Winter Favorites!

[Courtesy of the Jamaica Tourist Board JTB]

Greetings again reggaemuffins and cryptofoodies. It’s me “TheFoodDon” inviting you into my reggaekitchen. This time I want to share with you my winter favorites.

Now I was born and raised in the tropics so I am accustomed to sun , sea and clear blue skies. However, upon moving to Japan I was introduced to cold, snow and all that jazz. Let’s face it , I would rather be basking in the sun , lying on the white sandy beaches or drinking some of Ms. Dixon’s cowskin soup on a Friday like this. Not to mention eating jerk chicken and festival . Alas , when living abroad one has to find food fitting the weather.

I have always loved soups in Jamrock. Gungu peas soup
red peas soup with beefwere favorites. These were closely followed by chicken feet/ chicken back and beef pumkin soup.

It is no surprise that I have fallen in love with soup like dishes in Japan and they are perfect for winter. The first one is oden. It is quite simple and can easily be made at home. You just need some “Dashi” or fish stock and you are half way there. Next add your favorite easy to cook foods and as my Aussie friends would say, “Bob’s your uncle.”
What can you recognize in this pot of goodness?
Egg, potatoes, konyaku (devil’s tongue) and fried tofu are my favorites. These are usually eaten with wasabi, mustard, dried green onions or miso.

The first one pot meal I came across was “Nabe”. The word “Nabe,” actually means pot in Japanese. Nabe is an easy one pot meal and it certainly brings people together. You can buy broths at almost any supermarket. Most of them are pork based so if you don’t partake of the pig like yours truly , then you will have to check the ingredients. I found quite a few chicken and spicy broths. Like the Oden, you can add your favorite foods and you are good to go.
I made two pots because the younguns couldn’t manage the spice.

And finally a dish I was recently introduced to that is eaten in Korea during their New Year’s celebration. Since most countries in this region are celebrating New Years now - Happy New Year to you and yours.
This has been another Indelible Vibration.
Peace and Love everytime. The song is so nice I have to do it twice (different artiste)