About me

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 On Jamaican Cookery 

Authentic Island Flavours from My Kitchen to Yours

Welcome to Jamaican Cookery, your home for authentic, traditional, and home-style recipes straight from the heart of Jamaica.

My name is Rushell, and I created this blog to preserve the rich culinary heritage of my island. Growing up in Jamaica, I learned that cooking isn't just about following a recipe, it’s about the "rub-up" of seasonings, the smell of fresh pimento and scotch bonnet, and the techniques passed down through generations.

Why Jamaican Cookery?

There are many "Caribbean-style" recipes online, but here at jamaicancookery.com, I focus on the real thing. Whether it’s explaining why we call it "French Fried" chicken (even when it’s made in the oven!) or showing you the proper way to season a pot of Rice and Peas, my goal is to provide:

  • Lived Experience: These aren't just recipes I found online; these are the dishes I cook for my family every day.

  • Traditional Techniques: I share the specific methods that give Jamaican food its world-famous soul and flavor.

  • Honest Ingredients: I focus on the real herbs and spices used in Jamaican households.

My Mission

I believe that anyone, anywhere in the world, should be able to taste the magic of Jamaica. I created this space to document my culinary journey and to ensure that our traditional cooking methods, like my signature Oven French Fried Chicken remain accessible to everyone.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep the fire burning and the pot bubbling!

Popular posts from this blog

Jamaica Market Prices January 2026

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The new year brings a sigh of relief for Jamaican households. After the record-breaking "crisis prices" of late 2025 , we are finally seeing a downward trend in the cost of essential vegetables. While the political climate in Jamaica remains divided and some may hesitate to acknowledge any "good news, the reality at the market stalls is clear: your dollar is stretching further this week than it did last month.  Top Price Drops: Vegetables & Greens The most dramatic changes are seen in leafy greens and salad favorites. These prices have tumbled from the highs seen during the October–December 2025 period. Lettuce: Now $200/lb (Massive drop from $1,500–$2,000/lb ). Sweet Pepper : Steadying at $800/lb (Coming down from $1,200–$2,000/lb ). Tomato: Now $300/lb (Was $800–$1,500/lb ). Cucumber: Now $100/lb (Was $400/lb ). Cabbage: Now $300/lb (Was $400–$1,000/lb ). Carrot & Beetroot: Both holding at $300/lb (Down from $700–$800/lb ).  The "Melissa" ...
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The True Traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer Recipe

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This is the true traditional Jamaican Ginger Beer recipe . Ginger Beer is the established, proper name for the drink, regardless of whether it is fizzy or not. Traditional Jamaican homemade ginger beer is not a soda, and it is not fizzy. The name of a traditional item is not determined by its chemistry (like the presence of CO₂ or alcohol), but by its history and cultural significance within the community. Ginger Beer and Sorrel Drink were traditionally Jamaican Christmas beverages, along with Rum Punch. However, somewhere along the line, Ginger Beer faded out, leaving Sorrel and Rum Punch as the main two. Growing up, during the Christmas season, my mother would buy a large bag of ginger maybe about 20 lbs. directly from the farmer. We would sit down for hours washing the ginger because of the dirt. Then we would lightly peel it because, according to my mother, the skin has yeast, which helps the ginger beer taste good; therefore, she didn’t want all the skin removed. Adding lime j...
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Jamaican Original Rice and Peas Without Coconut Milk

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  Jamaican Traditional Rice and Peas Without Coconut Milk Rice and peas was traditionally eaten only on Sundays and Wednesdays in Jamaica. Nowadays, it is eaten any day of the week. Red kidney beans are called peas in Jamaica. Do we call all beans peas? No, only red kidney beans. A lot of people do not know that coconut milk is not used in the original rice and peas recipe. Traditionally, it was a margarine that we call pound butter put into rice and peas. The idea of using coconut milk comes from the Rastafarian community they have a love affair with coconuts and put the milk into almost everything they cook. Eventually, everyone started to put coconut milk into rice and peas and the original recipe was forgotten. A lot of people say red kidney beans should be soaked before cooking else it will cause gas and poison. I am here to tell you that’s not Jamaican culture. Soaking red peas is a preference that doesn't have anything to do with gas or poison. I personally have ...
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