Christmas Feature 2015

Christmas Feature A GLEANER SPECIAL

2015 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:

APPRECIATE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS F

OR MANY Jamaicans, the Christmas season remains a spiritual one - a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to reaffirm one’s faith. It is also the time to step back from the stresses of life and to enjoy all that the season has to offer. I encourage you, therefore, to take a few moments to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. There is no greater gift than spending time with family and friends.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank and commend the many Jamaicans who continue to offer a helping hand to those in need by supporting many worthy causes in Jamaica. Your dedication and commitment do not go unnoticed. You remain central to ongoing efforts to ensure that we support each

other and build our beloved country.

Let me also express sincere appreciation to the many individuals, companies and community groups for consistently supporting the work of the High Commission. Your assistance and encouragement have been enormously valuable to us. We look forward to working with you in the coming year as we strive to promote the best of Jamaica.

Let me close by reminding you that Faith makes all things possible, Hope makes all things work, and Love makes all things beautiful.

My wish, therefore, is that you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of love at Christmas and always.

Merry Christmas!!

CLOSURE NOTICE

JAMAICAN HIGH COMMISSION THE HIGH Commission will be closed to the public on December 25th and 28th, 2015, as well as January 1st 2016, in observance of

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the Christmas and New Year public holidays.

The High Commission will also be closed at 2:00 pm on December

H.E Aloun Ndombet-Assamba High Commissioner for Jamaica

24th and 31st 2015 In addition to the above dates, the Consular Section (Citizenship/Passport/Visa/Authenti cation) will also be closed on December 29th, 30th and 31st December 2015. Normal operations will resume on 4th January 2016.

DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2015 • 15

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Food for Traditional Christmas Cake Ingredients 1.5 cup flour 8 ounces margarine or butter 8 ounces sugar 4 eggs 1 pound raisins 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 ounces mixed peel 4 ounces cherries 1/2 pound prunes (chopped) 1 cup wine/brandy 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon 2 tablespoons browning (or burnt brown sugar)

Traditional Christmas cake

Direction Cream butter, sugar and browning until soft and fluffy.

Sieve all dry ingredients together Beat eggs, wine/brandy together.

Add egg mixture to creamed butter and sugar.

Add fruits.

Add flour and fold in. Do no over-beat when mixing.

Bake at 350F for 1 1/2 hours.

Yield: 9’ round cake.

Roasted leg of lamb with carrots and honey mint sauce

Roasted leg of lamb with carrots and honey mint sauce Ingredients 1.5 cup flour 8 ounces margarine or butter 8 ounces sugar 4 eggs 1 pound raisins 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 ounces mixed peel 4 ounces cherries 1/2 pound prunes (chopped) 1 cup wine/brandy 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon 2 tablespoons browning (or burnt brown sugar)

Directions Heat oven to 400° F. In a food processor, pulse the lemon zest, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper until coarsely chopped.

Place the lamb in a large roasting pan and rub with the lemon mixture. In a large bowl, toss the carrots, 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside.

Roast the lamb to the desired doneness, 90 to 105 minutes for medium-rare (internal temperature registers 130° F*), adding the carrots to the pan after the lamb has cooked for 50 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Meanwhile, in the food processor, puree the parsley, mint, scallions, honey, lemon juice, the remaining 1/2 cup of oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Serve with the lamb and carrots.

Maple Roast Turkey Ingredients 2 cups apple cider 1/3 cup real maple syrup 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram 2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 3/4 cup butter Salt and ground black pepper to taste 14 pounds whole turkey, neck and giblets reserved 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup coarsely chopped carrots 2 cups chicken stock 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons apple brandy (optional)

Directions Boil apple cider and maple syrup in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 20 minutes).

Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 of the thyme and marjoram and all of the lemon zest. Add the butter, and whisk until melted.

Add salt and ground pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until cold (syrup can be made up to 2 days ahead).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place oven rack in the lowest third of oven.

Wash and dry turkey, and place in a large roasting pan.

Slide hand under skin of the breast to loosen.

Rub 1/2 cup of the maple butter mix under the breast skin. If planning on stuffing turkey, do so now. Rub 1/4 cup of the maple butter mixture over the outside of the turkey. With kitchen string, tie legs of turkey together loosely.

Arrange the chopped onion, chopped celery, and chopped carrot around the turkey in the roasting pan. If desired, the neck and giblets may be added to the vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining thyme and marjoram over the vegetables, and pour the chicken stock into the pan.

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Roast turkey 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cover turkey loosely with foil.

Continue to roast, about 3 to 4 hours unstuffed or 4 to 5 hours stuffed, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C) and stuffing reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). Transfer turkey to a platter, and cover with foil. Reserve pan mixture for gravy.

Allow turkey to sit about 25 minutes before removing stuffing and carving.

To Make Gravy: Strain pan juices into a measuring cup. Spoon fat from juices. Add enough chicken stock to make 3 cups. Transfer liquid to a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. In a small bowl, mix reserved maple butter mixture with flour to form a paste, and whisk into the broth.

Stir in thyme, bay leaf, and apple brandy. Boil until reduced and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Christmas Mocha Eggnog

Hot Buttered Rum Mix Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon rum extract Additional ingredients (for each serving): 3/4 cup boiling water Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the ice cream, cinnamon, nutmeg and extract. Transfer to a freezer container; freeze overnight.

Makes 3-1/2 cups mix.

To prepare hot drink: Dissolve 3-4 tablespoons of mix in boiling water; stir well. Yield: 14-18 servings.

Mocha Eggnog Ingredients 5 cups chocolate milk 4 cups eggnog 1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided 2 tablespoon instant coffee granules 2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon rum extract Directions In a large saucepan, combine the milk, eggnog, 1/2 cup cream and coffee granules; heat through.

Remove from the heat; stir in extracts. In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form.

Dollop over eggnog. Yield: 2-1/2 quarts.

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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2015 • 17

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LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS cushions for the season. Or check your favourite home d*cor store for the covers.

It’s a quick and easy way to bring the feeling of Christmas to your home.

Poinsettias speak of Christmas time - a pot or a few will brighten any d*cor.

Make a bouquet of dried plants (you may spray these), tie with a colourful ribbon and hang on your front door for a special welcome - your own home-made Christmas wreath.

these instead with small ornaments) to create an interesting tablescape.

Use Christmas ribbons to tie table napkins. You could add small ornaments to this or dried flowers.

Have children make placemats with Christmas designs for the dinner table.

Fay Wint-Smith is an interior designer/editor HHG (‘Health, Home & Garden’) Magazine

Use Christmas garlands as curtain toppers or drapery tie-backs. For an extra pop, add artificial poinsettias to these.

String colourful Christmas ornaments and use these as tie-backs.

T

WO DAYS to go and you’re just beginning to feel the Christmas spirit? Don’t worry, it’s not too late to add some sparkle to your home, which will help to bring the warm feeling of Christmas in.

HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO TRY OUT: A can of spray paint can

go a far way. Try spraying (silver, gold or other colour of choice) on to dried leaves, seed pods, dried heliconias and branches and use these in vases or in a tabletop arrangement. Breadfruit leaves are particularly good for this and could be sprayed and used as place mats for the dinner table. Spray-paint items at least a day before the big day. Remember to

use drop cloth or old newspaper.

Fill baskets or trays with pine cones, dried coconuts or colourful Christmas ball ornaments, and place on a table.

Make cushion covers out of Christmas fabrics (with poinsettias, etc.) and stuff these with your regular

Layer different fruits in a large glass bowl to create a natural centrepiece. You may top this with fresh flowers.

Group candles (preferably scented) on a tray and fill the spaces around with river stones, shells or ornaments.

Combine garland and empty ackee pods (filling

What’s your view? Let us hear from you. Email: theweeklygleaner@gleaneruk.com

Spruce Up Your Home at a Low Cost CHRISTMAS IS coming!

That means your homes will be full of family, friends and festivities. You don’t have to spend much money to make your home feel inviting.

Canvassed Walls – Accent walls are always great to brighten a room.

But you don’t have to paint an entire wall to achieve the accent effect. Get yourself a large canvas or small canvases along with some interior latex paint. After the paint has dried, hang them on a wall and watch the room transform. You can change the feel of any room in your home whenever you want with this accessory. And if you get tired of the look, you can change the colour or put it in storage until a special occasion arises.

Hanging Plates – Have plates that don’t get used?

Hang them on your wall!

Get wire plate hangers for your favourite plates.

Choose unexpected colours to draw the eyes of your guests. Mix it up!Ñby hanging a variety of plates, even plates of different colours.

Wicker Furniture – Bring the beach home! Lighten up you living space with wicker furniture. Easy to move around, functional indoors and outdoorsÑwicker furniture is a cheap and easy way to enrich your living space, while still offering versatility in style. Add bright colour or throw a blanket over the back of a wicker chair. Going home will feel

like entering to a villa!

Printed Artwork – Everything’s online! Show off your taste and creativity by printing artwork. Browse the web for geometric patterns or line art. Slip your prints into some simple photo-frames and voila! Art! Maybe you can pick up a pencil or marker and draw these designs yourself. All you would need to buy are a few frames.

Gallery Wall – Make your space feel like a gallery. Take out a few of your family photos (or some of your best selfies) and insert them into hanging photo-frames. Hang them in a tight grid on a wall of your choice to create a focal point in the room.

Remember, geometric shapes are just as artistic as abstract ones. You can’t go wrong with hanging family photos (or selfies!). Once

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again, all you would need to buy are a few photo-frames.

Stacked Books – This tip is at zero cost to you! Gather books or magazines lying around the house, or pull some from your bookshelf.

Stacking books on a flat surface is a surefire way to heighten a room’s intrigue.

Guests will be drawn in, looking into what you read and you will find that they’ve already begun to entertain themselves! If you don’t have that many books, go out and get some coffeetable books or magazines!

Reflect the Room – Prop a large mirror against a wall. This is a popular with trick interior designers, used to create the illusion of instant additional square footage in a room. Make sure the mirror is at least – the length of the wall. You’ll be surprised at how much larger everything looks!

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