Traditional Jamaican Food Recipes

By: Sunil Tanna, SITE

Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean. Located in the Greater Antilles chain, it is in fact the most populous English-speaking island in the region. The island is particularly known for its contributions to the fields of literature, music (including ska and reggae), as being the birthplace of the Rastafarian movement, and for its interesting and exciting cuisine.

Many Jamaican dishes make use of spices, and can even be quite fiery. Jamaican dishes are not only eaten in Jamaica itself, but also have been taken overseas, particularly to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom by Jamaica emigrants - and as a result become known in those countries too.

The most famous of Jamaican dishes are probably jerk dishes. These are meat (or nowadays also fish or even tofu) that has been prepared by marinading in a mixture of hot spices (principally pimento and Scotch bell peppers) before cooking. Jerk dishes are often cooked over a charcoal barbecue grill, but when this is not possible they can be cooked in a normal kitchen oven. In Jamaica itself, the traditional meats for jerk are goat meat or pork, but overseas you may perhaps more commonly encounter jerk chicken.

There are many other Jamaican dishes that you may also want to try. These include saltfish and ackee (salted cod together with ackee which is a kind of fruit - but note, ackee must be properly prepared, as if not properly prepared it is poisonous), fried plantains, and curried goat. If you are looking for a taste of the exotic or enjoy spicy food, why not try Jamaican cuisine?

Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Lettuce Fresh

By Anitra Jordan

Many times we go to our local supermarket or farmer's market to stock up on fresh vegetables. In a matter of a few days, lettuce can become wilted or worse...slimy. Here are five ways to keep your lettuce fresh for that delicious salad recipe you want to make for lunch or dinner.

1. The Tupperware Fridgesmart

Tupperware Fridgesmart is a container that you can store your vegetables in and makes them last even longer. These containers have two special holes that you leave open or closed depending on the specific vegetable. Store your lettuce in the Tupperware Fridgesmart and you will be amazed how long your lettuce lasts!

2. Zip Lock Plastic Bags

After washing your lettuce, shake the excess water off and lay the lettuce flat on a few paper towels. Place the wrapped lettuce in a Zip Lock plastic bag and the lettuce should last for the next 7-10 days. Just grab the lettuce when you need it!

3. Never use metal

Using a metal pan to store your lettuce just speeds up "the spoiled lettuce" process. Be sure to use a plastic bag or container for storage.

4. Only buy the head!

Bagged lettuce is sometimes already spoiled once it reaches the shelf. It has already be washed, cut and sealed. The lettuce is no longer preserved in its natural form. By buying a head of lettuce, it has been hydrated at the supermarket and is still preserved. All you would have to do is wash and store it yourself.

5. Use the crisper in your refrigerator.

The crisper in your refrigerator is not for beer...it is for vegetables! Store your lettuce in the crisper and it will stay fresher. No more wilted or slimy lettuce.