“Culinary at Home with Hector | Top 5 Porridge Jamaican Style!” introduces five of Jamaicans favorite porridge. They are loved for breakfast and any other time.
Years ago children had porridge for breakfast instead of ready-made cereal. And, cornmeal porridge was usually the favorite. It probably was the easiest to make at that time.
Nowadays porridge takes a back seat for many children and young adults. However, the baby boomer generation still prefers to have porridge of some sort.
Naturally, everyone’s favorite won’t be in the order presented here. But, they’re the ones people often make themselves or ask for when they dine out.
As a result, restaurants and hotels make sure their menus include porridge for breakfast.
Culinary Jamaican Style Porridge | Ingredients
Cornmeal porridge seems to be the most popular. But, others have increased in popularity over the years. Let’s look at the basic ingredients.
Staple Ingredients
- Cornmeal: Most people prefer yellow cornmeal to make porridge. And, just about everyone knows what it is. It’s also easy to get in all supermarkets and other grocery stores.
- Peanuts: These nuts are very popular in Jamaica. You will find peanut vendors throughout the island.
- Green Plantain: Plantains are very similar to bananas. They grow the same way. And people who are unfamiliar with them mistake them for bananas. But, they taste different and have different proportions of sugar and starch.
- Green Bananas: You have to differentiate between green and ripe bananas. Unlike the United States, you can’t just ask someone to get you bananas from the market. You ask for either green or ripe ones.
- Hominy: This is dried corn kernels treated to produce what is known as hominy.
Other Ingredients | Spices and All Things Nice
Milk (coconut, cow’s, goat, condensed, evaporated, powdered): If you’ve ever had porridge with coconut milk, you’ll appreciate the flavor. However, you can use any of the others.
It takes time to make coconut milk. The process involves grating or blending the coconut to extract the juice. Fortunately, you can buy it liquid, cream or powder form.
Water: You’ll need water to juice the coconut, and also to mix the cornmeal and other staple ingredients before adding them to boiling water.
Sugar: Cane sugar is most often used. But, you may use other types based on personal preference.
Cinnamon (ground, stick, leaves): Cinnamon comes from the bark of certain trees. People use the dried bark, ground powder, and the leaves. It has an aromatic flavor.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is another aromatic spice. It’s a seed that’s grated and used in many sweet or savory dishes.
Vanilla: This is a well-known liquid spice. You will find it in baked products and drinks.
Salt: Finally, all you need is a pinch or two of salt to taste. If you find something seems to be missing from your porridge, check to see if you added a little salt. That will usually make a difference.
These types of porridge use the same ingredients. The only difference is the staple ingredient.
Culinary at Home Porridge | Step-by-Step Instructions
How do you make porridge Jamaican style? One step at a time. You’ll have to determine how many people you’re cooking for. However, we won’t including specific quantities here. Only the basic steps.
- Gather all your ingredients.
- Add water and coconut milk to a large enough pot and bring to a boil. Additionally, some people may still use raw cow’s or goat’s milk. Leave the pot uncovered if you’re using any kind of milk at this point. It will boil over.
- Variations: Mix cornmeal in room temperature or cold water. Or, have shelled peanuts ready. Grate the banana or plantain. Also determine the portion of hominy kernels you’ll need.
- Add flour and water to whichever staple ingredient you’re using. However, it’s unnecessary to add flour to the cornmeal. You’ll get a more authentic porridge without it.
- Mix them thoroughly before adding to the boiling water. Be sure to continue stirring continuously until each is partially cooked. This will prevent it from forming lumps. Also, cornmeal may need stirring for a longer time.
- You can add the spices except sugar into the boiling water. Or mix them into the ingredients with cold water. It doesn’t matter which method you choose to use.
- Continue to stir occasionally afterwards. Lower the flame and cook until the ingredients are well done.
- Add sugar and/or condensed milk after cooking. You may also add regular milk or evaporated milk at this point.
Culinary Preferences | Taste, Time, and Variety
Individual preferences may be as a result of personal tastes. It could also be due to the time factor involved in making any food. For example, different milk options take different time frame.
On the other hand, everyone’s tolerance and reaction to food varies. People who have their own cows and goats may prefer to use milk from them. However, they may also have coconuts and prefer the taste.
It may also be a question of which is more readily available. In addition, do they have help to prepare items ahead of time? The burden may be lighter if everyone is involved in these chores.
In contrast, it’s so much easier to buy powered, cream, condensed, or evaporated milk. All the work is already done except to open the package or can.
It will be worth the time you invest to make the porridge of your choice if taste is more important to you.
One more thing to consider is combining more than one type of ingredient. We hear that “variety is the spice of life.” Feel free to mix it up if this is true for you. Otherwise, stick to the option that works for you.
Altogether, it’s a matter of personal preference. And, your taste buds will help to make that determination for you.
Conclusion | Your Choice of Porridge Jamaican Style
So, what’s your favorite porridge? And, do you make it Jamaican style? The focus here is making your porridge at home. However, it’s always good to find a place that offers your favorite food when you’re on the road.
There are some things you must have. And porridge for breakfast or any other meal may just be that thing for you. In that case, you tend to stick to the individual or establishment that makes it just right.
You want to ensure it hit the spot each and every time. It could be the milk they use or the spices such as cinnamon.
I hope “Culinary at Home with Hector | Top 5 Porridge Jamaican-Style!” brought back memories of your Jamaican tradition. Or, maybe you continue to enjoy these menus on a regular basis.
If that’s not the case and you’re longing for some home-cooked porridge, you can get back on track. What’s your story? We would like to hear from you. So, tell us all about it.
Veron Lee Campbell | Entrepreneur | The Way 4WordEnterprises