Jamaican Coconut Ginger Bun

We're in Lent inching towards Easter which means alot of bun and cheese as Jamaicans reflect on the life and death of Christ. If you're tired of the same ole traditional buns here's a DIY coconut inspired recipe to try. If you do, leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out!

Ingredients
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup Grace coconut milk
3 tbsps grated ginger
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
3 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsps. cinnamon powder
2 cups grated coconut
1 cup soaked raisins
3 whole green cherries
3 whole red cherries

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C and grease a loaf/bun pan.

2. Beat egg and vanilla then add Grace Coconut Milk, melted margarine, grated ginger and sugar. Mix well until all the sugar granules are dissolved.

3. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, shredded coconut and soaked raisins.

4. Add half the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture and mix then add the other half of the dry ingredients and mix well.

5. Scrape the batter in bun tin then decorate with green and red cherries.

6. Put to bake for about 1 hour.

*Recipe adapted from original Grace foods recipe book published in the Jamaica Observer.

Jamaican Stew Peas

Ingredients
1 pint kidney beans (red peas or fresh gungo peas)
1/2 lb salted pig's tail, cut up
1/2 lb salt beef stew, cut up
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
6-8 whole pimento berries
1 whole green Scotch bonnet pepper
2 stalks scallion
1-2 carrots cubed
Sprig of thyme
2 cups coconut milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
1. Soak peas in five cloves of garlic to soften and flavor (preferably overnight)
2. Soak pig's tail in enough water to cover up to 3 inches above meat (preferably overnight).
3. Place pig's tail and peas together in a large saucepan with enough water to cover, add coconut milk and simmer for about two hours or until soft.
4. Add thyme, scallion, whole Scotch bonnet pepper, carrots, pimento berries, ginger, garlic, tomato ketchup. (Spinners may be added at this time.)
5. Cook until flavours are mixed for approximately 30 minutes. Serve hot with plain rice, freshly sliced tomatoes, fried ripe plantain, and a slice of avocado pear to get the perfect meal.