And you still eat there?

Restaurants need to be held accountable for their indiscretions, especially of the sanitary kind. I am not sure which other nation is flagrantly guilty of this but Jamaicans always seem to complain and continue mulling along, taking shit from whatever it is that they were complaining about in the first place. Take for instance Yao Restaurant. If you live in Kingston and you didn’t feel a flush of rage upon me mentioning that establishment then I will take it that you haven’t eaten there before. There are constant health issues with this establishment yet it’s still packed during lunch time. Is it that when we become hungry we suffer from memory loss?

 

There was an incident at Yao the other day of someone finding metal in their food... METAL? Really? What are they doing back there? Scrap metal side hustle? And when the disgruntled patron went to return their food, there was someone else also returning theirs because they found worm(s)....HELLO!? 

Now I don’t know why, but I must have been hungry so therefore suffering from major mental processing issues that day and ate at Big Lobster Restaurant on South Avenue. Every voice inside my head told me not to, but my stomach was like “awww come on maaan, it can’t be that bad.” Well......I found a nice big juicy “stink bug” in my food. “Vegetable” insect or not, this is extremely off putting when one is trying to “enjoy” a meal. Wash your vegetables properly!!! You are a food establishment that should be following proper health codes! I won’t get started on the Health Ministry on this one; I’m actually trying not to burst a blood vessel.

Recently a friend of mine found a cockroach in her drink from JoJo’s Restaurant, on Waterloo Road (twitter saw the picture). An entire cockroach though....on an all expense paid north coast vacation in her drink. I must admit, that was the first time I have heard of such an issue with this establishment, however, maybe that’s the first time a health hazard was noticed.

Hair; we have probably all found it in our food, and in all honesty, one incident won’t make me necessarily stop dining at that establishment. Let us all just hope that the hair is of the head kind and not the pubic. Dum dumm dummmm.

I’ve worked in a few hotel kitchens and from what I have seen; I have become quite the paranoid vacationing individual. Many-a-time grabbing my beaus hand in his mid reach at hotel buffets, but we can’t always be engrossed with concern about the food when we eat out, then how would one enjoy it? However, we can make better choices and help others to as well. Leave no man behind.

Other restaurants suffer from gross customer service. Pita Grill in Orchid Village on Barbican Road. I couldn’t leave them out. My main problem with them is the time it takes to get food. Might as well call and place the order before you even think about the fact that you may, just might, possibly be hungry sometime throughout the day, week, fortnight ....you get the point. If their wraps gave me a mouthgasm, I would probably endure the wait.......but they in no way make my eyes roll into the back of my head. 

I write this in an attempt to urge my diners to start holding restaurants accountable. They will then eventually have to conform and live up to some sort of standard. It’s simple....STOP eating from there! It will send the message loud and clear when the patron count dwindles away. However, I recommend discussing your concerns with the manager/owner (they aren’t untouchable, request their presence) to make them aware and to see if they are remotely interested in addressing those issues. I do give some restaurants a chance, but if I have to even think about giving them more than THREE, I stop eating there....it is THAT simple.

Feel free to share your experiences, enlighten us so that we can perhaps think twice before visiting a certain restaurant anywhere in the world. I have eaten from countless restaurants in different countries; nevertheless, I have listed some of my concerns for a few restaurants in Jamaica below.

• Pelican Grill (Montego Bay)- the same monotonous low quality food at unreasonable incomparable prices.
• Twisted Kilt (Montego Bay)- my heart just started to palpitate, so for health reasons I have decided not to discuss such a place. It has become a grave disappointment in almost every aspect.

• East Japanese Restaurant (Market Place, Kingston)- I’ve started to get take out or dine at their Majestic Sushi branch (Stony Hill, Kingston) because there’s a “fishy” scent that has developed in the restaurant over time that kills my appetite occasionally. I have never experienced any other indiscretions, however, that scent is a problem for me. 
• Chilitos (Kingston)- did the server just dust off all the ants from all the wraps like it was nothing, after I had to inform her of said ants.....nah I didn't just see that. Not to mention, their complete disregard for keeping temperature sensitive foods refrigerated such as their sour cream. I haven't been back since.  

• Pita Grill (Orchid Village, Kingston)- the time it takes to actually be able to masticate anything of sustenance from that establishment.

• Popeyes (Kingston)- those dinosaur-esque marsupial gangs chilling outside their establishment, especially visible at night.

• Yao (Kingston)....Yao yao yaoooo YOW.....just no.

There are so many Chinese cuisine restaurants to be named. Why are they usually the primary culprits of sanitary issues? ....to be continued. 

I Pompously Walked Around as a Healthy YOUNG Person, or so I Thought

???

So the other day I got sick, like really sick....like save me Oprah, save me Tom Cruise, save me baby Jesus sick..... And here I always thought I was pretty healthy and generally aware of what I ate (since leaving my teen years).

 Well, BAM! I got ill...what...the...fuuck ......and now that I look on it if I had paid attention to my body more I would have noticed a couple changes that I now remember started occurring. Also if I had an even better diet.

What my diet may have been like before you may wonder? well for starters, maybe the usual commercialized morning items; eggs, bacon, cereal, you name it....but well...in small portions, then lunch let’s see, as a Jamaican....most Jamaicans would get this, when we do lunch, we LUNCH...I would have my veggies on the side with maybe some oxtail oh lord, oxtail....this is making me drool but back to this blog; I would have oxtail with my veggies and maybe some brown rice here n there you get the point. Either way, I thought I was doing good because I was having my veggies, adding a little brown rice here and there, exercising, drinking more water (by the way I WAS a pepsi  fiend, but now I remember the exact day I took a sip like an AA member....I’m so and so days clean). Basically, I was looking at what I was adding to my diet and not necessarily to what else I usually ate. BIG MISTAKE

After I got sick and went through the mill, I started learning, exploring and studying a lot more of what I ate and the control I could have had with preventing my illness. Food is the remote....it controls everything. You don’t just eat and then cure your ailments with medication and continue to eat like it ain’t no thang but a greasy chicken wing....your eating habits IS making you ill. It’s a vicious cycle.   

I didn’t realize that one’s body chemistry (literally) was THAT important. I didn’t realize (because I never looked into it before) that what you ate controlled the ph of your blood/body. Here’s where it got interesting and I wondered why no one seemed to have told me before because it’s like gospel to me now, orrrrrr maybe my ears and eyes weren’t as keen to it because I pompously walked around as a “healthy YOUNG person,” or so I thought.

I’m going to break it down as much as I can and don’t worry it doesn’t continue being technical to the end.

Our blood has a ph level. Ph stands for potential hydrogen. PH level’s can either be acidic, neutral or alkaline. The ph scale goes from 0 to 14, 7 is considered neutral and anything below it is considered acidic and of course anything above 7 is considered alkaline. In the body, you want as healthy of a balance as possible. A ratio of 80/20 or even 70/30 is considered good, the higher percentage being alkaline. What you consume will ultimately determine your ph level.

 We live and die on a cellular level and if our cells are healthy, we are healthy, and they need a mostly alkaline environment to perform optimally. When food goes through the process of digestion (using up what it can AS food), it burns off and leaves a residue behind in the body called ash. The ash can either be of an acidic or alkaline nature.

I’m writing this the simplest way I can, so I hope everyone is following. I hope you find it as interesting as I did. We are going to get back to the ash but so far the “buzzwords” are:

• PH (potential hydrogen)
• Acid
• Alkaline
• Neutral
• Ash

Now, in the body, you have mineral reserves. I won’t list them because why give you something else to remember right? especially if you were one of the people who found biology and chemistry boring in school. Anyways, the body has these reserves which are alkaline based, alkaline ash keeps these reserves full and cells take from these reserves to keep the ph in your body stable (more alkaline). The cells go and take from these reserves to turn any strong acidic ash in the body to weak acid, of which is easily eliminated from the body. Now picture your cells working on the acid, their stomachs and pockets are full so they easily and merrily work at doing this, because hey, the mineral reserves are full. Now when we consume an extensive amount of acidic food the reserves in the body aren’t replenished. In fact, the cells now barely have any money, no food, they’re stressed out and begin to work overtime with few resources to make this acid ash as alkaline/weak as possible, they are not happy, they are working hard because they must maintain their environment and keep their home as happy for them as possible. Their performance is no longer optimal as their home becomes more acidic, this acid is toxic, this is now where disease shall thrive, ‘n thrive it shall.

There have been many studies done worldwide and the results are always the same. Disease, ailments, poor health is a result of an acidic environment. Disease cannot live in an alkaline environment, it loves and flourishes in acidity. It’s like when an ant finds the garbage ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the heavens open up.

Now like I’ve said in my past blog posts, I never want to tell people what to eat, it’s their life, all I ever want to do is share my culinary experiences and make eaters just more aware of what they are eating. Below I have placed some charts that will show you what foods are acid and alkaline. There are a few foods that conflict with different researchers as to whether or not they should be classified as alkaline or acidic, but for the MOST part, you will see an accurate representation. 

Initially when I checked it out myself I didn’t realize how acidic I was eating. Almost everything I grew to love was acidic, and by-the-way sugar especially white/refined sugar is indeed the nazi of all foods. Frankly its poison; I’ll take a moment to allow you to sob as I did for all the simple carbohydrates.

First signs your body may be too acidic:

• You have a body odor anywhere on your body and WITH or WITHOUT using deodorant.
• You have an elevated heart rate
• You get sick quite a few times throughout the year, don’t only think about the flu or a cold. Think about skin ailments, sinuses, digestion problems etc
• Your urine has a strong odor and is generally always concentrated, even the first one in the morning.
• Low energy levels.

For those who are interested, this is a SMALL peak into what I eat now:

• No black pepper (the body does not digest it properly and therefore does not take lightly to it)
• If I need to use cooking oil, it’s strictly coconut oil
• If I use salt, its sea salt
• I eat foods that are as organic and fresh as possible (the way nature truly intended from the dawn of time; only seems right)
• I drink at least 62oz of water a day
• When I wake up the first thing I do is drink 16oz (a small water bottle) of water, then I eat fruits, then a breakfast meal, usually one with a decent amount of protein.
• I juice/blend a lot more than I have ever in my life; beets, carrots, all things green, sometimes fruits (fruits I rather eat) etc etc
• I eat pear (avocado) with almost everything, I’m addicted, I’m not in denial
• I avoid dairy, eggs, sugar, wheat products as much as possible...hey I’m not perfect, temptation is REAL people
• I avoid meat as much as possible, listen...what did I say about temptation?
• I try not to take pills for anything (they are very acidic)
• I don’t eat most of the ingredients you find in my previous blog post; such as MSG, Sodium nitrate etc      
• I avoid gluten and yeast when I am aware of its existence in a meal
• Apple cider vinegar (with the ‘mother’) is boss, look it up and use it!

The alkaline diet is a lifestyle as with any healthy diet....if the food you already consume is mostly alkaline, kudos to you. If you try an alkaline diet and it tastes bad to you....bless your soul, ‘Learn How To Cook’ cookbooks are all around us, use one. I am not a weight watcher, and for those who are, learn that not all calories are created equal, and focus on the QUALITY of your nutrition.

I could go on and on with this blog, but thank the goodness of baby unicorns that I’m tired right? whew

Please feel free to add and comment to this post. I learn from your experiences as well, and also I’m sure you can let me know if I missed anything! Restaurant experiences to come! And yes I shall call their names!  

Pay Attention; The Journey of Killer Food

Just as how you would like to wear the best clothes or shoes, live in a nice home and drive the best car, why don’t you aspire to eat the best food?

The BEST food may be relative to some, maybe the more it costs deems it better for others whereas it’s the nutritional quality that deems it best to me.

Aspiring to eat and actually eating the best food is a lot easier to achieve, and is a more controllable and instant medium than let’s say trying or saving to buy a Mercedes Benz, so why aren’t more people doing it? Priorities and personal gratification may be the reason. Why isn’t your health the number 1 priority though? Being in a hospital, taking unwarranted medication or being 6ft under will surely feel great whilst driving that AWEsome Mercedes that was priority number 1 huh.

Either way, I would like to encourage people to pay attention to what they are putting into their bodies. We are not immortal and must remove the ego of feeling like we will live forever never affected by any dire illness and understand that our bodies are fragile and are not machines so we must nurture it as best we can. The everlasting cliché stands strong in this blog, "we are what we eat." What do you think happens to food that we've placed into our mouth and sent on its way? Do you think it simply passes through the body without making even the slightest impact whatsoever, quite the contrary.

Many ailments we humans, yes humans, not glittery vampires, Hogwarts alumni, werewolves, Titans, Mount Olympus inhabitants, or aliens as I'm almost positive some are convinced they are, are caused by our nutrition or lack thereof. I'm scared of what is considered and sold conscience free as food nowadays and I'm convinced some of the most prominent guilty food corporations work in collaboration with drug and other 'health' care companies because that is where this...this polluted shit food is going to AND has sent some of us to. Not even dogs should be subjected to some of these items meant for "human" consumption.

Pay attention to the journey in which your food takes before you actually place it in your mouth. This is not a Disney movie where no one ever seems to die (only Mufasa and Bambi’s mother apparently, to forever scar children). However, the journey of killer food will make you ill or dead. This journey consists of pesticides, preservatives, hormones, other chemically enhanced additives, the containers you store or eat your food from, the food they feed to the 'soon to be on your plate" animals, and corporations 'dumbing' down the real meanings of some key ingredients they place in what they are serving up to you guilt free as food. A lot of which are carcinogenic.

Am I trying to or succeeding at being your party buzzkilington or that annoying and overwhelming nutritionist that you want to just strangle? No. I still consume quite a few questionable things, but now I pay more attention to my foods journey. From what they fed little miss piggy to the ingredients I seasoned her sweet ass with, to the leanest part of her sweet ass that I want, to the type of pot her sweet ass is cooked in or the Styrofoam container I would never eat out of.

I've become more responsible and aware of what I eat. Maybe it's because of personal experiences but I’ve always been this way and have just become more passionate about it now, especially because of seeing an increase of disease in the younger generation, corporations and even some farmers lacking moral fibre, and a complete disregard most of the human populous has taken towards responsible food consumption.

There are a few simple bits of advice I would like to share with those looking to be more responsible with the food they eat. I find them to be easy adjustments one can make. For the heath enthusiasts who have already found my blog not extreme and gut wrenching enough as they would like it to be and have furiously gone to a health blog while mumbling to themselves "why is she not TELLING people what to eat and how many times to chew?" the information I would like to share may just help you too.

I would never TELL anyone what to eat. It’s their choice and responsibility. I encourage moderation and happy thoughtful eaters. Adhering to the following advice may have come easier to me than others and we all know that only people who want to change can.

• After coming across this excellent observation I've discovered that there is indeed great truth to it. When shopping in the supermarket pay the most attention to its perimeter as opposed to its interior because the healthiest most nutrient rich and freshest food items tend to be there. The fruits, veggies, produce to name a few, unlike the preservative and additive riddled foods that are usually found within the middle aisles.

• Try and stay away from Styrofoam containers as much as you can ESPECIALLY re-heating in them. The heat when re-heating your food aids the chemicals used to make the Styrofoam in leeching onto your food. Avoid at all costs. (Re-heating in PLASTIC is a no-no as well but Styrofoam is worse)

• Be a label reading junkie whore. If you can’t pronounce most of the ingredients back away....FAR away. Sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, potassium bromate, Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) to name a few. They are in many MANY of the foods we consume DAILY. These chemically enhance foods to last longer, replace natural ingredients, reduce bacterial growth etc etc etc. Do you think these products are simply excreted from our system, no, they are the last to leave the party, and they hang around. They react with the cells in our body. Scientists have actually injected lab rats with some when they WANT to give them cancer, now look at that shit and there are companies out there selling me that in MY food. I love food and I would appreciate if they could stop fucking with it. If they have to add so many chemicals to my food just to get it to my plate "fresh" after 3 weeks of shipping and handling, I don't want it. I rather have to run to the market every few days to get fresh food than to get that killer shit.

• Try and cook or learn to cook more, make the time, it’s worth it. You can control the ingredients being placed into your food and you’re the only human contact that food gets during preparation.  Someone else’s body bits are out of the question.  

• Do NOT buy non-stick Teflon lined pots and pans. At high temperatures toxins will be released into your food. It’s like a horror show. 

• Buy TRUE organic food as much as possible. It’s best for the health of your body. Aren't you worth it?

• Wash your produce as best you can, even if they claim to be pesticide free blah blah blah. Wash it. Pesticides aren't the only thing you should be concerned about in any case. Wash....it.

• I always suggest drinking more water, for obvious and cliché reasons. I'm like a broken record with that one.

• Yep....eat more fruits and veggies. For some this may cause a big sigh, but get creative with it. Make slushie drinks or add some to your usual diet if it didn't include it before. Let that piece of lettuce pose proudly on your plate with all the other items you plan to eat. 

• Eat as much alkaline as opposed to acidic foods as possible; this diet is a lil more scientific and harder to get used to. Research it and try it if you’d like. It helps to prevent disease and aids in the healthiest functioning of the body (for my health extremists).

This blog post was so damn long eh? I can just imagine you reading it....can you imagine me writing it? WHEW! But I certainly enjoyed evangelizing the holy word of responsible eating according to the book of Ravn to you :)

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy ha-............nom nom nom

I had to take a moment and meditate to ENHANCE MY CALM before attempting to blog on this topic; I didn’t want to get all riled up mid-way and cause the cataclysmic apocalypse before its due time; December 21, 2012 .........of course.

Now I thoroughly enjoy eating my scrumpdiliumptuous vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, meat, or dairy. I have no allergies to worry about fortunately and as a result I take full advantage of it. I don’t like waste and I am an avid believer in a healthy lifestyle and recycling. However, if you hunt animals for sport and you don’t put every morsel of the creatures life in which you just took to use, its simple, you deserve to die. Go forth into oncoming traffic amigo, close your eyes, relax and just……..let it happen.

OK, so back to the point at hand as I tend to drift ever so often. Whilst you, the vegan, the Muslim, the Rastafarian, the anti-pork activist because-I-can’t-get-a-belief-of-my-own dine quietly on YOUR choice of a meal, do you see me chanting fire upon it? Am I behind your back while you dine (and in most cases when it’s done by you all, failed attempts) to make your meal most unpleasant? NO…Do I laugh at a man that eats veggie chunks which has substantial levels of estrogen in it unbeknownst to him when he gets moobs? (man boobs) No I don’t. I want everyone to enjoy their food.

We are given few extreme pleasures in life and food, FOOD, is one of them. The pork in my plate is considered as my food, leave me alone or I will throw it at you. Well, no, that would be wasting it and not to mention my entire digestive system would revolt. Everyone is on their own path in life and if my path is the way of the pork, so be it.

For those of you who think pork is unclean, I’ve heard all the stories and you frankly don’t want to hear mine about other meats. Don’t worry, I’m sure the hydrochloric acid in my stomach can handle it. However, I shall not ruin your culinary delights by divulging said unpleasant details about your precious fish, crab, chicken etc etc etc and for those of you who actually don’t seek to eat organically grown, HA! Just continue to bless your food before you eat it. Leave others to enjoy their food, all the flavors it offers, all the masticating excitement it creates.

Pork can be cooked healthily and tastily in a myriad of delicious ways. Every meat has to be cooked to a certain temperature before it can be considered entirely safe for human consumption for a variety of reasons that I rather not get into now and every method of cooking pork is quite easily capable of this. At which point is what I’m eating more dangerous than your precious amm chicken? I am not here to make statements against the Bible or other religious beliefs, I don't discuss Religion or politics, I am here to blog about food; How to tastily and healthily cook it and because neither human has dominion over the other why they should really keep their comments to themselves. 

The recommended internal temperature to consider Pork properly cooked is an average of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Removing the fat and grilling your pork pieces is one of the healthiest ways to cook it. Certain cuts of beef, lamb and veal have an average recommended internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered properly cooked as well.

If I ever become a vegetarian, hey its possible, and I may become one sooner than I think, the world can rest assured that I will not be standing on a pulpit with a megaphone preaching unto others to do the same. I will not make faces when you are dining on what YOU want to eat. I will not symbolically make my fingers into a cross as though your food is 'vampiric' and you should scamper away into darkness. I only promote eating in healthy, nutritious portions. It is your choice to eat whatever item you want and your right to enjoy it!!

Ok vegans and anti porkies…..on your marks, get set, GO!

Which side are you on?

One of the most paramount questions that you will ever be asked and in most cases will define your future is. Breast and wing? Or Leg and Thigh?

Chicken is one of the cheapest and most globally accepted meats for consumption for those of us who don’t worship or denounce this animal. I know that there are those of us who in fact worship and/or denounce the drool worthy, finger-licking, going-for-secondsing beautiful animals of the world, but hey that’s your choice, NOT mine! I am indeed an animal lover, but thats another story. I for one, when choosing to dine on this oh so economical clucker, love me some breast. I will indeed go to great lengths and strides to get it. “Oh you serve cut-up chicken only? No worries, excuse me miss, when plating my food, could you please find the breast pieces only....I’m allergic to the leg and thigh, if I eat it I will die.”

Many Jamaicans tend to choose leg and thigh, particularly because it’s cheaper for a restaurant to buy and /or most say it’s more flavourful and the breast piece is dry. This is not so! Who has been cooking your breasts? A breast doesn’t take as long to cook as a thigh, so most people happen to get over-cooked breasts, and it has been said a Jamaican will cook its meat until it is dead.

Personally, I wonder, why eat chicken if you’re not going to eat the breast. It is the meatiest, healthiest, most moist and tastiest part when cooked right! Confession; I don’t even know how to tackle a thigh, where to bite first, how to navigate through the dark, fatty, veiny meat. As a qualified chef, I can debone an entire chicken in less than 10 minutes, leaving it still attached whole, but for the life of me, can I eat a thigh in under the same time? No.

I can list at least 6 reasons from the top of my head why breast is just, better than thigh:

1. It has a higher protein to fat ratio = healthier piece of chicken. 
2. I don’t have to dodge veins. 
3. There are no major obstructing bones. 
4. There is more meat on a breast. Why eat an animal, if not for the meat. 
5. Breast is to the point, thigh is a mystery, and you never know what’s around the corner. 
6. And, just because.

Either way, time and time again, I’ve seen many people lash out because they have not gotten their preferred part of the chicken. It seems to be a serious issue. Have you ever seen a very, very, hungry construction worker throw away his food because it did not include the part of the chicken he wanted? I have seen it! It’s like seeing a Unicorn and Pegasus mate. I have also seen on many occasions as I am sure you have all seen, an infuriated individual carrying back their KFC bag into the premises because “the fucking eediat get my order wrong.” 

There are those of you who will object to my stand against thigh and leg, mostly thigh, and I’m sure you have your reasons, if you are THAT passionate, maybe you need to blog about it.....

Below is one of my favourite chicken breast recipes. Remember, before you cook a chicken, rinse it off with vinegar, lemon or lime juice (rinse after that with water to get rid of a citric “orangey” flavour that may linger even after cooked). This process is quick, easy and reduces the level of pathogens present, especially those that spread the very popular Salmonella virus.

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 1/2 large yellow onion
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Pinch of sugar

Chicken:

• 4 chicken breast cutlets (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds total)
• Salt to taste
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Method

1 Prepare the sauce. Coarsely grate half of an onion. Grating the onion will create smaller onion pieces and release more of the onion's juices, and is faster than chopping. Heat olive oil in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about a minute more. Then add the tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to maintain the simmer. Cook, uncovered while you prepare the chicken (about 10-12 minutes).

2 Preheat oven to 400°F. Working one at a time, place a chicken cutlet between two layers of wax paper (or plastic wrap). With a meat pounder, pound the chicken pieces to flatten them to an even thickness - between 1/4 - 1/2 inch. (If you don't have a meat pounder, you can use a rubber mallet, an empty wine bottle, or a heavy rolling pin.) Salt the chicken pieces well.

3 In a shallow bowl (large enough to dredge the cutlets), mix together the breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, and pinch of salt. In separate shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs.

4 Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. The oil should be shimmering, not smoking. Dredge the chicken pieces 1 piece at a time first in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs. Then lay the pieces in the hot sauté pan. Turn the heat to medium, then gently fry the cutlets until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. 

5 Spread enough tomato sauce to thickly coat the bottom of 9x13 casserole pan or baking dish. Once the cutlets are browned on both sides, arrange them on top of the tomato sauce in the baking dish. Place sauce over each of the cutlets. Sprinkle the tops with sliced basil. Then top the cutlets with slices of mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese.

6 Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the mozzarella begins to brown.

Serve with spaghetti and the remaining sauce, or in a large roll. If at this point you want to redeem yourself after slabbing on all the cheese and scrumptious goodness, use wheat spaghetti or wheat rolls. (Serves 4)

Happy Eating!

ahhhhh.......F#%K IT!

You’re just leaving a club or party at the wee hours of the morn and there's ONE thing on your mind….well, maybe two things, however, I'm talking about FOOD here people, and if you’re like me you are already trying to run through a list of all the places open.

 In Jamaica, especially Kingston you can perhaps list a handful of places serving food at the stomach raping 4:30 am. While some of us are off to our night restaurants; Burger King, KFC, Chelsea, Island Grill, 'Night Spot' among others, there are those of us who are off to the preferred pan chicken man on the side of the road. But before you start digging in and licking your fingers, have you ever stopped to think, where does this man wash his hands? or how does he keep his area sanitary? Does he even have running water? or a designated area for garbage solely? What from Narnia's closet is under his nails? There are quite a few health risks those of us who choose to dine from street side vendors are faced with.

It is very important to have a strong immune system simply for health survival purposes. For the "obsessively compulsive germaphobes" here are a few pointers one could check-out-when-eating-out:

• The overall LOOK, FEEL, and SMELL of the place…if it doesn’t seem right….it more ‘n likely isn’t, trust your gut before your gut never trusts you again.

• If a ball of hay rolls pass before you dine and the place seems rather deserted, no you have not discovered the IT spot to eat at before everyone else....get out and get out quickly. If barely anyone dines at this restaurant, and its BEEN open for business, there's usually a reason.  

• Having worked in the hospitality and food service industry for quite a few years, I always wipe my cutlery before use…take it from me, this may be a habit you’d wanna get into. NO restaurant is exempt, 5 star to no star.

• Ideally, running water should be available wherever you decide to eat from. People must be able to wash their hands…..with soap. This is ONE of the most important things you have to do in LIFE! There have been many diseases and viruses linked to the non washing of hands throughout history and presently.  I am not a firm believer in the overly hygienic “anti-bacterial gel/wipe” trend, unless there is absolutely no way for me to wash my hands at the moment. Why you ask? The extensive use of anti-bacterials in this day and age have been proven to cause “SUPER” bacteria….I don’t need to help in the development of any bacteria stronger than what my immune system can barely manage.  Am I preaching? AMEN

• Try to not sit too close to the restroom, I don’t need to spell out why right? See no evil, hear no evil…. smell no evil? Best to sit where your experience will be most pleasant and hygienic.

Either way, after drunkenly arguing with the pan chicken man; why I couldn’t get another slice of bread or when since a ¼ of chicken cost that or why he only has pineapple soda and no pepsi to sell me, I’ve finally acquired my meal.  Taking a relatively quick glance around at the slew of men fully enthralled in what seems to be THE conversation of the minute OVER the chicken on the flame, a few dogs (literally) chilling out a couple feet away, I take a look at my beautifully wrapped in foil chicken present and think….ahhh fuck it and I devour away. What doesn’t kill me will make me stronger…..I hope.