Stir it up!The holiday party season will soon be upon us. Christmas carols will be sung to a reggae beat, people will be decked out in their most festive clothes and homes will be decorated with streamers and lights and balloons. Families and friends will gather to celebrate the season with large meals and even larger parties.Did you know that many of the ingredients used in traditional holiday foods and drinks in the Caribbean are products from Thailand? Juices, Thai Hom Mali rice and canned seafood are popular, but perhaps not as well known as coconut milk and canned lychees. Coconut milk from Thailand is becoming a popular ingredient in Caribbean food and drink recipes. It is used in traditional dishes such a rice and peas, bammy and even used to make Jamaican ice cream. Coconut milk is derived from the flesh of the coconut. It is not the liquid found inside the coconut but the diluted cream pressed out from the thick, white meat of the coconut. To make coconut milk, the coconut flesh must be finely grated, steeped in hot water and then pressed until all the liquid is extracted. The resulting milk is anti-carcinogenic and healthier than most saturated fats. Lychees, widely grown in Northern Thailand, are also popular in the Caribbean. Found mainly canned in syrup, Lychees are commonly served as a dessert over crushed ice or by themselves. Sweet, juicy and yummy are the key features of this fruit. They are a very good source of vitamin C, as well as potassium and other nutrients. Juicy Health facts Coconut juice - This is the naturally occurring liquid found inside young coconuts. It is low in calories and high in potassium so it is as good for you as it is refreshing and delicious.* Orange juice - Thai oranges are among the sweetest and juiciest oranges in the world so their juice is highly sought after. The juice is high in vitamin C and aids in the controlling of high blood pressure.** Pineapple juice - Exquisitely refreshing pineapple juice from Thailand is extracted from the fresh, sun-ripened fruit known to Thai people as the "Queen of the Southern Fruits". This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which play a major role in the body's healing process.*** *www.foodmarketexchange.com **www.orangejuice.com. "You, the Owner's Manual", Dr. Michael Roizen *** USFDA |
Why not spice up your holiday party and make it more memorable by adding a dash of fame and fun to your splash of rum? Try these sensational tropical drinks named in honor of two of the Caribbean's most spectacular and popular personalities. These cocktail recipes, like the remarkable and talented stars they are names for, will "wow" your guests. Shaggy's Vibe This drink celebrated the distinct but versatile talent of the reggae star, Shaggy. As smooth and sexy and fun as the Kingston-born, Grammy award winning singer it is named for, this recipe is very easy to make and will make you look like a pro. Cheer! Ingredients: (Serves 2) 1.0oz Banana Liqueur 1.0oz Coconut milk 1.0oz Melon Liqueur 2.0oz Pineapple Juice 1.0oz Coconut Rum Coconut flakes Preparation: Mix all liquids together and pour into a blender filled with ice. Blend until mixture is a slushy consistency. Top with coconut flakes. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. Optional: add a dash of grenadine. The Bolt This drink is named for the Jamaican track superstar who took the world by storm during the 2008 Summer Olympics. This drink is every bit as awe-inspiring and thrilling as its namesake, world record holder and Olympic Champion, Usain Bolt. Ingredients:  (Serves 4) 1 can lychees (8oz), drained 2 cups orange juice A splash of grenadine syrup 2 teaspoons sugar 1/3 cup rum 12 ice cubes 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice Preparation: Divide orange juice evenly between 4 large glasses. Pour a few drops of grenadine into juice. Stir once to give the mixture marbled effect. Blend lychees, sugar, rum, ice and lime juice until smooth. Carefully pour lychee mixture over orange juice and serve. |