Jamaican Cookery

Jamaicans gather for Watch Night Service on December 31, blending prayer, tradition, and the anticipation of the New Year December 31 in Jamaica is more than just New Year’s Eve, it is a night filled with tradition, fear, faith, and reflection. As the year comes to an end, many Jamaicans approach this day with caution, prayer, and deep awareness that anything can happen. From Watch Night church services to radio stations replaying the biggest hits from recent years, this is how Jamaica truly rings in the New Year. Why December 31 Is Serious in Jamaica For many Jamaicans, December 31 holds deep meaning. So much so that a lot of people are afraid to leave their homes, fearing that something bad might happen. Others have no choice but to humble themselves and ask the Almighty for mercy and protection as the old year closes. It is a day when people reflect on life, losses, survival, and hope especially in communities where violence and uncertainty are part of daily reality. Radio Hits and ...

  Jamaican sweet potato pudding is my grandmother’s Christmas cake . She doesn’t eat Jamaican black Christmas cake, so sweet potato pudding was always her thing. She used to add rum and raisins, and she never stray from the old-time method    hell a top, hell a bottom, hallelujah in the middle . That means fire (hell) coal on top, fire at the bottom, and the pudding (hallelujah) right in the middle. A piece of thin zinc goes on top with hot coal, and the pudding bakes slow and steady. That is the traditional Jamaican way , and my granny stick to it straight. These days, plenty Jamaicans (myself included) bake pudding in the oven most times. But for this sweet potato pudding, I baked it on a coal stove , just like old time. This recipe is sweet potato pudding without yam . No rum, no raisins — that part comes down to personal preference. For best results, always use yellow-flesh sweet potatoes , which are dry. The orange-flesh ones are too watery and can affect the tex...

  In Jamaica, there are two varieties of curry: regular yellow curry and Indian curry. I used Indian curry, therefore my curry chicken colour is duller and not bright yellow. Curry Burn vs No Curry Burn (For Readers Outside Jamaica) In Jamaica, burning the curry means briefly frying the curry powder in hot oil for a second or two before adding the meat. This is traditionally done to wake up the spices and deepen the flavour. However, not everyone burns their curry. In my case, unburnt curry causes serious stomach issues, which is why I personally avoid curry dishes cooked this way. For this recipe, I did not burn the curry because it does not affect my husband’s stomach. Both methods are authentically Jamaican, it simply comes down to preference, tolerance, and who you’re cooking for. Oh, by the way, doctors can’t figure out why curry affects my tummy if it isn’t burnt. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20–25 minutes Serves: 1 Ingredients 1 lb. chicken (half of a 2 lb. chic...

Fluffy vanilla sponge cake Easy Vanilla Sponge Cake (Basic Recipe) Prep Time: 15 minutes Baking Time: 25–35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 8 slices Ingredients 5 eggs 3/4 cup (180 ml) sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp butter, melted 1 tsp vanilla extract Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) . Butter and flour a round cake pan or a 9-inch springform pan . Set aside. Place a stainless-steel bowl over a saucepan filled with gently simmering water. Add eggs and sugar to the bowl and beat for about 5 minutes , or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and continue beating until the mixture cools slightly. Set aside. In a separate bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula or whisk. Gently fold in melted butter and vanilla extract. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25–35 minutes , or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven. Run a knife around th...

Stinking toe fruit cracked open to reveal the powdery pulp Jamaican children used to eat Stinking toe is a fruit in Jamaica , known worldwide as West Indian locust. The Jamaican stinking toe fruit is originally native to Central and South America, especially Brazil and the Amazon basin. It spread throughout the Caribbean, including Jamaica, where it became part of local food culture. As children, we used a rock stone (a small rock) to crack open the pod, then stopped our breath to eat the sweet, powdery pulp inside. The pulp smells really awful like a dirty sock hence the name stinking toe . Before eating it, we would always make sure to have a cup of water nearby because it was said if it choked us while eating, we would have to eat hog feces in order not to die. Of course, as children, we believed that. Children nowadays do not eat stinking toe. It is mostly now pushed as a healthy fruit, said to be rich in iron, vitamin A, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and fibre. It is ...

 If you are looking for the best Jamaican curry goat recipe , you must understand this first: it all starts with the meat . In Jamaica, ram goat is the preferred choice.  Home-cooked Ram Goat with authentic Indian Curry Below, you’ll see the rich, deep colour of a slow-simmered curry made with authentic Indian curry powder, fresh ginger, and pimento . This isn’t just food—it’s tradition . Curry goat requires patience, the right bone-in cuts (like neck and ribs), and a perfect side of soft roti to soak up every drop of gravy. I used Island Spice Indian curry , which has a duller, darker colour compared to regular curry powders like Betapac or Easispice , but the flavour is deep and authentic.  Prep Time 15 minutes  Cook Time 1 hour  Servings 4  Ingredients Meat 2 lbs ram goat meat (ribs cut into medium pieces) Seasoning ½ tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tbsp Maggi All-Purpose seasoning 1 tsp Badia Complete seasoning 1 tsp Old Bay ...

For this version, of Jamaican traditional rice porridge I used Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk from Shoppers Fair. It costs a bit more than the regular Betty or Nestlé milk (about $500 JMD vs $300 JMD), but the flavour is incredible. Because it’s coconut-based, this traditional Jamaican staple is now perfect for my vegan friends and anyone avoiding dairy! Quick Stats Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Serves: 3 people Dietary: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Ingredients 9-10 oz White Rice: Washed until the water runs clear. 4 cups Water: For the initial boil. 2-3 Cinnamon Leaves: To infuse the water with that authentic "bush" aroma. ½ cup Coconut Milk: Freshly squeezed or canned for the base. Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk: Added to taste (this is your sweetener and thickener). A splash of Vanilla flavouring. A pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness. Freshly Grated Nutmeg: For the signature topping. Instructions 1. Infuse the Flavor Put your water and c...

 Explore the traditions of Jamaican cookery and Saturday morning breakfast culture. From the 90s nostalgia of salted mackerel and bush mint tea to the modern convenience of a Juicy Beef patty and hominy corn porridge, see how a Jamaican home cook balances tradition with a busy market morning. The 90s Saturday: A Scented Memory Growing up in the 90s, Saturday mornings had a specific "scent." You didn’t need an alarm clock; you just needed to smell the neighborhood. As soon as my mother returned from her early market run, the kitchen came alive. There was always a pot of salted mackerel simmering, served with heavy "food" boiled dumplings, green bananas, and sweet potatoes. And we didn't use tea bags! It was real bush mint (proper peppermint) picked fresh and steeped into a fragrant tea. Walking outside, you’d smell the same thing coming from every neighbor's house. It was a time of deep pride in home-cooked, authentic Jamaican breakfast.  The Reality of a M...

While Boxing Day is a tradition shared across the Commonwealth, its history in Jamaica is deeply tied to local community life. Historically known for charity and leftovers, it evolved into 'Rum Head Day' a vibrant, high-energy day of social gathering and restorative goat soup. Understanding Boxing Day Jamaica history requires looking past the calendar to the bars and kitchens where the true culture lived." Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is officially a Commonwealth tradition that dates back to England. Historically, it was the day when leftovers from the Christmas feast were boxed up and sent to the alms house places that cared for the elderly and the poor, especially those abandoned by their families. In Jamaica, these places later became known as infirmaries, run by the government. Watch video here But in Jamaica, Boxing Day took on a life of its own. Growing up, Boxing Day wasn’t really about leftovers or charity. It was about rum head day, a day when people let l...