Hot ways to stay cool

Oh how the last few weeks of the Olympics and Independence celebrations have swelled our hearts with pride! The richness of our culture is also celebrated in our culinary traditions. Saturday soup is a long-time custom that could actually help cool August's heat. Some people believe that drinking hot beverages makes the outside of your body feel cooler, especially as you often break a sweat.

The Koreans actually have a ginseng chicken soup named samgyetang that is served on the hottest days of summer for that very reason. We have some recipe ideas that put a Vibes spin on Saturday soup and you won't have to work hard to enjoy them. The trick is to make use of leftover chicken and go easy on the salt.

Home-made chicken noodle soup is super simple to make and the addition of ginger just ups the flavour profile. Known as a cold cure-all, research has shown it is actual medicine stimulating the release of mucous. Vegetables vibe up the health quotient as well.

Chowder is really just a creamy soup that has potatoes. Our version is especially savoury as everything tastes better with bacon! The other great thing about these dishes is they are one-pot wonders, so less energy is exerted in washing up.

Of course, fiery spices have their own way of heating us up. For something a bit more substantial, we heartily recommend some jerk chicken chilli. Waffles add a tasty twist to this crowd pleaser.

Be sure to make large batches of these hot items to send in thermos or reheatable containers for great economical work lunches.

Finally a healthy and refreshing dessert plate—inspired by the exciting line of Brawta Estate Wines that were the taste sensation of this year's JMA Expo - is our last cooling suggestion.

Vibes is practically counting the hours until manufacturing of Michelle Miller's exquisite Coffee, Pimento, Sorrel and Ice Ginger wines begins in St Bess. Fingers crossed for Christmas.

Juicy Otaheite apples are certainly worth the trouble Captain Bligh went through (mutiny and all) to bring them here from Tahiti. With a syrupy, caramelised butter sauce featuring Brawta's Ice Ginger Wine (think uber-delicious Reisling) this dessert delights both taste buds and cook, with its quick and easy preparation.

Home-made chicken noodle soup

4 cups cooked chicken, shredded

2tbs unsalted butter

3tbs peeled ginger, grated

1 onion, thinly sliced

6 cups water

4 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cups small shaped pasta

1 medium bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

2 cups pak choi, shredded

3 stalks scallions, thinly sliced

1 carrot, shredded

1 cup cabbage, shredded

1 can baby corn, rinsed and cut diagonally

Black pepper to taste

Method

1. In a large pot, sauté onions and ginger in butter until soft.

2. Add water, broth and pasta and bring to a boil.

3. Add chicken and heat thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with black pepper.

4. Drop in pak choi, carrots, cabbage and corn.

5. Stir and serve,

Chicken chowder

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded off the bones

1lb bacon cut into small slices

3 cups celery, diced

1/2 cup onion, diced

4 cup potatoes diced

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups carrots, diced

2 cans cream style corn

1 tin evaporated milk

1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

Method

1. Crisp bacon in large dutch oven

2. Add onions and celery. Sweat until soft

3. Add potatoes, carrots and broth. Boil until potatoes are cooked.

4. Lower heat. Add the remaining ingredients

5. Stir until heated thoroughly. Do not boil.

Jerk chicken chili & cornmeal waffles

1lb ground chicken

1 onion and 1 bell pepper, chopped

1tsp each chili powder, jerk seasoning, salt and black pepper

30-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed

15-ounce cans of tomato sauce, corn, diced tomatoes & black beans

1 3/4 cup flour

1 1/4 cup cornmeal

1tsp baking powder

1tsp each sugar and salt

2 cups milk

3tsp vegetable oil

2 large eggs

Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream for garnish

Method

1. Brown chicken mince over medium heat.

2. Stir in onion, bell pepper, garlic, chilli powder, salt and pepper

3. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, corn, diced tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.

4. In a medium bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar.

5. Add milk, oil and eggs. Mix thoroughly - batter will be lumpy.

6. Pour into hot waffle iron, cook for four minutes.

Vibes Tip: Add some minced Scotch bonnet pepper to your chilli for those who really like it hot

Otaheite apples with caramelised butter ginger ice wine sauce

6 Otaheite apples

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

Pinch of nutmeg

1tsp of vanilla

1 cup Brawta Estates Ginger Ice Wine

Method

1. Slice the apples lengthways into six wedges.

2. In a small skillet, melt butter and sugar.

3. Add apples and cook until tender about four minutes.

4. Turn up heat to high, add wine, vanilla and nutmeg.

5. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.

6. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Vibes Tip: Since Brawta Wines aren't available (yet) in Jamaica, substitute regular ginger wine, red wine or fruit juice.

Like our recipes? Please 'like' Vibes Cuisine TV on Facebook or watch at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8:35 a.m. Wednesday on CVM, 8:00 p.m. Sundays on Flow 100.