Jamaica Sliders

1 lb ground chuck
1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls
1/2 sweet onion, diced
6 slices cheese
pickle slices
salt and pepper

Flatten ground chuck into 3-4 large patties, as thin as possible. Cook in a large frying pan with onion until well done. Slice package of rolls in half to make one large sandwich. On bottom section of rolls, cover with pickle slices, then cheese slices. Add cooked beef patties and onions. Put the top back on the rolls. Serve as one large sandwich, cutting off smaller sliders when serving.

Jamaica's Chicken French Dip Sandwiches

A quick, easy, and healthier alternative to traditional French dip sandwiches, these are on the menu at our house at least once a month. We typically pair with a chopped salad. Roast beef can easily be substituted for chicken and beef broth for chicken broth.

1 loaf French bread
8 slices of chicken deli meat (sliced medium)
4 thin slices of extra sharp cheddar cheese
1 t olive oil
1 can low sodium chicken broth
1/2 onion, diced
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice baguette length-wise, then into four equal sandwich pieces. Lay all pieces open face on a ungreased baking sheet. On each piece, layer a slice of chicken and half a slice of cheese. Put in oven and bake until cheese starts to turn brown on the edges.

In a small saucepan over low heat, mix the olive oil, onion, and a little salt and pepper. After a couple minutes, once the onion has started to turn clear and aromatic, pour in the chicken broth. Simmer over low heat until hot. Pour into small containers for dipping.

Jamaica's Chicken & Gravy

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 packages dry ranch dressing mix
3 cans cream of chicken soup

Mix all ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred chicken with a fork. Serve with the gravy over mashed potatoes.

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.