Banana bread on the go

GraceKennedy has been an institution in Caribbean kitchens for generations. Over the decades the brand became known for its sturdy food items: sauces and canned meats, condiments and soup seasonings. But in a modern world where work hours are indefinite, today's working professional simply has no time to devote to the notoriously labour-intensive preparations behind favourite Jamaican dishes.

Grace has taken note of this and, in recent years, has introduced lines of "instant" products onto supermarket shelves. Stovetop favourites like cornmeal porridge, the award-winning hominy porridge and seasoned rice can be ready in the beep of a microwave.

Grace has

Banana bread on the go

GraceKennedy has been an institution in Caribbean kitchens for generations. Over the decades the brand became known for its sturdy food items: sauces and canned meats, condiments and soup seasonings. But in a modern world where work hours are indefinite, today's working professional simply has no time to devote to the notoriously labour-intensive preparations behind favourite Jamaican dishes.

Grace has taken note of this and, in recent years, has introduced lines of "instant" products onto supermarket shelves. Stovetop favourites like cornmeal porridge, the award-winning hominy porridge and seasoned rice can be ready in the beep of a microwave.

Grace has

Banana bread on the go

GraceKennedy has been an institution in Caribbean kitchens for generations. Over the decades the brand became known for its sturdy food items: sauces and canned meats, condiments and soup seasonings. But in a modern world where work hours are indefinite, today's working professional simply has no time to devote to the notoriously labour-intensive preparations behind favourite Jamaican dishes.

Grace has taken note of this and, in recent years, has introduced lines of "instant" products onto supermarket shelves. Stovetop favourites like cornmeal porridge, the award-winning hominy porridge and seasoned rice can be ready in the beep of a microwave.

Grace has

Banana bread on the go

GraceKennedy has been an institution in Caribbean kitchens for generations. Over the decades the brand became known for its sturdy food items: sauces and canned meats, condiments and soup seasonings. But in a modern world where work hours are indefinite, today's working professional simply has no time to devote to the notoriously labour-intensive preparations behind favourite Jamaican dishes.

Grace has taken note of this and, in recent years, has introduced lines of "instant" products onto supermarket shelves. Stovetop favourites like cornmeal porridge, the award-winning hominy porridge and seasoned rice can be ready in the beep of a microwave.

Grace has

Banana bread on the go

GraceKennedy has been an institution in Caribbean kitchens for generations. Over the decades the brand became known for its sturdy food items: sauces and canned meats, condiments and soup seasonings. But in a modern world where work hours are indefinite, today's working professional simply has no time to devote to the notoriously labour-intensive preparations behind favourite Jamaican dishes.

Grace has taken note of this and, in recent years, has introduced lines of "instant" products onto supermarket shelves. Stovetop favourites like cornmeal porridge, the award-winning hominy porridge and seasoned rice can be ready in the beep of a microwave.

Grace has

Irie Flavours

Executives of Irie Isle have found a way to capitalise on Jamaica's bounty of fruits by utilising an innovative way of packaging. The company has added two new squash flavours, june plum and mango, to its existing line which includes guava, cherry, sorrel and pineapple flavours.

Christmas All Year Round

Food chemist Ann Marie Smith and baker Luciene Morrison have pooled their 'know-how' to create Jamaica's first pre-fabricated fruitcake mix. Operating under the name Annilu, a hybrid of both their names, the ladies came up with a winning formula with the intention of changing the way local consumers view fruitcake.

"We want to

Paying Homage to My Cashew Tree

To be frank, I'm not such a huge fan of all nuts, they are not equal in my subjective opinion, but I am not trying to influence you with my palate as it is an area in which we all cheerfully, sometimes heatedly can respectfully disagree. I have friends who gorge on them; I mean absolutely stuff their faces in rapturous glee. I will eat a variety for nutritious protein. Dare I admit to a preference to have them mixed with other accoutrements like dried fruits, in cereal or as a garnish to vegetables and salads for that added crunch. I will munch happily away on pistachios, almonds and cashews. Unfortunately they are the expensive ones here, so the humble perennial peanut will do until the craving strikes my fancy and I splurge.

The cashew, I believe, I'm particularly fond of due to its buttery taste when roasted with just the right touch of a quality sea salt. If I add a little chilli or smoky Spanish pimenton (paprika), it is the perfect snack for an aperitif and is quickly demolished when I set down a bowl on the table. Though native to Brazil, cashews are grown here, in other tropical countries, and when in season they are plentiful. Cashews are sold in plastic bags or wrapped in brown paper

Countdown to Food Awards!

This year's Jamaica Observer Food Awards will take place on May 27 on The East Lawns of Devon House and the judging sessions hit high gear Tuesday last at the Spanish Court Hotel, where five presentations were made in an effort to find the Best New Food Item. Thursday Food dishes the details...

Fox's Freshness

Food Basket director Robyn Fox's brand of mixed greens, herbs and spices aims to add a new dimension to the term 'fresh vegetables'.

Fox, who partners with her father Michael in this venture, notes that her products are grown in the cool hills of Newcastle, St Andrew and are delivered -- free of cost in the Corporate Area -- the same day they are harvested.

"It's an online-based direct-to-customer programme," shares Fox, noting, too, that clients are encouraged to place their orders on Monday and receive their freshly cut veggies on Thursdays. Though business is mainly done electronically, Fox shares that her brand of greens are packaged and available on the shelves of Loshusan Supermarket in the Barbican Centre. Fox, who says some of her greens are cultivated organically, presented the judges with a delectable mixed-green salad (of cauliflower, Scotch bonnet pepper, various lettuce and mesclun) lightly drizzled with vinaigrette. The salad was paired with the pleasant golden apple after taste of the dry, pale, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio.

"These are really fresh greens," notes food judge Jacqui Sinclair, "and you are able to separate the distinct flavours of lettuce: the red-leaf from the arugula."

Speaking to her product's freshness, Fox adds that her packaged vegetables can last up to a week and a half if refrigerated. Food Basket is an avid participant of the monthly staged Market At The Lawn.

CAPTIONS

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Jamaica Observer Food Awards judge Chris Reckord (right) examines the fresh greens from Food Basket with fellow judges Leisha Wong, Anthony Miller (second left) and Dr Brian Langrin.

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Food Basket director Robyn Fox (left) explains her product before the judges, pictured from second left: Arnella Chin, Matthew Hogarth and Krystal Chong.

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The mixed green salad presented by Food Basket.

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The Jamaica Observer Food judges enjoying the greens from Food Basket.

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The mixed green salad from Food Basket.

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Lifestyle Editor Novia McDonald-Whyte and judge

High Tea: An Afternoon Delight

Kingston is a city of many faces. Its rich and eclectic history has yielded everything from the raw spectacle of Coronation Market to the structural grid of New Kingston. But is it possible to escape albeit momentarily? Hmmm Traipsing across rolling lawns sounds nice. So does being ushered through classically designed foyers to settle onto breezy terraces where one can indulge in a spot of tea and a plate of scones heaped with cream and strawberry preserves. We're pouring tea this afternoon and the best part is that we didn't have to lease a quaint Georgian manor in the English countryside.

Holding Court and Cup

Chocolate rum ball. Chocolate cake ball infused with Jamaican overproof rum.

Black forest ham, spicy sausage, and pink salmon are among the variety of meats. (Photos: Karl McLarty and Bryan Cummings)