Jamaican rice and peas and Jerk Chicken recipe

Rice and Peas

Ingredients
2 cups parboiled rice
1/2 cup red peas, dried or canned
1 packet of coconut milk powder, or 1/2 can coconut milk
1 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk scallion (crushed)
1 sprig thyme
1/4 tsp pimento (all spice)
pinch of black pepper
1 whole green scotch bonnet pepper (jabanero)
1/2 tsp ginger (optional)


Directions
Boil peas in cold water until tender. Pour off stock from peas and measure. Add enough water and coconut milk/coconut milk powder to make 4 cups of liquid, and add to peas.

If you are using canned peas, there is no need to cook them beforehand. Just add the four cups of liquid as described above.

To the mixture of peas, water and coconut milk, add all the seasonings and spices. Allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the rice to this mixture, and stir well. Increase flame until liquid boils. Then reduce heat and cover. Simmer until rice grains are tender. Try not to stir again as this will make the rice sticky.

Jamaican rice and peas is good with any kind of chicken, pork and beef, as well as curry goat, steamed fish,and the list goes on. You don't even need meat to enjoy it, and the peas provide protein, so it's nutritious all on its own.

Jerk Chicken

Ingredients
1 tablespoon Ground allspice
1 tablespoon Dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Ground sage
3/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons Garlic powder or fresh
1 tablespoon Sugar
1/4 cup Olive oil
1/4 cup Soy sauce
3/4 cup White Vinegar
1/2 cup Orange juice
1 Lime juice
1 Scotch bonnet pepper (habanero)
3 Green onions -- finely chopped
1 cup Onion -- finely chopped
4 to 6 chicken breasts

Directions
Seed and finely chop Scotch Bonnet pepper.

Trim chicken of fat. In a large bowl, combine the allspice, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, sage, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, garlic powder and sugar. With a wire whisk, slowly add the olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, orange juice, and lime juice.
Add the Scotch Bonnet pepper, onion, and mix well. Add the chicken breasts, cover and marinate for at least 1 hour, longer if possible.
Preheat an outdoor grill.
Remove the breasts from the marinade and grill for 6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. While grilling, baste with the marinade. Bring the leftover marinade to a boil and serve on the side for dipping.

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Caribbean Coconut Loaf

Carribean coconut loaf is better known in the caribbean as "sweat bread" it is extremely popular and has a great and very unique taste!


Ingredients•4 cups self raising flour
2 cups grated coconut (approx 3/4 of a package or 1 small dried cocnut)
1 cup shortening or margarine (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup warm water or milk
1 tsp vanilla/mixed essence
1 tsp almond essence (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground spice
1 tsp nutmeg (optional)
raisins (approx 1 small handful) (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees f and grease 1 large or 2 small loaf pans with shortening.

2. Gather ingredients together in large bowl and using your hands, mix together well until batter is firm but sticky.
3. Fill baking pans and sprinkle with white sugar. Mixture should fill 3/4 of baking pan.
4. Bake approx 45 mins or until top of bread has begun to look brown

How To Shop Your Closet and Create Something That Works For You

SIMPLE STEPS ON HOW TO SHOP YOUR CLOSET!
Step 1: Pick your eight best pieces
Step 2: Lay your choices out on the floor
Step 3: Pick your basics
Step 4: Make a list of what's missing
Step 5: Create outfits and try them on--shoes and all!
Step 6: Choose a handbag
Step 7: Accessorize!
Step 8: Snap the looks *for future reference*
scroll down for a detailed how to: shop your closet


Shop Your Closet *Detailed*


•Given the state of the current economy, most women don't have money to buy too many new clothes. But, every woman has a hidden boutique in her own closet.

•Women can easily become confused when they have too many clothes in their closet, so editing is key. Have a BFF (best friend in fashion) whose style you admire go through your closet with you and help you decide what to use and what to lose. Let go of pieces that are outdated, the wrong size, or unflattering for your skin tone and body type. Imagine your closet as the perfectly edited boutique where every item fits and flatters just you.

•Don't get hung up on items you know shouldn't be hanging in your closet anymore. Simply keep them as mementos instead of wearing them. Or, think of fresh new ways to work them into your life, like making it into a pillowcase, blanktet or even wrapping your organizers with it.

•Make a "maybe" pile of things you might be able to re-work with minor alterations or update with new items. Such as adding a belt and some acccsories to a simple dress.

•Pull and try on different combos like you would in a store.

•Once you have edited down your closet, its time for the fun part - make a list of new items you need to complete your wardrobe. Have an event coming up? Need more clothes that work for day or night? Head to the stores with a list of what you really need and start shopping! You will buy much less than you would in the past. Smarter choices = smarter style.


Organize Your Closet


•Organize your closet by category and color so you can see exactly what you have. Once you do, you'll become inspired and find new ways of putting different pieces together and creating new outfits.



•Women don't run out of clothes, they run out of ideas. You might be surprised to find that the more organized your closet is, typically the more organized your life will be. Set your closet up like a mini boutique.


•If you can't SEE those shoes or that top, you'll forget about it. Remember, out of site, out of mind.


•If you don't have a lot of room in your closet, think about using boxes and containers with pictures of the item(s) on the front of the container.


•Investing in matching hangers will really make you smile when opening your closet door.


•Try finding items in your household you may no longer use as organizers. For instance, wrap your belts around an old vase or hang your jewelry in a way that showcases each piece and helps you remember it's there. Put them together in a way that inspires you to create new looks.

Stretch Your Wardrobe


•Get more style miles out of your spring wardrobe by only purchasing exactly what you need. Do some homework before you head to the stores. Look up your favorite brands' websites to get a feel for what's available, on sale, or for styling ideas.


•When you get to the stores, look for versatile items. Don't worry about buying head-to-toe outfits. Think about purchasing individual items that can be worn different ways. In other words, pieces you can wear from the desk to dinner or from work into the weekend. Layering pieces are great, like lightweight cardigans, that can be stretched from one look to the next. I love blazers with skinny jeans and a pair of cute pumps or try a flirty skirt with a serious top and belt *stick to one color palette*! Belts on just about anything - from jackets and sweaters, to blouses and coats too. Wide or thin.

•a new way to change up your LBD (little black dress) add a broach and/or some wild heels.


•One great way to stretch what you already have is to take pictures of the looks you get complimented on, creating your own mini look book. It might give you new ideas to wear what you already own. Flip through magazines for inspiration and tear out your favorites. For example, a photo of a celebrity whose style you admire wearing dark jeans, a white button down, and a navy blazer can easily translate into a look you might have in your closet.