Jamaican Chocolate Banana Cake

Serves 15 - 20 (dessert squares) 

Ingredients 

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

2 cups (490 grams) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup (75 grams) unsweetened Jamaican Roma cocoa powder 

1/3 cup hot chocolate mix 

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon instant coffee

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium sized bananas)

1 cup plain yoghurt

1/2 cup (240 ml) warm water

1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (or other flavorless oil)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup coconut flakes 

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. 

2. Butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan. Set aside. 

3. In a large bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients such as the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips and salt etc. Set aside.

4. In another large bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients such as the eggs, mashed bananas, water, milk, oil, yoghurt and vanilla extract etc. 

5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, or electric mix on medium speed, until combined. Mix in coconut flakes.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Jamaican Spiced Mocha

My grandparents were coffee farmers and would grow coffee for sale to coffee processing plants; so it's no surprise that coffee would become a family favorite. Here's a Jamaican recipe to warm up the cold Fall/Winter mornings.

Serves 4

Ingredients 

 2 cups freshly brewed strong Blue Mountain Coffee (or any Jamaican coffee brew of your choice)
1 square Unsweetened Baking Chocolate, chopped
4-5 tbsp condensed milk
1-2 tbsp sugar (sweeten to taste)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 cup whip cream pinch of nutmeg
 *pinch of salt
* drop of peppermint essence or pumpkin spice
   for that holiday sensation

Method

1. Mix coffee and chocolate in heavy saucepan; cook on very low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly with wire whisk. 
2. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & salt. Bring to boil on medium heat; cook until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and vanilla, stirring until well blended. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. 
3. Pour into 4 large cups or mugs. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with a light sprinkling of additional cinnamon, nutmeg or chocolate, if desired.

Happy Nyaamings! Leave a comment if you tried this recipe.

Christmas Ham Breakfast Recipe

Ingredients

Serves 4

8 Large eggs
4 slices white or whole wheat bread
2 tbsp. butter for buttering bread
6 slices wafer thin ham cut in small pieces
4 oz. cheddar cheese (grated)
1 finely chopped sweet pepper
1 finely chopped onion
1 finely chopped tomato
1 small can pineapple chunks (optional)
salt and black pepper

Method

1. Butter the bread and cut the slices into quarters. 
2. Arrange the bread in a glass baking dish with cover.
3. Tuck the ham slices between the bread
4. Crack the eggs into a jug, add the milk and seasoning
5. Beat together with a wire whisk, then pour over the bread, pressing down so it can absorb milk
6. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and turn.
7. Add cheese and return to oven baking for 10 minutes
8. Let cool and serve with tomato and lettuce.

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