Jamaican Tourism - Royalton White Sands

If I were to travel anywhere in the world, I would go back to Jamaica without a doubt. It was the best trip of my life and I was even emotional as we left. I stayed in the Royalton White Sands all-inclusive resort.

VIEW OF ENTIRE RESORT

http://luxedestinationweddings.com/blog/?tag=royalton-resorts

I highly recommend to anyone going to Jamaica to stay in this resort. From personal experience, I know they have excellent food, an amazing location, a beautiful resort and brilliant staff. My family and I would have stayed another week if we were able to.

DINER IN THE RESORT

We weren't able to attend this festival, but the International Reggae Wine Festival in Montego Bay is a big attraction. It includes delicious Jamaican cuisine, perfectly aged wine and spectacular musical performances. Jamaica is one of the most relaxing getaways for fun adventure or beach relaxation. During my experience, I had lots of fun swimming in the ocean, at the waterpark, at the night shows and much, much more.

WATERPARK IN RESORT

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/deals/royalton-white-sands-deals.html

I also had the chance to explore the depths of Jamaica as we visited a small town guided by locals who took us on an unforgettable journey through blue water holes, a local elementary school and the friendly town.

BLUE HOLE (OVER 5 METRES IN SOME AREAS)

A trip to Jamaica is fun for anyone and I highly recommend a visit to this island during the cold Canadian winter. We travelled as a large group of 10, yet everyone was still enjoying themselves at all times due to the variety of activities to do.

THE LOBSTER FISHERMAN AND CHEF, LEO

The low cost of about $1500 covers both flights, accommodation for 7 nights and all-inclusive food, drinks and activities. It is affordable for most people looking to travel outside of the country and anyone will make great memories that will last a lifetime.

ME AND MY NEW FRIEND, DAMIAN, THE ENTERTAINMENT MANAGAER

Visit, www.royaltonresorts.com for pictures and all the information you need about the Royalton White Sands.

Jamaican Patties

One of the cooking experience that I was very interested in also relates to my theme, which was the Jamaican patty. It was interesting to be able to make this food from scratch after experiencing what a true Jamaican patty tastes like, in Jamaica. It also made me appreciate the amazing flavours you can combine to make a delicious, simple food that I love. I was curious about how the dough was made yellow, which was answered as we put ground turmeric into the pastry. In class, we made a beef Jamaican patty with some spices and onion.

JAMAICAN PATTIES

When I went to Jamaica, one of my best friends, Jevon, recommended a place called Tastee Tastee. Its a Jamaican patty restaurant where i got one chicken and one beef patty. They were absolutely delicious and by far the best patties I've ever had.

JEVON AND I IN GRADE 6

Compared to the ones we made, I was slightly disappointed as the ones we made weren’t nearly as juicy and succulent. I now have a great appreciation for the various food flavours and international cuisine. My experience in class compared to my experience in Jamaica showed me how difficult it is to recreate an amazing dish from it’s country. Although we may have used similar ingredients, the way they made them in Jamaica must have been significantly altered from our method, making them a lot better. I will attempt to make Jamaican patties again, but I won’t ever expect them to be as brilliant as the patties strait from Tastee Tastee.

OUR VISIT TO TASTEE TASTEE (PATTIES)

I also changed my opinion on all international foods. Whenever I eat a food of another culture, I will respect that the food from the actual country will most likely have better flavours as that is where the food is originated from.

Gwamma Bwead

Every summer since i was about 4 years old, my brother, sister and I would walk over to my grandparents cottage from our’s to make homemade bread. We called this fun creation Gramma Bread, but I could only say “Gwamma Bwead”. My family thought it was cute and hilarious, so everyone still calls it Gwamma Bwead!

ME AND MY GRAMMA 2002

My gramma would give each kid a ball of dough that she had previously kneeded, for us to make our own special shapes. I used to love the turtle in the movie “Finding Nemo”, so I always make little turtles that would puff up in the oven which got me excited to eat delicious homemade bread.

TURTLE SHAPED DOUGH

Not only did we just eat the bread, but the morning after shaping the dough, the entire Hayter family went on an adventure. Every family member would get into a canoe, kayak or paddle boat, even the dogs! We could go out in our boats as we ate the fresh Gwamma Bwead, drank coffee or hot chocolate and made each other laugh. This tradition never ended as every summer we continue to get everyone together and go out in our pontoon of boats to enjoy the sunrise on the lake. We still make great memories every summer with our Gwamma Bwead, sticky buns and family togetherness. Our family is only getting larger with all of my cousins starting to have children and families of their own. Family is everything to me, and I love being brought together by some puffy, turtle shaped Gwamma Bwead.

ME WAKEBOARDING AT MY COTTAGE

Ackee Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

500 grams ackee-finely chopped

250 grams ice cream or frozen yogurt

1 kilo cream cheese

250 grams sugar

7 eggs – beaten lightly

250 grams biscuit crumbs

125 grams melted butter

ACKEE - NATIONAL FRUIT OF JAMAICA

http://food-pictures.multipicz.com/ackee-fruit/plant.daleysfruit.com.au*l*where-can-i-buy-ackee-fruit-tree-8847.jpeg/

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Mix melted butter and biscuit crumbs. Cover two 8 inch rings with aluminum foils. Place the crumb mix into the rings, pressing same to form a base.

CHEESECAKE CRUST

http://doeskitchen.com/cheesecake/

Set aside in refrigerator. In a bowl mix sugar and cream cheese. Add eggs. Add ice cream. Fold in the chopped ackee. Pour the mixture into the prepared mould. Place in oven and turn temperature down to 325 degrees F. Leave for 20 minutes or until cheesecake is nicely golden brown and/or inserted knife is remove clean. Decorate with icing or fresh fruit of choice.

FINAL PRODUCT

http://loopjamaica.com/2014/09/19/latest-jamaica-news-ackee-divorces-salt-fish-10-other-ackee-dishes-you-could-try/

recipe: http://www.nlj.gov.jm/FeastingontheHeritage/recipes_for_ackee.htm

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe

prep time: 30 mins

cook time: 30 mins

Ingredients

5 pounds chicken pieces

2 cups distilled white vinegar , plus 1 teaspoon

2 cups finely chopped scallions

2 Scotch bonnets, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

5 teaspoons ground allspice

2 bay leaves

6 cloves garlic , minced

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, crumbled

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups Jamaican Barbecue Sauce, to serve, recipe follows

Jamaican BBQ sauce

1 1/4 cups ketchup

1/3 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons Jamaican hot pepper  sauce

2 tablespoons Jerk marinade (reserved from chicken recipe)

3 scallions , minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

3 tablespoons dark rum (optional for non-alcoholic)

Directions

Rinse chicken pieces well in 2 cups of the vinegar, drain, transfer to 2 sealable plastic bags and set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor  combine remaining 1 teaspoon vinegar, scallions, Scotch  bonnets, soy sauce, lime juice, allspice ,bay leaves , garlic, salt, sugar, thyme, and cinnamon . Reserve 2 tablespoons of the jerk marinade  for the Jamaican Barbecue Sauce.

Rinse chicken pieces well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Divide chicken pieces between 2 heavy-duty gallon plastic sealable bags and divide marinade evenly between the 2. Turn bags over to evenly distribute marinade, and refrigerate chicken for at least 24 hours and up to 2 days.

CHICKEN MARINATING

http://quisineandquirks.com/2012/03/easy-baked-carribean-jerk-chicken/

Jamaican Barbecue sauce

In a medium nonstick saucepan combine all ingredients except rum and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook another 12 minutes, until sauce is thick and flavorful and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in rum(optional). Cool sauce to room temperature before serving.

BBQ JERK SAUCE

http://www.islands.com/articles/best-jamaican-jerk-sauce

On an oiled grill rack set about 6 inches above red-hot coals, grill chicken (in batches if necessary), covered, for 10 to 15 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Transfer to a warm platter and keep warm until serving.

Serve with Jamaican Barbecue Sauce, alongside fried plantains , rice, or bread of choice.

FINISHED PRODUCT

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/jamaican-jerked-chicken-with-barbecue-sauce-recipe.html

Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/jamaican-jerked-chicken-recipe.html

The Works Restaurant Experience

I chose to eat at my favourite gourmet hamburger restaurant, called The Works.

FRONT OF THE WORKS-BARRHAVEN 

http://www.ottawafood.com/loc-barrhaven.jpg

As an appetizer, my parents and I shared the Tower-O-Rings. We also got the chipotle mayo sauce and a ranch sauce. The huge onion rings were hot and addictive, along with tasty, yet not overpowering sauces. All three of us preferred the chipotle mayo sauce, which was recommended by the waitress.

TOWER-O-RINGS

http://www.ottawafood.com/sandwiches-and-wraps/the-works-barrhaven-1197.aspx

The burger that I ordered was called the Jamaican Jerk. This hamburger was 100% Canadian Beef on a whole wheat bun. The toppings were Jamaican jerk spices and sauce, caramelized onions and tomato.The jerk sauce on the burger was very flavourful there was the perfect amount of spices in the juicy, thick patty. The onions were delicious and sweet and the fresh tomato topped it all off nicely. What I didn't like about the burger is that there was no cheese. I would have liked  some cheddar or my personal favourite, feta. Although the patty was thick, the bun was too thick and took away from some of the flavours, making it a little dry.

JAMAICAN JERK BURGER

http://www.worksburger.com/Burgers/Jamaican-Jerk.aspx

My dad ordered the Man Cave burger which had BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, jack cheese and bacon. He thought there was a bit too much Barbecue sauce on the burger, overpowering the other flavours in the burger. Other than that, he loved the Man Cave.

MAN CAVE BURGER

http://www.worksburger.com/Burgers/Man-Cave.aspx

My mom ordered a burger called the Babe Watch which included avocado slices and Monterey jack cheese. She enjoyed the burger except she agreed that there was too much bun so she removed the top bun.

BABEWATCH  BURGER

http://www.worksburger.com/Burgers/Babewatch.aspx

The restaurant setting felt like we were in an underground railway. It was dark and the decorations were cemented into the brick walls. It was open concept and I felt too close to the other tables around me, as there were too many tables crammed into a small area. I liked the creativity in the light bulb salt & pepper shakers, the measuring cups for drinks and the metal platters for the meal.

WALL DECORATIONS

http://40dines40weeks.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-works-gourmet-burger-bistro.html

The customer service was fairly good, although our food took a while to arrive after we ordered. Other than that, we were given great advice on what to order (such as sauces, sides and beer for my dad) and the waitress seemed very well informed with the menu.

Overall, my parents and I had a brilliant experience at The Works in Barrhaven and we will definitely return to try all the different gourmet burgers.