Jamaican cuisine is celebrated and loved all over the world.

The island’s culinary practices are derived from a combination of locally grown and imported ingredients, spices and flavours as well as unique cooking techniques that are influenced by the different cultures
brought to the island.

Coconut is one of the most popular ingredients used by Jamaicans in the kitchen. Found on the towering coconut palm trees throughout the country, the taste of coconut is undeniably delicious and is used in numerous Jamaican recipes. Coconut milk is an essential ingredient used to prepare quite a few dishes in Jamaica.

Chances are the first thing that will come to your minds is rice and peas. Yes, we all love some good rice and peas but there are many more dishes that coconut milk can be used to whip up. Here are a few how-to tips from Our Today, as well as video from various chefs online.

Pasaka or Buj

Pakasa, which in some parts of the country is referred to as poor man’s food is a one pot meal that’s prepared in coconut milk. Staples such as yam, breadfruit, dasheen, banana and of course dumplings are added to the pot of coconut milk once it starts boiling. It is then allowed to simmer until the foods are cooked. Even though the meal can be prepared by itself some people choose to add salt fish or salt mackerel to the dish.

Salt Makerel Rundown

The dish is usually prepared by removing some of the salt from the mackerel by soaking it in water overnight or boil in hot water for 30 minutes. The mackerel is then drain to remove excess water and cut it into small pieces. The coconut milk and water is then placed in a pot and allowed to boil until it looks oily. At this time, the mackerel along with other ingredients such as onion, garlic, scallion, tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper and thyme is added and left to simmer for at least 20 minutes on medium to low heat. Rundung is usually served with green bananas, yam, roast breadfruit, and dumplings.

Bammy in Coconut Milk

Plenty Jamaicans have had fried Bammy but have you ever had Bammy cooked down in coconut milk? Well this delicious meal is quick and easy to prepare. It’s prepared by placing a combination of water and coconut milk in a pot, allow the liquid to reach boiling stage. Once the liquid begins to ‘cut oil’ the which is normally cut into small pieces may be added as well as onion, garlic, scallion, tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper and thyme is added and left to simmer for at least 15-20.

Stew Peas

Stew Peas is prepared by boiling meats such as salt beef, pigstail, turkey and chicken foot along with red kidney beans, (People usually use two meat when preparing stew peas). Once the meat and peas are cooked the coconut milk, spinners and other seasons usually scotch bonnet pepper, pimento, scallion and thyme. Allow to boil for another 40 minutes or until cooked. Stew peas is traditionally served with white rice.

Red Peas Soup

Soup on Wednesdays or Saturdays is a Jamaican tradition in many households and red peas soup is the all-time favourite soup for some Jamaicans! To prepare place stewing beef in pot with red peas and add enough water to cover the two ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 1 hour, or until peas and beef are cooked. 

When all the ingredients are tender add yam, sweet potato, commander cocoa and dumpling to
pot. Once the food is half cooked add scallion, thyme, pimento, hot pepper to pot and simmer
until foods are tender and soup has thickened.

Rice and Peas

Last but not least, our treasured rice and peas I hope didn’t think it wasn’t on the list. When making rice and peas allow the peas (red kidney beans) to soak in water with pegs of garlic. As soon as the peas is soaked place it in a pot and add coconut milk to it allow this mixture to boil until peas are tend. Season the pot with scallion, hot pepper and thyme, after about five minutes, add rice to the mixture. From here on monitor the flame by placing it on low heat as soon as it begins to boil. Allow to cook for about 20-30 minutes.