Stush Gyal Dukunu

Hey World! :)

Just wanted to show you some Dukunu i made the other day. Some folks from church laughed at me so hard when i shared with them, that i make Dukunu in foil ^_^. Maybe one day i'll try the banana leaf version but for now 'just pass mi ma foil paper'. This really should be a recipe everyone knows, especially those among us having it hard to provide for their children because it can really "stop gap" (fill you up when you are hungry). You know what, I think i'll post the recipe soon. 

Restaurant Week 2014 Diary Entry 2

Hey World!:)

My second stop for Restaurant Week 2014 was the Regency Bar & Lounge located at Terra Nova Hotel (Kingston, Jamaica). I made reservations for 1 pm and went for their lunch menu, as they were apart of the Nyam and Scram section of Restaurant Week. On the menu was the Lobster Mac and Cheese and their Oxtail Tart, you had the option to choose which you preferred to have.

 Lobster Mac & Cheese
Served with Fresh Salad and Garlic Bread

The Lobster Mac and Cheese had visible chunks of lobster, which was a good thing. The mac and cheese was cheesy and nicely flavourful with a crispy topping.

In my head, i thought the Mac and Cheese would be small but oh my word was i wrong! I was full midway through my dish but it was just too good to stop and being the foodie i am, i finished it! ^_^ Don't judge me.

Oxtail Tart

Served with Fresh Salad

Now listen, this Oxtail Tart has boneless properly seasoned tender oxtail with spinners (i love spinners) and beans in a tart shell atop some mashed potato.

Dessert Shots

Trifle Shot (L) and White Chocolate Mousse (R)

The Trifle Shot had rum cake at the bottom with some cherry filling, fruit, white chocolate and whipped cream topped with a cherry. The other was a nice smooth white chocolate mousse with cherry filling, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

The staff was incredibly friendly which i appreciated. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch! Thanks so much Regency.

Restaurant Week 2014 Diary Entry 1

Hey World!

This unapologetic foodie is so elated that Restaurant Week 2014 is here & has begun in Jamaica. This year to start off RW2014, my girls & I decided to have some good authentic Italian cuisine. So we made reservations, got dressed and made our way to Caffé da Vinci located in Marketplace (Kingston, Jamaica).

I must say that it was a lovely culinary experience; we had an amazing time. The food was great and the staff was courteous. To start off the night with Antipasti (appetizers), i begun with the Aragosta alla Catalana (Lobster Salad), two of my friends had the Minestrone Soup (Shrimp & Vegetable Soup) and another friend had the Pork Meatballs. Ooops we didn't take a photo of the soup but according to my girls it was delicious albeit filled with a lot of diced vegetables.

 Antipasti: Aragosta alla Catalana 

Lobster Salad

Antipasti: Pork Meatballs

Now time for the main course:

Entrée: Filetto di Maiale in Salsa di Senape 

Pork Tenderloin in Mustard Sauce

 Entrée: Spaghetti di Mare 

Seafood Pasta

Entrée: Filetto di Manzo Panna e Funghi

Beef Tenderloin in Cream Sauce & Mushroom

(Look ya now! Yuh si dis beef in mushroom sauce? Dis did SHAAAAT & imma def go back for this but imma have it with some pasta!!!!! #UnapologeticFoodie)

Dessert: Dolce & Banana

Warm Banana flambé Bread Pudding served with Vanilla Ice Cream

(Three of us opted for this and it was truly delicious!!)

Dessert: Tiramisu

Twas a fab night!

Courteous staff.
Delicious food.
Good wine selection.
Lovely decor (inside).
Clean environment both inside and outside in the Courtyard.
All in all, a great experience guaranteed.

My only complain is that they did nothing special for our birthday like other restaurants we have been to while celebrating our birthdays during restaurant week.



For more information you can view Caffé da Vinci's webpage. You can follow them on Facebook here or on Instagram here.

Upgrade My Patty

Hey World! :)

 Just another day when i decide to disobey etiquette and take pics of the food i eat. After class on Saturday, i had a few errands to run before heading home and i had skipped out on breakfast, so i was starving at this point. Since i had a marathon to "run" (honestly i can't run, i was gonna walk) i wanted something healthy to eat even though i really wanted Popeyes. Before you tell me this isn't healthy, just stop because this is healthy for me! Can't you spot all that vegetable? ^_^

So i decided to try out the Full House Patty at Mothers "The Great Jamaican Patty Company" which is basically a beef patty with cheese, lettuce and tomato. I added bacon to mine just to make sure i enjoyed it.

I was skeptical at first but i enjoyed it. This patty was both delicious and filling.

So if if you are in the mood to have a cheese patty, just upgrade it and go all the way!

The 1838 Proclamation of Emancipation that ended J'can Slavery

Hey World!:)

Many Jamaicans have never seen or read the Proclamation of Emancipation so I've taken the liberty of placing it below for your perusal.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

A PROCLAMATION

By His Excellency Sir Lionel Smith, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Hanoverian Order, a Lieutenant-General in Her Majesty’s Land Forces, and Colonel of the Fortieth Regiment of Foot, Captain-General, Governor in Chief, and Commander of the Forces in and over Her Majesty’s Island Jamaica, and other the Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor, and Vice Admiral of the same.

Praedial Apprentices

In a few days more you will all become Free Labourers — the Legislature of the Island having relinquished the remaining two years of your apprenticeship.

The 1st of August next is the happy day when you will become free — under the same laws as other free men, whether white, black, or coloured. I, as your Governor, give you joy of this great blessing.

Remember that in freedom you will have to depend on your own exertions for your livelihood, and to maintain and bring up your families. You will work for such wages as you can agree upon with your employers. It is their interest to treat you fairly. It is your interest to be civil, respectful, and industrious.

Where you can agree and continue happy with your own masters, I strongly recommend you to remain on those properties on which you have been born, and where your parents are buried. But you must not mistake in supposing that your present houses, gardens, or provision grounds, are your own property. They belong to the proprietors of the estates, and you will have to pay rent for them in money or labour, according as you and your employers may agree together.

Idle people who will not take employment, but go wandering about the country, will be taken up as vagrants, and punished in the same manner, as they are in England.

The ministers of religion have been kind friends to you — listen to them — they will keep you out of troubles and difficulties.

Recollect what is expected of you by the people of England, who have paid such a large price for your liberty.

They not only expect that you will behave yourselves as The Queen’s good subjects, by obeying the laws, as I am happy to say you always have done as apprentices; but that the prosperity of the Island will be increased by your willing labour, greater beyond what it ever was in slavery. Be honest towards all men — be kind to your wives and children — spare your wives from heavy field work, as much as you can — make them attend to their duties at home, in bringing up your children, and in taking care of your stock — above all, make your children attend Divine Service and School.

If you follow this advice, you will, under God’s blessing, be happy and prosperous.

Given under my hands and seal at arms, at Saint Jago de la Vega, this Ninth day of July, in the Second Year of Her Majesty’s Reign. Annoque Dommi, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Eight. — Lionel Smith

By His Excellency’s Command, C H Darling, Sec

  

Happy Emancipation Day Jamaica!

Hey World!:)

A lil Jamaican perspective about our Emancipation Day:

The Historic Spanish Town Square was the area where many persons listened tentatively while the governor read the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves, in its “Plaza Mayora” (pictured below). 

The celebration of Emancipation on August 1, 1838 in the Square of Spanish Town, the then capital of Jamaica. There was a procession of the Baptist Church and Congregation of Spanish Town under the Rev. J.M. Phillips, with about 2,000 school children and their teachers to Government House. Amid tremendous rejoicing, Governor Sir Lionel Smith read the Proclamation of Freedom to the large crowd of about 8,000 people, who had gathered in the Square. The governor's carriage is seen in the foreground (pictured below).

The Act of Emancipation (1833) set in motion the most significant and far-reaching social and economic revolution in the history of Jamaica as well as for other countries in the Commonwealth Caribbean. It mandated that in the first instance large numbers of individuals were no longer slaves but neither were they free citizens. They were "apprenticed labourers". Full freedom was granted in 1838... but FULL and FREE CITIZENSHIP was still a loooooooooong way off.

Emancipation did not mean the beginning of good times. According to Sherlock and Bennett in 'The Story of the Jamaican People' (1998): "Emancipation gave them the right to free movement, the right to choose where and when they wished to work, but without basic education and training many were compelled to remain on the plantation as field hands and tenants-at-will under conditions determined by the landlord, and for wages set by him."

Snack Time

Dukunu

(made in foil, instead of the traditional banana leaf... still just as yummy!)

Opa!

Hey World!:)

Jamaica recently welcomed a new restaurant in Kingston which prepares Greek cuisine. So when one of my friends birthday rolled around, i suggested that we tried something new and head to Opa Greek Restaurant and Lounge for her first birthday celebration of the week -- a good ol' girls night dinner!

The hostess for the evening was really lovely and pleasant; I can't imagine she had any trouble making friends in her life. Her presence was natural, not forced and overbearing which was a great factor. Our waiter was pleasant and knowledgeable of the menu. He could provide us with information on the different dishes. The decor of the restaurant was gorgeously chic with some statement pieces/ areas. My only regrets was that all my girls did not get to make it and also because i was driving so i couldn't partake in the extensive wine list!

All in all, i would definitely dine there again but on that night i will not be the designated responsible driver! Below are a few snaps from the night.

I was feeling Summer Whites with the Midas Touch:)

Lemonato

Lemon flavored baked chicken served with roasted garlic potatoes. 

Gourounopoulo

Boneless, slow-roasted pork loin with feta cheese and sundried tomatoes. (Bday girls' choice)

Pizza Kotopoulo

Greek cheeses, Greek-style tomato sauce and chicken fillet.

I ordered the pizza. I had plans of ordering something else but i just can't resist pizza! But i promise the next time i visit i'll order (this and) something else! ^_^

After dinner while catching up, laughing and acting silly with my girls (since we haven't spent time in months) the Opa! team came out singing and brought a lil excitement for the birthday girl!

Also at Opa! the birthday celebrant will be allowed to break a plate and shout "Opa!!!" lol. 

Well provided the time of day is good, the mood of the other customers and other factors.

And she loved every minute we spent at the restaurant and i'm glad. 

Thanks alot, Opa!

Love them!

I Wanna Be Loved

Hey World!:)

In honour of Buju Banton's birthday [15/7] yesterday, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY BUJU, i decided to post a song of his that i realized many girls are on the prowl for -- "love". Anyways, i won't get into my late discovery now but just pree the song for yourself!

♫

I wanna be loved,

Not for who you think I am,

Nor what you want me to be,

Could you love be for me?

Real love, with no strings attached,

I wanna give you my heart,

Don't want to take it back.

A this is my chat, cho,
Been searching for a long long time,
For that oh-so-true love,
To comfort this heart of mine.
No pretence stop wasting my time,
A virtuous woman is really hard to find.
I'm telling you lady,
I'm only human, not looking for impossibility,
Just a genuine woman with sincerity.
Someone who is always near to hold me,
Show me you care, up front and boldly.
Don't shun my feelings, all the positive meanings,
Love me morning, noon, all seasons. 

....

♫

Bless up yuh self Buju. Just keep the faith, better days are ahead!

The Irredeemable Process of Death

 Hey World! ^_^

There is an eerie superstition which says "death comes in threes" but is it really true? How exactly does it work? Does the sequential deaths follow immediately after the first death? Death every other week? Or every other month? Or is it simply the death of three persons to whom you know within a close timeline? Well, i'm not sure how this works, if it really works or why it works this way but all i know my family has had three deaths in the last few months. All this coming from a girl who has never experienced the sting of death before until now. The first was my cousins' husband, then it was one of my cousins and most recently it was another cousin. All of whom weren't distant people, i knew them and knew them very well. Now all i have are memories.

The first death literally broke my heart. It was like i could feel the pain and heartache of my cousin. I could only imagine how her world shifted right beneath her feet, how things changed so quickly and with such a disastrous effect. They were young married couple and like all young couples they were making plans and taking big steps in their relationship. One minute they are together, cuddling, laughing and sharing their love and life with each other, then the next minute it all changed. He was a soldier and died in a car accident. I was helpless, without the words to help my cousin heal her wounds. But i felt better when i was near her, although i was inadequate, i was able to reassure her that i'd always be there for her when she needed a friend or a shoulder. Although he wasn't on duty at the time of his death, the JDF made sure he got a good farewell and for that we are extremely grateful!

The second death took me by surprise.

Capricorn. My little cousin was young, promising, intelligent, healthy, jovial, fearless and very territorial but she struggled with a sickness stronger than her. Depression. Depression is a disease, like all the other diseases no one is immune to it and people fight it everyday. She lost her battle with depression and it completely blindsided us (even though it shouldn't have because we all saw the signs!) So i know we failed her and for that i'm sorry. I remember writing a sermon at church and i spoke on a recurring statement made in 'Lilo & Stitch', the cartoon. "Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind." Sometimes i think we left her behind and she wondered off alone. :(

Lastly, was my big cousin. She was a powerhouse, a fighter, fashionista, my shopping parrie, my unapologetic foodie (like myself) and she was extremely convivial! Oh man, every word that came out of her mouth had me cracking up, literally. Her laugh alone could make me laugh. She had one of those infectious laughs that people speak of. Her biggest loves was her son and her grandchildren, she could talk about them all day.

- deep sigh -

- inhale -

So right now i'm pleading *making referee signs* for a "cree", "time out", "break for intermission", just grant us a little respite.

Death is a phenomenon i don't understand. But what i do know is that, i want to be so content and happy with my life and my choices. So when it's my time to travel to the other side, i want it to be the right side. I wanna be right beside my Lord and Saviour. During those periods in my life, i found some solace in the scripture passages below, 'Mourning for the Dead' (Sirach 38:16-21) as well as in a song by Gramps Morgan- Jah Shall Wash Away.

If there is one thing i want you to take away from reading this post is that, you are a perishable item, so please live accordingly!