About Me

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I grew up in Annapolis, the capital of MD, on the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River where we always had fresh fish and seafood. I love all things food: cooking, eating, trying new recipes and sharing what I make with family and friends. I must say that my most favorite (I have many favorites) food is fish and mostly catfish. So, I'm always seeking catfish recipes frolm all olver. I like my cooking, my daughter, Wendy's, cooking and my son, Dan's dishes, as well. I'm not a food snob; in other words, I also enjoy OPC, (Other People's Cooking) also. I've got loads of interests: cats and dogs, taking photos, Giant pandas, chandeliers and the arts. I am a former teacher, personal chef and recovering lawyer turned information marketer. I love (watching) football, basketball, extreme sports like mountain/rock climbing, snowboarding, skiing and surfing. My own extreme sports are swimming, walking and talking. Not necessarily at the same time.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Memories of Jamaica, the Value of Family, Friends and Jerk Chicken

My son, Dan, is married to the most wonderful young woman, Natalie, from Jamaica. In fact, my entire new Jamaican family is wonderful and is an awesome addition to the already fabulous family I have here in the US mainland.  Sandra, Natalie's mom, and I became instantly close and have bonded on a deep level.  Wendy, my daughter, has taken on her brother's wife as a  little sister.  My granddaughter, Danielle, and her new step-mom have also become very close and have secrets together.  My brother, Aubrey and sister in-law, Joyce, and nephew, Aubrey III, have also welcomed the Jamaica branch of the family.

Denise and Dudley Stokes, Natalie's aunt and uncle, are lovely and have embraced me and all of my family. Dudley, by the way, was a member of the first Jamaican Bobsled team!  You may remember that they shocked the world in 1988 when the first Jamaican bobsled team participated in the 1988 Olympics Winter Games in Calgary. Canada.

This, to me, is great fortune.   Many people look on fortune as having a great deal of money or great financial resources.  I don't.  Fortune is having people you love, like respect and admire who feel the same about you.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't reject the idea of having money and the things it does, believe me.  I am an entrepreneur and make my money form my business.  You can not get a bus to wherever you need to go without money.  Money is necessary to live.



However, real support comes from people.  They are the treasure of the heart.  For example, when I was battling breast cancer in 2001, money was not what I needed to steel me against what I was forced to confront.  It was my spiritual philosophy, my family and friends, including my former husband, who encouraged me that, no matter what, I had the strength within myself to win and overcome this fierce opponent.  And, I did.  Money, which is paper, uncaring and neutral, could not do that.

I have had jerk chicken here in my area, yet, there was nothing like tasting Jerk chicken in its native habitat with native chefs.  So, in honor of my Jamaican family, I present this Jerk Chicken recipe:



INGREDIENTS :

    * 1- 31/2 lbs chicken (3lb of chicken breasts may be used if preferred)
    * Jerk Sauce (See below)
    * lemon or lime juice

Jerk Sauce

METHOD:

   1. Clean, skin,and cut chicken in medium pieces,then wash with lime or lemon juice
   2. Rub the chicken with the Jerk seasoning.
   3. Be sure to rub under skin and in cavities
   4. Marinate overnight.
   5. Grill at lowest possible setting over a low fire until done.
   6. Pimento (all spice) branches (this is what is used in Jamaica) mixed with charcoal is best. If not try to use an aromatic wood in the barbecue grill to enhance the flavor.
   7. Chop meat into pieces, and serve traditionally with hard-dough bread

INGREDIENTS :

    * 1/2 cup Pimenta ( allspice berries)
    * 1/2+ cup packed brown sugar
    * 6-8 garlic cloves
    * 4-6 Scotch bonnet peppers
    * 1 tablespoon ground thyme or 2 tablespoons thyme leaves
    * 1-2 bunches scallions (green onions)
    * 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
    * salt and pepper to taste
    * 2 tablespoon soy sauce to moisten

METHOD:

   1. Put ingredients in a food processor or blender and liquefy
   2. Pour sauce in a Jar and keep refrigerated.
   3. The sauce will keep forever if kept refrigerated
   4. To increase spiciness blend pepper and pimenta and add to sauce the hot peppers at any time.

Seasoning Instruction:

    * Leave skin on chicken
    * Rub the meat (chicken, pork or beef) with the seasoning.
    * With chicken, be sure to rub under skin and in cavities
    * Marinate overnight.

Cooking Instructions

    * Grill at lowest possible setting over a low fire until done.
    * Pimenta (all spice) branches (this is what is used in Jamaica) mixed with charcoal is best. If not try to use an aromatic wood in the barbecue grill to enhance the flavor.
    * Chop meat into pieces, and serve traditionally with hard-dough bread



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