Vegetable Soup

This soup is as easy as ABC, and is uber healthy. I implore you to try it!

Ingredients

1 lb. pumpkin

6 stalks celery (diced)

1 bell pepper (

1 large onion (chopped)

3 cloves garlic

1/2 scotch bonnet pepper

4 medium size carrots (finely chopped)

3 stalks of escallion/green onion

2 springs thyme

 salt

3 1/2 cups water

1 lb. yam (diced)

1/2 lb. potato (diced)

1 pck. Grace Cock Soup

Directions

* Bring water to boil.

* Shred pumpkin and let boil for 10 mins.

* Add all ingredients except Cock Soup and salt. 

* Let vegetables cook on medium heat for 15 mins.

* Add Grace Cock Soup and let simmer for another 5 mins.

* Add salt to taste. 

Jatalian- (Jamaican- Italian) Breaded Pork Chops

This dish here is something that I'd really like you all to try! It is simply amazing and easy to do!
Serve with mash potatoes/asparagus/green peas or corn...

Ingredients

3 eggs
2 tbsp. Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning
3 tbsp .milk
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I prefer freshly grated) 
1 tbsp. dried parsley
1 tbsp. dried thyme
2 tbsp, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
5 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
4 pork chops

Directions

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* Rub jerk sauce over washed and drained pork until it's evenly coated.
* In a bowl mix milk and eggs evenly together.
* In another bowl, mix bread crumbs, thyme, parsley and Parmesan.
* Heat oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium heat.
* Add garlic and cook till slightly brown then remove.
* Dip pork chops in egg mixture then bread crumb coating evenly, one at a time then add to skillet.
* Let brown for 5-7 mins on each side until brown.
* Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 30 mins.

Saltfish Fritters/ Codfish Fritters

This is one of Jamaica's favourite dishes... This can be served any time of the day and holds a special place in our hearts.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. saltfish/codfish
1/2 lb. flour
1 large onion
2 large tomatoes
3 gloves of garlic
1/2 bell pepper (yellow)
3 stalks escallion/green pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper

oil for frying

Directions

* Boil saltfish/codfish in water for about 10-mins. on medium heat. Drain, rinse under cold water.
* Flake saltfish/codfish ( remove fish bones and scale if any).
* Chop finely all seasons.
* Add seasoning to saltfish/codfish and set aside.
* Add saltfish/codfish to flour.
* Add enough water to make a batter.
* Heal oil.
* Fry by tbsp. or small scoop in oil ( about a min. per side) until golden brown.
* Drain on paper towel.
* Serve hot.

Kitchen Hack...Burned Rice

Hey Readers!

So I saw this hack and I didn't believe it, until...

I was steaming some rice and didn't remember, so it got burned....
I then decided to try this hack, and to my surprise it actually worked!
Now I am encouraging you all to try it if your rice ever get burned...lol and it's as simple as this.

* Place a slice of bread on top of the burned rice and place the lid back on.
* Let Stay for about 5-10 mins.
* Remove the lid and remove the slice of bread and there you have it!
* Be sure to not let burned grains get in the way when you're serving!

Let me know if this hack works for you!

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

So... seeing that the day is finished and we have all eaten. Let's prepare for tomorrow's meal; Brown Stew Chicken. Best served with any staple.

Ingredients

4 lbs chicken (stew) washed and drained
1 inch ginger
5 cloves garlic
2 large onion
3 stalks escallion/ green onion
2 sprigs of thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper
3 tbsp. browning
2 tbsp. oil
1 sachet Maggi All Purpose Season up
1 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 cups water
3 tbsp. ketchup
2 medium carrots
1/4 bell pepper


Directions

* Blend ginger, 3 cloves garlic, 1 onion, 2 stalks green onion, 1 sprig of thyme, half of scotch bonnet.
* Add blended mixture and browning to chicken and let marinate for at least 45 mins.
* Heat oil and add chicken just enough to stiffen chicken.
* Add water a little at a time so that the chicken can be stewed evenly for about 20 mins on medium heat.
* Chop and add remaining ingredients and let simmer for 10 mins.
Serve hot in gravy.

Serves 8-10

Dre's Delish: Curried Chicken

Dre's Delish: Curried Chicken: Want to know what to cook today?  Guess no more! Jamaican Curried Chicken it will be today! This is normally served with steamed rice...

Curried Chicken

Want to know what to cook today? 
Guess no more! Jamaican Curried Chicken it will be today!
This is normally served with steamed rice and is one of Jamaica's favorite dishes!


Ingredients

4 lbs chicken (cut up in stew)
4 cloves of garlic
2 springs of thyme
1/2 inch ginger
3 stalks escallion/green onion
1 medium size onion
a pinch of pimento seeds
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil or (just enough to coat the pot)
3 tbsp curry powder
2 cups water
3 medium potatoes
1/4 of a bell pepper
1 small scotch bonnet pepper
1 sachet Maggi Season Up All Purpose Season
2 tbsp of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions

* Wash chicken with Vinegar (not only are you cutting the rawness but you're adding flavor) & drain.
*Blend thyme, garlic, pimento seeds, half of onion, 2 stalks of escallion, scotch bonnet and a little bit of water in a blender or food processor .
* Add this blend to chicken with salt and Maggi Season Up and let marinate for 45 mins- 60 mins (the longer you marinate, the more flavor it will have).
* Heat oil in pot- add curry powder and  let "burn" for  30 seconds while stirring.
* Add chicken to pot and stir. Keep turning until chicken is covered with curry. Cook on medium heat until chicken is cooked while adding water a little at a time.
* Dice potatoes evenly and add remaining ingredients.

Serves 8
Cook Time 40 mins.

Jamaican Rice and Peas

If you really want to make the most delicious Rice and Peas. Here's what you do!

1 can kidney beans 

1 can coconut milk or milk from 1 dry coconut

1 lb. rice

3 stalks escallion/green onion

1 large sprig of thyme

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 bell pepper

1 tbsp. grated ginger

2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. sugar

1 scotch bonnet pepper

1 sachet Maggi  Season-up All Purpose season (any other can do)

3/4 cup water

Method

* Add water to pot, along with kidney beans - bring to boil.

* Add every other ingredient except rice.

* Bring to a simmer - let flavors infuse.

(There should be 2 times the amount of liquid to rice)

* Bring back liquid to boil before adding rice

* Wash and drain rice then add to bean mixture, reduce heat and cook on low fire until rice cooks.

* When cooked, stir with a fork before serving.

There you have it! Simple Jamaica Rice and Peas

Serves 7

Fried Dumplings/Johnny Cakes

Hey Everybody! Just letting you know that this is what we do in Dre's Delish!

Here's our recipe for Johnny Cakes

2 cups flour

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 tsp salt 

1 tbsp baking powder

2 tbsp margarine

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp all spice

1/2 cup cooking oil

1/2 cup water (cold)

*  Mix all ingredients, except water until the butter blends with the flour evenly.

* Add a little water at a time until a firm dough is formed.

* Divide dough into balls ( about 2 inches). Knead each one from the outside in for about 30 secs.

* Press gently with hands and fry in oil.

* Drain and serve hot.

PS- I do not own this image