A Jamaican Christmas

Roast Chicken INGREDIENTS ■ 1 3lb whole chicken, giblets removed ■ salt and black pepper to taste ■ 1/2 cup margarine, divided ■ 1 stalk celery, leaves removed ■ 1 stalk scallion ■ 1 large onion ■ 1 sprig thyme ■ 1tsp Mrs Dash ■ 1tbs mushroom soy sauce 1/4 ripe scotch bonnet pepper METHOD: 1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). 2. Thoroughly wash chicken in water and lime juice. Chop finely or grind all seasoning together, then place chicken in a roasting pan and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Sprinkle inside and out with Mrs Dash seasoning or THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16, 20 20 | www.jamaica-glea ner.com | NEWS 10 T HE ALL-IMPORTANT Christmas dinner – Jamaican style – is simply not complete without sorrel, greengungopeas and rice, roast chickenor turkey, roast beef, honeyglazed hamand, of course, Christmas cake! Togetyoustartedifyouareanewbie,ortokeepthe goodvibesflowingthroughoutyourdinnerpartyhere aretherecipesforsomeofthekeyitemsonthemenu. amid the gloom and despair brought about by the pandemic. This year, more than ever, has shown us how important it is to value and cherish our loved ones. Our celebration this year also takes place against the backdrop of a new normal which has seen the need for social dis- tancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), global travel restrictions, virtual classrooms and working environments. Notwithstanding these new circum- stances, our commitment to maintain our bonds remains firmly rooted, as seen through our adoption of creative virtual solutions, including this very platform. This most certainly further underscores the resilience and ingenuity of the Jamaican people. Indeed, as I convey this message to you, I do so with an awareness of the numerous initiatives that have been undertaken to assist Jamaicans in the United States and back home in Jamaica. For instance, the COVID-19 Jamaica Telethon: TogetherWe Stand, raised over JA$53 million dollars to- wards procuring PPE needed for our front- line workers; as well as the consulate’s role in providingmuch-needed assistance to the numerous Jamaicans who were stranded throughout the United States during the peak of the pandemic. The year is almost over but the residual effects of the global pandemic are still being felt, even within the traditional classrooms. This has called for remote learning systems to be implemented, to ensure that all students remain academi- cally engaged. Upon learning of the mag- nitude of the challenges being faced by our children, the consulate launched its Tablet and Laptop Initiative, on 19th November 2020. This initiative is in sup- port of the Government’s project proposal: ‘A Device for Every Child – Bridging the Digital Divide’. It gives me much pleasure to report at this festive time that, thanks to the generous support and sacrifice from our Diaspora and Friends of Jamaica, we have managed to raise over US$120,000 towards the initiative. This benevolence is truly reflective of the spirit of giving which is characteristic of our traditional Christmas celebration. In this regard, over 1,100 students will be afforded the oppor- tunity to experience this special Christmas gift. The gap, however, remains quite large, given that the total number of students being targeted under this initiative is 100,000. Your partnership in this regard is most critical to see to it that no child is left behind for the New Year. As Jamaicans, we recognise that love, joy and peace remain important ingredients for fulfilling the purpose of Christmas. Let us, therefore, recommit to fully embracing the true meaning of our Jamaican spirit, by giving with love, and by being good neighbours, countrymen and women. Frommy heart and that of all members of staff at the consulate, we wish for you good health, continued happiness and peace this holiday season. Have a Merry Christmas and a Fantastic New Year! One Love! Alsion RoachWilson, OD Consulate General of Jamaica NewYork PEACE CONTINUED FROM 8 DINNER Gungo Peas &Rice INGREDIENTS ■ 1 cup gungo peas ■ 11/2 cups coconut milk ■ 2 cups rice ■ 3 sprigs thyme ■ 2 stalks scallion3 cloves garlic ■ 1 Scotch bonnet peppe ■ 5-10 pimento seeds ■ 1oz margarine ■ Salt to taste METHOD: 1. Wash gungo peas and drain. 2. Place gungo and garlic in a large pot then cover with water. Bring to boil until tender, topping up water as necessary. 3. Add coconut milk, thyme, scallion, pimento seeds, garlic, salt and let boil for about five minutes. 4. Add rice, margarine and whole pepper, cover pot, reduce heat and let rice simmer slowly for about 25-30 minutes. 5. Do not open or stir rice during this process or it will become sticky. 6. Serve hot. Sorrel INGREDIENTS ■ 2lbs sorrel ■ 2-4oz ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks ■ 2 quarts water ■ sugar to taste ■ White rum (optional) ■ A three-inch strip dried orange peel ■ Itsp pimento grains or cloves METHOD: 1. Wash sorrel thoroughly, using the fingers to lift it from the water. 2. Put into stainless steel container. 3. Scrape and wash ginger. Grate and add to the sorrel. Add pimento grains. 4. Boil water and pour over sorrel. 5. Allow to stand 4-6 hours, then strain. 6. Sweeten to taste and add rum to taste. 7. Add optional wine. 8. Serve with ice cubes. Christmas Cake INGREDIENTS ■ 8oz butter ■ 8oz sugar ■ 2tbsp browning (or caramelised sugar) ■ 1lb flour ■ 1tsp baking powder ■ 1/2 tsp salt ■ 1 tsp cinnamon ■ 1/2 tsp mixed spice ■ 1tsp vanilla ■ finely grated rind of one lime/lemon ■ 4 eggs ■ 1 cup wine ■ 1lb raisins (chopped) ■ Rind from one small orange ■ 4oz prunes (chopped) METHOD: 1. Soak fruits (in wine for at least 3 weeks) or boil them in the wine. 2. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour round cake pan. 3. Cream butter, sugar and browning 4. Beat eggs and wine together. Add egg mixture to creamed butter mixture and blend well 5. Add fruits and flour and fold in, don’t over beat the mixture. 6. Bake for 1 and 1/2 hours. PLEASE SEE DINNER, 31 JAMAICAN CHRISTMAS CHRI TMAS FEATURE THE WEEKLY GLEAN R | D CEMBER 10, 2020 - JANUARY 9, 2021 | www .jamaica-gle ner. om | CHRIS TMAS FEATURE THE W EKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10, 20 - JANUARY 9, 2021 | w.jamaica-gleaner.com | CHR ISTMAS FEATUR