weekend dinner party

I just recently purchased my very first lottery ticket. Why, you ask? I've long since passed my 18th Birthday and I'm not particularly "lucky" when it comes to winning things, regardless of how great the odds (my younger sister was the one blessed with the luck gene). But if there's one life lesson I've come to realize and in turn, highly respect, it's if not now, when? Carpe Diem, man. Or should I say mon? Because once I've won the lottery, I'm going back to Jamaica. Booking an ocean-front, cliff-hanging villa at The Rockhouse and staying put for a few weeks. And when I've exhausted the life of leisure (hilariously impossible), I'll up and jet off somewhere else. Anywhere else I please.

I'm going to win the lottery and travel my pants off.

In the meantime, I'm bringing Jamaica to me this weekend with a menu straight from the beaches of Negril. So invite a couple of your favorite people over and stock up the fridge with Red Stripes. We're straight up stickin' it to the winter weather with this tropical spread.

smoked marlin dip with sweet potato chips

Spanish Sparkling Rosé (see image below)

steamed snapper with ginger, lime, and cilantro

coconut rice

sauteed callaloo

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

jamaican banana cake

RECIPES:

smoked marlin dip

steamed snapper with ginger, lime, and cilantro

sauteed callaloo (substitute a combination of kale and spinach for the callaloo)

jamaican banana cake

Coconut Rice
Recipe Courtesy of Yours Truly
Serves 4, generously

4 cups unsweetened coconut milk (about 2 cans, supplement any shortcomings with water)
1 3-inch nub of peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups of white rice
cilantro for garnishing

In a medium-sized pot, add the coconut milk, ginger, and butter, and bring to a boil. Add in the rice, stir, put the lid on and turn down the heat to low. Set the timer for 18 minutes and allow to cook, untouched. After 18 minutes, stir any excess liquid sitting at the top into the rice (it should be very creamy) and taste for seasoning. Place in a large bowl and top with plenty of fresh cilantro.

Image above of The Rockhouse courtesy of Wonderfelle

from jamaica, with love

I went, I saw, I ate, I drank and I fell in love.

With Jamaica, that is.

I'm still fumbling with my words; unable to give justice to all that I encountered. A total departure--a much-needed escape to pure relaxation. Away from the cold, away from the stress, away from the mundane routines. It was the kind of trip that will stay with me for a long time and thus, inevitably, the kind of a trip that was particularly painful to say goodbye to. So difficult in fact, that I extended my stay; incapable of turning my back on my life of leisure in paradise.

So as I longingly stare off into space (while snow dramatically flurries outside my window), dreaming about being back on the beaches of Jamaica, I'll leave you with a few keywords and snapshots.

Red Snapper, Coconuts, Spiny Lobster Tails, Cava, Lemongrass, New Friends, Herb Gardens, Cilantro, Jamaican Basil, Pineapple, Star Fruit, Red Stripe, Scotch Bonnet Peppers, Fresh Ginger, Coco Bread, Curried Goat, Smoked Marlin, Callaloo, Green Plantains, Blue Mountain Coffee, Rum, Craw Fish, Sweet Potatoes, The Rockhouse, Cliffs,Vodka and Soda Water with Lime and a splash of Pineapple Juice, Jerk Chicken, Saltwater, Sand like Silk, Love, and Sunshine. A whole lotta Love and Sunshine.

Irie!