Jamaican

My friend Michelle is coming up to visit me-- I am so excited! Michelle shares my interest in international cuisine, especially Jamaican food. I am going to prepare an entire Jamaican spread to welcome her with. It is going to be delicious and a perfect tropical feast for the end of the summer!

I remember my first time visiting Jamaica. Two things stand out in my mind the most; The first is walking through the waterfalls at Dunn's River near Ocho Rios. The second... rum everywhere! I remember ladies shoving rum shots in my face trying to get me to sample it, which is hilarious because I was, like, 15! My folks grabbed my arm and yanked me away before I could sample any, but I understand why they were so invested in having people try their rum-- it is among the best in the world.

I haven't seen my friend Michelle in a such long time. When we get together, it is usually cosmopolitans, movies, and tons of laughs! This time, I am replacing the cosmos with a fabulous cocktail that I have created incorporating the flavors of Jamaica with their rum. I'm calling it a "Jamaican Mangotini". I am pouring mango juice, Jamaican rum, Grand Marnier, and the squeeze of a lime into a shaker filled with ice and straining it into a chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar that has a hint of cayenne pepper mixed in. It is an AMAZING cocktail that is a little spicy and sweet!

As a snack, I am putting a Jamaican twist on the typical "chips and salsa" by making crunchy plantain chips with mango salsa. Plantains look like bananas but are more similar to a potato. Instead of pan frying them so that they are still soft in the middle, I am making them like you would fry chips-- nice and crunchy! My mango salsa recipe is to die for and can can go with just about anything... she'll love it!

Then I'm firing up the grill to make a Jamaican classic: Jerk chicken and pork. Jerk sauce is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy and savory flavors by combining ingredients like orange juice, brown sugar, chili, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, etc. I am marinating chicken and pork skewers in my homemade Jamaican Jerk marinade overnight for maximum flavor. It is the best jerk marinade EVER-- you have to try it! I will be serving the skewers over the national dish of Jamaica: the "Jamaica Coat of Arms", which is rice cooked with onion in coconut milk and mixed with beans. It sounds simple, but it is uniquely delicious and as authentic of a dish as you can make. It has become one of my favorites.

I can't wait to pop in the Bob Marley CD, fire up the grill and enjoy great Jamaican food and drinks with my friend Michelle! We are going to have a great time!