Jamaican Chocolate Cake

I love chocolate. That is my weakness. Allspice gives a unique and wonderful flavor to chocolate cake. I know what you are thinking. Isn't allspice used in Jerk seasoning as well? Yup..that is why they call it ALLSPICE..it has so many combined spices it can give all dishes a unique flavor.

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 c. milk
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp. Jamaican allspice
1 egg yolk
2 c. cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1 c. superfine sugar
2 egg yolks
3 T. water
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. dark rum
2 egg whites, whipped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 - 9 inch layer cake pans.

Whisk together chocolate, milk, allspice, brown sugar and one egg yolk in the top of a double boiler, stirring until a custard is formed and mixture thickens. Cool. Stir in baking soda and salt. Sift the flour onto waxed paper.

In bowl of electric mixer, whip the butter, gradually adding sugar and two egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a cup, stir together 3 T. water, 1/2 c. milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1 Tbsp. dark rum.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternating with the vanilla/milk/water mixture. Stir in the chocolate custard mixture and beat until smooth, approximately two to three minutes at medium speed of mixer.

In a clean bowl, using the wire whisk attachment of your electric mixer, beat two egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into cake batter.

Turn into greased layer cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 25 minutes or until cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Turn out onto wire racks to cool. Level with a serrated knife if required, then stack and frost with chocolate frosting.

Note: This recipe calls for superfine sugar, not to be confused with confectioners or 10X sugar. If you don't have superfine sugar you can pulse regular granulated sugar in the food processor to substitute. Domino supplies superfine sugar in 1 pound packages at the supermarket or in larger quantities at the bakery supply or foodservice outlet. Superfine sugar dissolves readily and works best for cakes, helping to produce a lighter texture.

Reggae Boys Salad

The Jamaica national football team, or The Reggae Boyz, is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. You can substitute olive oil instead of margarine and lemon instead of vinegar - it's more health. Tip: use colorful noodles looking like butterflies - and you'll have beautiful summer holiday meal.


INGREDIENTS:

* 1 packet ELBOW MACARONI
* 1 medium sweet pepper
* 1 small onion
* 2 medium carrots
* 1 Tbs. SOFT MARGARINE
* 1 can GREEN PEAS
* 1 can WHOLE KERNEL CORN
* ¼ cup WHITE CANE VINEGAR
* ¼ tsp. salt
* ¼ tsp. BLACK PEPPER
* 250 grams cheese (1 1b cheese)
* 10 lettuce leaves
* 1 Tbs. COOKING OIL


Source: CaribbeanChoice

METHOD / DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook macaroni as directed on package and drain. Chop sweet pepper and onion and saute in hot margarine.
2. Cut carrots in strips, shred cheese and set aside.
3. Place macaroni in a bowl and add sauteed onion and sweet pepper, peas, whole kernel corn, carrots, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix well.
4. Add cheese and mix.