Jamaican Rum and raisin vanilla bean ice cream

"Christmas is coming"

On a Sunday evening, you will find most Jamaicans on the hunt for their ice cream fix. The classics rum and raisin and grape nut ice cream are sure to be on the list of top choices. I am a little surprised that I don’t already have a rum and raisin ice cream on the blog. It’s not like I have never made it before. I guess I just forgot to post it. Its never usually my go-to choice for ice cream but growing up we always had it on hand because it was my father favorite.

Peach schnapps mojito ice cream

"Icy Cool"

This is such a good ice cream flavor. It’s not all the time that ice creams can really take on the flavor of the alcoholic drink they are based on. The peach schnapps really shines through in this one, especially since I expected the cream and sugar to mask it.

Smoked Salmon Pasta

 

 Something Smells Fishy...

I have been trying to post this recipe since good Friday (such are the perils of Flows less than stellar internet service) It is with great pleasure that I finally post this Smoked salmon pasta, yum! Last year I made cedar planked salmon with a bacon jam, this year I smoked the salmon, mixed it with a rich cream sauce filled with herbs and pasta. It’s a great main dish or as a seafood side dish.

Creamy sausage pasta

I love Pasta

In all fairness its pasta month and last Friday I didn’t give you a pasta recipe. I gave you half of the equation, which was that delicious and most perfect marinara sauce; perfect in every way, especially for the vegetarians. Today we are going to turn that sauce into a meaty sausage sauce and toss it with some penne. It probably the simplest pasta recipe I have done thus far, especially since I already had the marinara set aside since last Friday. If you want to use a pre-made marinara sauce, be my guest. But I do implore you to make the mushroom marinara sauce, and if you don’t like mushrooms this sauce will make you like them.

Cauliflower Gratin

M...eat...less

In our family Cauliflower is like the prodigal son. When we were kids there was never a plate of broccoli that didn’t have cauliflower at its side. As the years went on, it seemed the cauliflower in our plates ran away never to return. Well, today it’s returned and it’s not sharing the stage with broccoli (this time). This is a very delicious and unconventional way to enjoy this delicious vegetable.

Jamaican Fish tea

Something Smells Fishy...

Don't let the name fool you, this is not a sweet fishy tea, its just a soup! I always imagined fish tea came out of a need to use a left over commodity. Just like bread pudding reclaims slate bread, and chicken bones create stock. I feel that fish heads and other parts were used to make a soup so that they would not be “wasted” but that’s just my theory. There has never been a thing wrong with turning trash to treasure. And this soup is quite a treasure.

Orange Hot chocolate

"Feast of Saint Valentine" 

There is just something about a rich warm cup of hot chocolate that makes you feel warm, fuzzy and special inside. If you’ve read my post on a chocolate orange crepe you would have already known I have an obsession with the flavors of orange and chocolate paired. I don’t know what it is, but I think the sweet citrus aromas of an orange with milk chocolate are just the perfect match. In my book, nothing else pairs better with chocolate; not mint, not strawberries, not even hazelnut (sorry Nutella). Orange and chocolate equal’s bliss, and this orange hot chocolate is blissful.

Pumpkin Coconut Leek soup

"Pumpkin Everythang”

Like clockwork  the day I decided to make a lovely pumpkin soup here comes the rain, perfect timing. I had originally wanted to make a pumpkin wonton soup. However when I got to the grocery store they were all out of wonton skins, and ‘aint’ no way I’m making that dough from scratch, so plan B. A few isles down I spotted some leeks and figured, they probably taste like onions or scallions, so they should pair well with pumpkin, not to mention some coconut milk.