 😉
Dear Cat,
I have been an avid reader of your blog since past few months as i like your blog content very yummy.
Thanks
Sylvia Dewy
Hi Sylvia, thanks for reading and extra big thanks for coming back and commenting to let me know, I’m delighted that you are enjoying the recipes. I love making other bellies as happy as mine 🙂
Hi Cat, Thanks for dropping by my blog and liking it enough to follow it. I love eating… raw meat. I found some great raw feeding recipes at http://www.rawfeddogs.net/Recipes/ they’ll make your dog drool!
Hi Cat – just came across your blog and love your sense of humour! I have many digestive problems, am coeliac and am training to be a dietitian. I really want to specialise in this area once I have graduated. If your surfing the internet one day (instead of the Caribbean waves), please check out my new blog : http://www.glutenfreeroise.wordpress.com 🙂
Hi Rosie, always good to meet new friends, thanks for stopping by! Given that I have the surfing skills of a drowned rat, I’ll definitely be spending more time on the internet than the waves 🙂 Heading over to your blog now….
That’s a gorgeous shot! Glad you put it there. 😀 Wandering your blog this morning and really enjoying it. We seem to have some of the same ideas about food.
Hi Sarah and welcome! It’s always nice to meet a fellow foodie 🙂
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Guess what? I clicked on ‘follow’ the minute I read your second sentence “I spend 80% if any given day thinking about food.” 🙂 Same here. Nice to meet like minded bloggers. 🙂
Ditto…we should start some sort of foodie cult 🙂
Hey Cat!
I’ve nominated you for THREE awards – A Liebster Award, a WordPress Family Award, and The Versatile Blogger Award! Come on down to recieve your awards!
http://bakingbutterhappiness.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/awards/
Oh wow! Thanks so much Lessie-Lou. I really appreciate it. Three awards at once is kinda mind-blowing. I’ll have to get working on my acceptance speeches 🙂
Hi, I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award, thank you for all of your wonderful posts:
http://foodbod.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/nomination-for-versatile-blogger-award/
😊
Hello, just discovered your blog. Completely sympathize with you on the island living. I don’t know where you are exactly….but vitacost.com delivers to the island I live on and shipping is pretty reasonable.
Thanks Michele, will check it out 🙂
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the Shine On Award – read more about it here: http://eatingmyfeelings.com/2014/01/21/eating-my-feelings-receives-shine-on-award/
Thanks for sharing your delicious food!! I absolute adore your blog.
Thank you so much Erin, that’s a lovely surprise. Heading over to check it out now 🙂
Hi Cat.
I’ve just read your recipe for Cottage pie and you have asked what the difference is between Cottage and Shepherds Pie. Shepherds Pie is made with lamb and Cottage pie is made with beef or pork.
Regards
Mike.
Thank you Mike, mystery solved!
Glad to have found your blog. I too think about a food all day. Thank you for knowing how lucky you are to live where you do! That is stunning….and you are super lucky 🙂
Great blog you have here. look forward to seeing what new recipes you come up with. And I’m so jealous that you get to eat Caribbean food all day – one of the best cuisines ever!
I love your blog – LOVE your humour! I came to you via the chocolate chestnut brownies you did back in 2012 as I have a big batch of ground chestnuts in the freezer (where they’ve been for way too long) and it’s time to bite the bullet and DO something with them … and I’m thinking I’ve just found the perfect recipe in your brownies 😀 What a delight to find you’re a WP blogger too. I call that serendipity, and it’s made me very happy. I can’t wait to read more!
Trixpin
Hey Trixpin! Thanks for your kind words re the blog…and for reminding me that it’s almost chestnut season and I need to get my nut on. Hope you enjoy the brownies and I shall definitely be checking out your intriguingly named blog in the spirit of WordPress togetherness. Food bloggers are the BEST people 🙂