Ensaimada de Mallorca is a spiral-shaped sweet pastry made with a yeast dough that is combined with eggs and lard. This type of bread has been made on the island of Mallorca since the 17th century and the recipe has remained unchanged to this day. The word ensaïmada comes from saïm, meaning lard, which is the essential ingredient in this recipe. The base recipe for ensaimada de Mallorca is very simple and includes only flour, sugar, eggs, yeast, and water. …

Sobrassada is a unique speciality from the Balearic Islands, a sausage with a reddish-orange colour, made from ground pork, pork fat, paprika, salt, and pepper. The meat should come from locally grown black pigs which are related to the Ibérico pigs living on the mainland. The sausages are cured in the open air between one and eight months. The texture of sobrassada is like a soft pâté, so it is usually spread on bread or toast instead of being cut …

Trempó is a refreshing summer salad. It is made with a combination of tomatoes, onions, and Mallorcan green bell peppers. The vegetables are chopped, drizzled with olive oil, and seasoned only with salt. It is believed that the name of this salad is derived from the word trempar, meaning to dress. Serve trempó with country bread and olives on the side.

Oliaigua is a traditional Balearic dish originating from Menorca. This simple soup is prepared by frying onions and garlic in a pan until transparent, then add green peppers, tomatoes, and water. The soup is slowly simmered, but it mustn't come to a boil. Oliaigua is typically served with toasted stale bread on the side. The name of the soup is a reference to the combination of oil (oil) and water (aigua), and it was originally very popular among farmers, who …

Greixonera is a traditional Balearic dessert made with leftover ensaimada—a spiral-shaped sweet pastry. Similar to a bread pudding, greixonera consists of pieces of ensaimada that are combined with milk and eggs and the whole combination is then baked until firm and golden brown. The cake is often flavoured with cinnamon or lemon zest, and it is traditionally served bottom-side-up and comes dusted with ground cinnamon. Greixonera is typically prepared in the days following certain special events with the leftover ensaimada.

Arròs brut is a traditional Balearic dish. It's made with a combination of onions, tomatoes, rice, mushrooms, pieces of meat such as chicken or rabbit, and vegetables such as peas, red peppers, and green beans. The name of the dish means dirty rice, and it's always prepared with excess water so that it remains soupy. The spices used in this rice dish usually include paprika, saffron, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.

Conch fritters are the national dish of sunny Bahamas. It consists of pounded, tenderized conch meat that is fried in batter with tomatoes, onions, celery, bell peppers, and various, often peppery seasonings. Conch meat is combined with vegetables because it takes a lot of effort to obtain a small amount of meat, and it's a way of making every bit of meat count. Usually tough and sturdy, conch meat greatly benefits from being cooked in tiny diced pieces.

Duff is a sweet dessert dish from the Bahamas, consisting of dough filled with fruits such as guava when the dish is known as guava duff. The dish is then boiled or steamed, and topped with a sweet, buttery sauce containing either rum or brandy. Many locals claim that the sauce is the key ingredient that should not be omitted during the preparation of this sweet treat.

Bahamian chicken souse is a poultry dish that is eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is made with chicken pieces, onions, potatoes, goat peppers, lime juice, allspice, and butter. The chicken is boiled with other ingredients, and the dish is ready once the potatoes become tender. Chicken souse has a reputation of being a great hangover cure, and it is traditionally served with rice, johnnycakes, or hot grits on the side.

Peas and dumpling soup is the official soup of The Bahamas. The ingredients usually include pigeon peas, ham, stewed tomatoes, and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and onions. The dumplings are typically made with a combination of flour, salt, pepper, and milk, although some opt for coconut milk instead of regular milk. This soup is especially popular any time the temperature drops, and it is a staple at home kitchens, local restaurants, special events, and roadside eateries, where …

Bahamian fish stew is made with flour, onions, carrots, potatoes, tomato paste, oil, and fish such as snapper or grouper. The fish is first browned, then combined with flour which has been browned in oil, onions, spices, carrots, potatoes, and tomato paste. The concoction is then simmered until the fish is tender and fully cooked. It is recommended to serve this stew with homemade bread or johnnycakes on the side.