Jamaican Cookery

Homemade Jamaican Easter Bun The Quick Baking Powder Method – No Yeast Required! It is almost Easter , and in Jamaica, the season simply isn't complete without bun and cheese . If you're living abroad and can't find a store-bought bun, this homemade version is your answer. While traditional buns use yeast, this baking powder version is faster, moist, and tastes just as authentic! Dry Ingredients 3 cups All-purpose flour 1 ½ tsp Baking powder ½ tsp Salt ½ tsp Mixed spice ½ tsp Cinnamon powder 1 cup Raisins Wet Mixture 1 bottle Dragon Stout ½ cup Malta ½ cup Brown sugar 1-2 tbsp Molasses 2 Eggs (beaten) 2 tbsp Gu...

Jamaican Custard Apple Milkshake This thick, creamy, and naturally sweet Jamaican-style custard apple drink is a refreshing tropical treat. With hints of nutmeg and vanilla, it captures the authentic flavors of the island without any added sugar. Prep: 10 mins Total: 10 mins Servings: 1-2 Cuisine: Jamaican Ingredients 1 large Custard Apple (approx. 2 lbs) 1 cup Water (distilled or filtered) 1 tsp Vanilla flavoring ½ tsp Grated nutmeg (freshly grated is best) Instructions Prepare the Fruit: Carefully remove the skin from the custard apple, keeping the fleshy pulp and seeds intact. Blend: Place the pulp and seeds into a blender. Add 1 cup of water. Pulse or "whip" briefly just to loosen the pulp from the seeds. *Note: Do not over-blend; you want the seeds to remain whole. Strain: Pour ...

This refreshing, iron-rich green drink is designed for maximum nutrient absorption. Follow these steps to prepare the leaves properly and ensure your body gets the most benefit from the natural iron content. Recipe: Callaloo Iron Booster Drink Ingredients ✅ Callaloo Leaves: Freshly picked and thoroughly cleaned. ✅ Ginger: One small piece (for taste and potassium). ✅ Filtered Water: Enough to barely cover the leaves. ✅ Ice: For serving. ✅ Vitamin C Source: A tomato, orange, or West Indian cherry (essential!). Preparation Sanitize the Leaves: Soak leaves in salted water for 10 minutes to remove microscopic insect eggs. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Chop: Chop the cleaned leaves into smaller pieces for easier blending. Directions Combine: Place callaloo and ginger into the blender. Add Water: Pour in ...

Most people are familiar with the deep red or “black” Jamaican apples, but if you ever come across the white variety at the market, don’t pass it up. They’re less common, but their delicate, floral sweetness is something special, many would say even better than the regular red ones. For this juice, we’re keeping things light, crisp, and visually clean, no brown sugar to darken the color or weigh down the flavor. The goal is that beautiful, milky finish with a bright, refreshing taste. Watch How to Make Jamaican White Otaheite Apple Juice See exactly how to blend, strain, and get that perfect milky finish. Ingredients 8–10 White Otaheite Apples (seeded and chopped) 1–2 inches Fresh Ginger (peeled and sliced, adjust to taste) 4–6 cups Water White Sugar to taste (start with 1/4 cup) Ice (for serving) Instructions Prep the Apples: Wash thoroughly, remove the seed, and chop. Leave the skin on to keep that ...

  If you’ve ever strolled through the aisles at PriceSmart or sat down for a meal at Murray’s , you’ve likely seen those thick, gourmet sausages. They are a far cry from the tinned sausages many of us grew up with. With prices starting around $2000 per dozen (depending on the size), they are definitely a premium treat. While these sausages are incredibly popular, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m a bit "thin-skinned" when it comes to the casing literally! I usually find myself removing the meat from the casing before I even start cooking. Plus, because it is a processed meat, I’m always mindful of the nitrates used for preservation. It’s one of those things I enjoy in moderation. However, for the food lovers and the curious cooks, understanding how these sausages are actually put together is fascinating. There is a real craft to getting that texture and flavor profile just right. What’s Really Inside? In my latest video, "How Sausage is Made: A Step-by-Step Guide...

Before Hurricane Melissa In Jamaica, green bananas have always been an affordable and essential staple. Before Hurricane Melissa hit on October 28, 2025, prices were very reasonable. In many markets, green bananas started at $200 per dozen . Sometimes it was even cheaper to buy a small bunch instead of a dozen, especially for large families. A small bunch with about three hands of bananas could cost around $500 , usually giving more than a dozen bananas. Many Jamaicans preferred buying them this way because it stretched the food budget further. After the Hurricane Since the hurricane, prices have risen sharply. The hand of bananas shown in the photo above is more than a dozen and costs $1000 . Even though more bananas are returning to markets, many higglers are still reluctant to lower the price. Green Banana in Jamaican Cuisine Green bananas are not just fruit in Jamaica, they are a true staple in Jamaican cooking . One of the most famous breakfast dishes is boiled ...

  The finished product: perfectly moist and ready to serve with rice or in a wrap Jamaican-Style Shredded Chicken (Recipe Card) Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients For simmering the chicken 2 lb. chicken, cut into 4 pieces 2 scallions, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed 2 sprigs thyme 1 hot pepper ½ tsp salt Water (enough to cover chicken) For frying the shredded chicken ½ onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 sweet pepper, chopped 1 hot pepper, chopped (optional) ½ tsp Maggi All Purpose seasoning ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning ¼ tsp black pepper 1–2 tbsp ketchup 1 tbsp cooking oil Instructions Add chicken to a pot with scallion, onion, garlic, thyme, hot pepper, salt, and enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Do not boil hard. Simmer for about 50 minutes , or until the chicken is tender. ...