Jamaica's Chocolate Cake

1 C sugar
1 C all purpose flour
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t baking powder
1 t salt
1/2 C butter, melted
1 large egg
1 t vanilla
1 C brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients. Pour into greased pie pan. Batter will be runny. Bake 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Chocolate whipped cream icing

1 C heavy whipping cream
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
3 T sugar

Put mixing bowl and whisk in freezer at least 30 minutes. Mix all ingredients at high speed until firm peaks form.

Baked Chickpeas

This is a fun, healthy snack. I'm looking forward to playing with the spice mixture to get it just right.

3 cans chickpeas
1 1/2 T olive oil
2 t sugar
1 1/2 t ground cumin
1 1/2 t paprika
1 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Drain, rinse, and dry (using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels) the chickpeas. Mix chickpeas, olive oil, and spices together in a bowl. Place the seasoned chickpeas on a cookie sheet and cook 40-60 minutes, mixing about halfway through.

Meat Sauce

1 T olive oil

1/2 red onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. ground Italian sausage

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1/2 t oregano

1/2 t rosemary

salt and pepper (to taste)

Brown sausage in medium sauce pan with olive oil, onion, and garlic. Add tomatoes and spices and simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is heated through. Serve over the pasta of your choice and garnish with cheese if desired.

Banana Bread

• 1 C butter flavored vegetable shortening
• 2 C powdered sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/2 C mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)
• 2 t baking soda
• 1 t salt
• 2-1/2 C all purpose flour
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• pinch of pumpkin pie spice (optional)
• 1 C nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients in order shown using a mixer until well blended. Bake in a 9"x9" glass pan or two loaf pans (oiled and floured) in a 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until cooked through.

Cole Slaw

1 package prepared cole slaw mix (or 1 lb. of shredded cabbage/carrots)

1/2 onion, minced

1/2 C milk

1/4 C sugar

1/2 C mayonnaise

1-1/2 T white vinegar

1/2 t salt

juice of one lemon

pepper to taste

Mix milk, sugar, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice together in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in cole slaw mix and onion. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

Biscuits & Gravy

8 biscuits (refrigerated or homemade)

1 package pork sausage (I prefer spicy)

1/4 C flour

2-3 C milk

Bake biscuits according to package directions. Cook sausage over medium heat until completely heated through. Add flour and mix well. Slowly add milk, 1/2 cup at a time until desired thickness. Remove gravy from heat. Serve immediately over biscuits.

Jamaica's Thanksgiving Leftovers Soup

Broth

Carcass from one roasted turkey

1 large onion, quartered

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped

4 garlic cloves, smashed

1 bay leaf

10 whole black peppercorns

Add all ingredients to a large stock pot and just cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1-2 hours. Strain solids out of broth and set broth aside.

Soup

1 large onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 stalks celery, sliced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tbs olive oil

3 tbs melted butter

6 tbs flour

2 C stuffing

1 tsp rosemary

1-2 C shredded turkey

1 can corn, drained

salt and pepper

Heat oil in stock pot used to create broth (no need to wash). Add onions and garlic and cook until golden brown. Add carrots, celery, rosemary and reserved broth. Bring to a simmer and cook vegetables until soft, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl, mix butter, flour, salt and pepper together until smooth. Add stuffing and mix until well combined. Roll dumpling mixture into small balls and drop into simmering soup. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Gently stir in turkey meat and corn. Season with salt and pepper to taste.