Jamaica Jammin’ …at Christmas

December 16th

Happy Hump Day! No Manches…

My daughter is a big fan of Quesadillas, and makes them all the time. I have never made them before, bu I do like Mexican food, and over the years I have done nacho’s, fajhita’s and tacos.

I think I will give em’ a whirl tonight…so I will keep you posted of my progress

The above expression….No manches is Mexican for … ‘Don’t bug me, stop pulling my chain! lol

Oh well it’s a start….

WOW….These turned out better than I expected and they were simply fabulous. I can’t believe that I have never made them before.

Thanks to my daughter who has wonderful ideas in the kitchen and inspires me to cook differently. There is something to be said for our youth!

Inspiring and refreshing…gets us middle aged folks out of our cooking ruts! lol

I love you honey!

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December 15th

Our Christmas wine was ready to bottle and label today….in time to share with family and friends over the holidays.

It wasn’t too difficult to come up with names of importance to us…after returning from a fabulous trip to Negril Jamaica.

A full bodied Australian Shiraz….named after some great ‘Moonlight Moments’

A dry smooth white Soave wine…an easy choice after many great days chillin’ on the cliffs of Negril.

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December 14th

Being of Scottish heritage, I don’t ever remember a Christmas without homemade shortbread.

My mother made the best, but also many times, tins of shortbread would arrive from Scotland, but it was never as good as my mothers.

Christmas memories are special, certain smells, tastes are the things that send us back to the days in a matter of minutes.

It might be walking by a store, or flipping through a magazine, we all have our childhood memories from our Christmas past.

Now back to the shortbread. Yes…let’s not loose our focus here….

I have been unable to find that special recipe, but in the “Occasions” magazine from the NBLC ( our provincial liquor comission, they had a recipe for ‘chocolate shortbread’.

Should I dare try it? Well of course I should.

I have never tasted anything so decadent in my life….so delicious…it’s sinful…lol

Serve your chocolate shortbread with either a nice cup of tea, or better yet, a hot cup of coffee with a shot of rum cream.
It’s your choice….either way it tastes pretty darn good!

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December 13th

Leftovers sometimes get a Bum Rap…!!

Sunday morning and it was time for some shopping.

Seeing as Christmas is just around the corner, I was out the door by 10 am ..and I seemed to have beaten the rush.

This afternoon, I wanted to finish up the decorating, cleaning and getting rid of suitcases that were still full of my sarongs, bathing suits and summer stuff. I never like putting them away…it’s a sign that winter is here.lol…

With our left over prime rib steak from Friday night, ( one good thing about cooking your steak rare…when you cook it up the second time…it still tastes delicious! )

Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches Au Jus….served with sweet potato fries and pickles. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Cut up the sweet potatoes, and preheat the oven to 400. Add oil, and sprinkle with garlic plus, course salt & pepper.

You can use the juice for dipping of the steak sandwich, or you can drizzle gravy on top of the cheese and eat as an open faced!

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December 12th

What a great Saturday!

It started out with a wonderful workout at the gym….then decorating the house and getting the tree trimmed for Christmas.

A few festive drinks and some easy listening tunes, the mood was set for a fun afternoon!

Salmon was on the menu for tonight and we were leaning towards a Thai baked Salmon with grilled vegetables.

This is one of our favorite places to hang out while in Negril, the Canoe Bar & Restaurant and they are famous for their colourful dishes with gorgeous grilled vegetables and potato wedges or pasta salads.

This is our fabulous dish we created tonight …..Orange Ginger Thai Salmon with grilled Asparagus and Peppers. Yummmmm.

Enjoyed with a glass of wine and good conversation reminiscing about our fun times at the Canoe bar.

They have the most delicious and creative foods on their menu….all with an array of grilled veggies and pasta. Fish, chicken….lobster…you name it, they cook it.

Here are some of the colourful dishes we have enjoyed in the past from the Canoe Bar & Restaurant in Negril Jamaica.

The view from the Canoe bar is bar far one of the best around. Sit back in one of the comfy recliners on the beach and watch the day go by.

Ahhhhh….the wonders of Jamaica…

December 11th

A frigid, cold winter day with high winds. But ok…it’s Friday so who cares what it’s like outside.

Steak Friday…and we wanted to do up some Double baked stuffed potatoes….yummmm

A Carnivore’s Delight! Dinner for Two….by Candlight paired with a French Cross Shiraz….

Start with Double Stuffed Baked Potatoes… and go from there…Krusty approved, as you can see

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and then sprinkle with more parmesan and broil for a nice crispy crust!

Oh my….best ever steaks…What a wonderful prime rib steak for two…well, a small rib roast…

Season the meat at least for an hour before cooking. Sit at room temperature.

Bake for a bit, then broil on each side and then bake again until tender. Smother with sauted mushrooms and onions.

Medium rare is the best way to eat a good steak!

But don’t look at this….:) if you are a vegetarian …..CLOSE THE PAGE NOW!!!

The most tender, melt in your mouth steak. Hardly needed a steak knife!

Enjoy your weekend
Christmas will soon be upon us….

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December 10th
I was browsing through my Negril photos and thought I would share this delicious sweet treat. A Jamaican woman pain-stakingly peels the almonds and chops them into small pieces before making this wonderful sweet.

The owner of the Villa where we stayed, saves the ever-falling almonds from the tree which hangs over the patio area.

It is a never ending job of clean-up, sweeping the leaves and picking up the almonds. We would spend time just relaxing on the patio listening to the almonds dropping.

I was lucky enough not to get one on the head….but many did! lol

Last evening’s storm didn’t seem to halt the work day today. No school cancelations but I decided it was a day for me to stay home, rest and try to shake this cold. Many bowls of barley soup later, I am feeling a bit better now. I posted the recipe should you want to cook up a pot of soup.

December 9th

It’s looking good…and smelling and tasting awesome….

Kind of a funny day. I woke up feeling pretty good even though I have been fighting this cold for about 1 week. I thought I felt better today, but after arriving at the office…I went downhill from there…but maintained my business quota and hung in there.

So…I was thinking…I need soup, and I have been thinking about this barley beef mushroom soup for weeks…..lol

Soon come….Jamaican stylee…I am working on it…

December 8th

With the weather getting colder outside, I decided a delicious fresh pineapple would help the PNS…(Post Negril Syndrome).
Missing all the daily fresh fruits from Jamaica, I thought I would warm up the kitchen with a couple of pineapple creations.

Of course, we have to start off with a delicious fruity drink to sip in on while I ponder tonight’s menu.

With chicken thawed in the fridge it was an easy decision for a tangy ‘Sweet & Sour Pineapple chicken dish served on a bed of coconut rice. Yummmmmm definitely a dish you would find in Jamaica.

This is certainly one way to make coming back to a cold winter in Canada….much easier!

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December 7th

Wanted to share this fabulous dinner and entertaining night we had at ‘Bentley’s Crabhouse’ in Negril, Jamaica. We shared a fun night on this deck up a lane off of the West end road.

We chatted with Bentley and visited his place in the afternoon, getting the price set and deciding what our dinner would be.

* Reminder…this place is off the main road, up a lane with lots of Jamaican homes, goats and an abundance of dogs…but boy, a great time for sure…

Looking down the road….from the the deck in the afternoon

We arrived at Bentley’s to meet his father downstairs who was sitting in his underwear, eating a bowl of fish soup. He is a diabetic and had a bandage on his leg, but had a smile on his face, knowing that we were coming back later to have supper upstairs with Bentley.

Fabulous crabcakes with coconut rice, callalloo veggies and homemade coleslaw. We brought our own wine and Bentley finally got it open with a broken corkscrew. ( We bought him a new one before his next guests arrived a few days later )

Here we are after a wonderful candlelight meal in the heart of Negril.

Check out my video of Bentley cooking in his kitchen. Find it on my blogroll… ‘My Youtube ‘ Bentley’s Crabhouse! or at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_24Q14LDD8

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December 6th… First Winter Snowfall of the Season

It’s hard to believe that a week ago, I was on the cliffs of Negril Jamaica, swimming in the warm gorgeous waters of the Caribbean.

Woke today to the beauty of the snow on the ground and dusting the trees around the yard. I took a walk down by the lake with Marley for a little photoshoot…it was simply beautiful.

After our walk I decided on making some Christmas sweets and Double Swirl Almond Bark was my first choice! Yummmmmmmm

All the basics necessary for this delicious chocolate sweet….

And after a short time in the refrigerator, break up the pieces and give with love…to friends and family during the Christmas season.

Winter can be a long haul with cold temps and lots of snow to shovel. It’s a time to spend with family and friends give thanks for another wonderful year.

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December 5th

Would love to be at this concert tonight….

But cooking up this meal today, certainly filled the void….

But…I really think that every good cook and food blogger….needs a clean-up person.

Tonights dinner turned out to be delicious….

Preping and cooking in the kitchen was fun today, listening to Etana who is playing in Negril tonight. Wishing we were there to catch her performance….but instead we will just cook, eat and listen to her awesome vibes.

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Well, I won’t be waking and having coffee to this view today….but I will be having Sangsters

Today’s meal is going to be ‘pork hocks with sauerkraut, apples, red cabbage and new potatoes. My mother used to make this dish and I loved it, she used her pressure cooker, but I have been looking at different recipes and see what works for me.

I think I made it once since I was in my 20’s….so I’m overdue to give this dish a whirl. Stay tuned to see how it turns out

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December 4th

I never miss visiting Just Natural restaurant when I am in Negril. The place is awesome, a wonderful garden setting with the best food around.

The family home sits in the back of this lane with tables and chairs set off to each side amongst the beautiful flowers and gardens.

A great cup of blue mountain coffee with sweetened condensed milk, something I would never have at home, but love here, sets the mood while I wait for my favorite breakfast dish.

Theresa one of the daughters, squeezes the orange juice as you arrive.

I order the Callalloo and cheese omlette with passion fruit, banana and a guava jam with homemade toast…and have never been disappointed.

I love sitting in the gardens at Just Natural while in Negril…it’s the best food going. A vegetarian restaurant, family owned and run with two daughters and a son.

It doesn’t get much better than a wonderful meal at Just Natural.

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December 2nd

Getting back to reality and work, as well as the on coming season of Christmas, all can be very daunting. The biggest decision for the past 11 days in Jamaica with the …’just do what you feel like’ attitude, just eventually all catches up with you.

Today my throat was a bit scratchy….I have been sneezing quite a bit, and all in all, just coming down from our vacation.

I bought a few things at the grocery story on my way home today, but was hankering for a big pot of homemade soup. lol, what else is new. I LOVE SOUP….hahaha…and that is no secret.

I have always wanted to try the ‘Italian Wedding Soup’…so this is my version. I am a tomato lover…and I wanted my base of the soup to be that…..tomato! It tastes so good…..yummmmm….

I was hoping this hot, delicious soup would ward off any unwanted cold.

Pee Wee’s restaurant and bar in Negril Jamaica….fabulous views….

Our first breakfast… “A breakfast for Negril champions.’ A delicious Spanish omlette made by Elvis and delivered over the wall by the cliffside to us. Of course the customary Red Stripe to wash it down. ( Breakfast is close to noon….hahahah…just in case you thought it was early for beer! Never too early in Jamaica ) ** Serve with Clamato juice! **
And…..service comes with a smile.

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December 1st

Inspired by coconuts and these wonderful Jamaican ingredients, I cooked up a delicious Coconut Curried Shrimp dish for supper tonight. I haven’t cooked for over 11 days, so I was looking forward to a nice home cooked meal.

We had lots of fabulous Jamaican dishes in Negril, there are some excellent cooks across the island.

** Will post the recipe later today **

Back home from Jamaica…and it was an awesome trip. Lots of wonderful foods and spending time with great friends. What more could one ask for?

Sorry for not keeping this site up and going while I was away, I had good intentions but I was posting trip reports with pics on Negril.com and that was more than enough to keep me busy while in Negril.

I will post some of the delicious foods that we had during our 11 day stay….but for now, it’s time to get back to reality

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November 18th

It’s finally almost time. Close up shop with my computer….throw the last minute things in the bags as 2:45am comes pretty early!

Always love the first meal in Jamaica, we will probably eat at a few places tomorrow…and share our food. Have a real hankering for some curried goat or chicken with rice and peas and callalloo. Yummmmm

Paula at 3 Dives always has some great food cooking up in the kitchen..

And I always look forward to the first sunset of the trip…. never a bad view from the West end of Negril.

Will promise to post some wonderful foods from my favourite island….Jamaica!

Bye for now….

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November 16th

After a long stroll on the seven mile beach of Negril….it’s always nice to stop at the Treehouse for a much deserved drink…before setting our sights towards the end of the beach.

We try to do this walk a few times during each trip.

I much prefer staying on the cliffs….but I love walking the beach from one end to the other.

Jamaica soon come

Ahhhhh….the excitement never changes as the plane makes the final turn and comes in for a landing at MoBay. The loud thunder of applause as the plane touches down, is an obvious sign that everyone is thrilled to be arriving on the island of Jamaica.

Some newbies arrive who have never experienced this magical place before, many returnies….and lots of Jamaicans coming home to visit their loved ones after being in foreign.

Come follow me when I leave on Thursday 19th, as I experience the food and culture of the Jamaican people for 11 days…yet again!

Enjoy the smiles on these young faces….

One Love….