The Real Jerk. Lily Pottinger

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       THE REALJERK

       THE REALJERK

      NEW

       CARIBBEAN

       CUISINE

      LILY & ED POTTINGER

      THE REAL JERK: New Caribbean Cuisine

       Copyright © 2002 by Lily & Ed Pottinger

      Third printing: 2007

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may use brief excerpts in a review, or in the case of photocopying, a license from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency.

      ARSENAL PULP PRESS

      Suite 101-211 East Georgia Street,

      Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z6

      arsenalpulp.com

      The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program for its publishing activities.

      Book and cover design by Lisa Eng-Lodge

       Production assistance by Judy Yeung

       Edited by Melva McLean with Brian Lam

       Food photography by Greg Athans

       Food styling by Nathan Fong

       Printed and bound in Canada

      The authors and publisher assert that the information contained in this book is true and complete to the best of their knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the authors and Arsenal Pulp Press. The authors and publisher disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information. For more information, contact the publisher.

      NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA:

       Pottinger, Lily

       The Real Jerk

      ISBN 1-55152-115-6

      1. Cookery, Caribbean. 2. Real Jerk (Restaurant) I. Pottinger, Ed. II. Title.

       TX716.A1P67 2002 641.5’09713’541 C2002-910832-2

      ISBN 13 978-1-55152-115-2

      CONTENTS

Introduction

Cooking Tips

Sauces, Salsas, Dips, and Dressings

Soups and Salads

       Fish

       Seafood

       Meat and Poultry

       Side Dishes

       Breads and Snacks

       Desserts

       Drinks

       Menu Ideas

       Glossary

       Index

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      There are so many people to thank for showing their support and whom we have come to know and respect and appreciate.

      We would like to thank God for his many blessings, all the doors he has open and for the paths he has led us. We would also like to thank our wonderful customers for their support over the past eighteen years; Fred Challenger, who gave us a place to live when we couldn’t find one; Greg Lawson, for his moral support; Ann Pottinger, for her encouragement, and for being a supportive family member; to mama Carmen Cole and mom Olive Gouldbourne, for their continuous prayers and open ears; Will and Siva, for their input; and all the great Real Jerk staff.

      We would like to give special thanks to Miss P, chef at The Real Jerk, who has never failed to give 100 percent, and Natalie Williams, who drives us crazy but never fails to deliver the goods, for her contributions to this book and for being a loyal employee. We would also like to recognize those whose help in the early days of the Jerk has never been forgotten: Paula Munch and Reenie Keely, for designing the Jerk, and “Easy” Ed, who loaned us $300 for the restaurant the day we met him. Also, in 1996, when we were faced with a do-or-die situation, a couple whom we had known briefly, Mike and Susie Kalintiz, blessed us in an incredible way, and we will always be indebted to them for their kindness.

      Ed and I are delighted to give our gratitude to Blaine Kyllo, whose suggestion for this book has finally given me the ability to start and finish a project for the first time. (I am the jack-of-all-trades, but master of none!) Thanks, Blaine. We would also like to say a special thank you to Brian Lam, Mel McLean, and the Arsenal Pulp Press family for their trust, patience, and giving us this opportunity to present The Real Jerk to you.

      Last but not least, we thank our three wonderful children, Troy, Cleigh, and June, whom God blessed us with, and who provide us with the inspiration to get up and “go go” every day

      And for all those who have crossed our paths and provided positive inspiration: Irie!

INTRODUCTION

       LILY:

      I was the third child in a family of ten. I was an independent-minded and happy child, and I learned at an early age that I would probably have to work hard if I was going to be successful. By the age of six, I was already helping with washing, cooking, farming, and marketing for the family. With so many children in the house, space was at a premium. Privacy was rare. Still, my mother always told me that I was special; as a treat, she often left a piece of coconut toto or roasted breadfruit, wrapped in a towel, at the bottom of the dining-room cabinet, that was just for me.

      I have many happy memories of growing up in Jamaica: going to the river to catch crawfish; waking up early to fetch water for the family’s breakfast; picking pimentos during the summer on a large farm run by “Mr. Nick”; cooking on the beach with family and friends.

      On Fridays, my father always brought home fresh fish, and my mom either fried it up or she’d make