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.

Christmas Fruit Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mixed peel
1/2 cup cherry
1 cup prunes (chopped)
1 cup wine/brandy
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp vanilla
Finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon
2 tbsp browning

Method

1. Cream butter, sugar and browning until soft and fluffy
2. Sieve all dry ingredients together
3. Beat eggs wine/brandy
4. Add egg mixture to cremed butter
5. Add fruits
6. Add flour and fold in. Do not overbeat when mixing.
7. Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 1 1/2 hours.

Yield: 9 inch round cake

Baileys and Chocolate Cheesecake

Ingredients

100g/ 3 1/2 oz butter
250 g/ 8 3/4 oz digestive biscuits, crushed
600 g/ 1lb 5 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese
25 ml/ 1fl oz Baileys
100 ml/ 3 1/2 oz Icing Sugar
300 ml/ 10 1/2 Double Cream, whipped
100 g/ 3 1/2 oz Grated chocolate

To Garnish: 200 ml/ 7 1/4 oz double cream whipped
cocoa powder, to dust

Method
1. Melt butter in a pan and add the crushed digestive biscuits. Mix well until the biscuits have absorbed all the butter.

2. Remove from the heat and press into the bottom of a lined 18 cm/ 7 in springform tin. Place in the refrigerator and allow to set for one hour.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Lighlty whip the cream cheese then beat in the Bailey's and icing sugar. Fold in the whipped cream and grated chocolate. When smooth, spoon evenly unto the biscuits.

4. Refrigerate and allow to set for a further two hours. Once set, remove and decorate with whipped cream and cocoa powder dusted over the top. Serve.