Cook With Me at the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival

Hey foodies! 👋

Welcome back to another Cook With Me adventure. I’m so excited to share my second time at the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival, and let me tell you — it was even more amazing than the first!

There’s something so special about the energy at this festival. The aromas of spices, the sound of sizzling pans, and the joy of cooking together with passionate people always makes me feel inspired. In this episode, I learned to prepare an incredible lineup of dishes — from a smooth Espresso Martini to a rich and comforting Dried Fruit Stuffed Pork Tenderloin — and I had the BEST time connecting with fellow food lovers.

If you missed the video, you can catch all the action here 👉 Watch on YouTube

Ready to bring a taste of the festival into your own kitchen? I’ve listed all the recipes we made so you can recreate them at home.

🍸 Espresso Martini (Serves 1)

A bold and velvety cocktail that’s the perfect pick-me-up.

Ingredients:

  • ½ oz Simple Syrup

  • 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

  • 2 oz Vodka

  • 1 oz Espresso

  • 3 Coffee Beans (for garnish)

Equipment: Shaker, Muddler, Martini Glass

Method:

  1. Add 4 ice cubes to a shaker.

  2. Pour in all ingredients.

  3. Shake for 30 seconds.

  4. Strain into a martini glass.

  5. Garnish with coffee beans and enjoy!

🐖 Dried Fruit Stuffed Pork Tenderloin (Serves 4)

A savory-sweet showstopper that’s perfect for dinner parties.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Pork Tenderloin

  • 1 tsp Garlic (minced)

  • ½ tsp Ginger (grated)

  • 1 oz Butter

  • 2 Tbsp Spice Mix (see below)

  • ½ cup Cranberries

  • ½ cup Apricots

  • ½ cup Raisins

  • 1 cup Water

  • Salt & Pepper

Spice Mix:

  • 1 Tbsp Paprika

  • 1 Tbsp Chili Powder

  • 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

  • 2 tsp Cumin Powder

  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder

  • 1 tsp Onion Powder

Equipment: Sauté Pan, Sheet Pan, Cast Iron Skillet

Method:

  1. Sauté the spice mix with butter.

  2. Add dried fruits, garlic, ginger, and water. Simmer until fragrant.

  3. Butterfly and pound the pork tenderloin evenly.

  4. Season, then stuff with the fruit mixture.

  5. Roll and secure with toothpicks.

  6. Sear in a cast iron pan, then bake at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

  7. Rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

🥔 Cheesy Mashed Potatoes (Serves 4)

Creamy, cheesy, and simply irresistible.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Irish Potatoes (cubed)

  • Salt & Pepper

  • 2 oz Butter (cubed)

  • 1 cup Milk

  • 1 tsp Garlic (minced)

  • 1 sprig Rosemary

  • 1 Tbsp Parsley (chopped)

  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar

  • 1 cup Mozzarella

Equipment: Large Pot

Method:

  1. Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, then drain.

  2. Simmer butter, garlic, rosemary, and milk in a separate pot.

  3. Mash the potatoes and add the milk mixture gradually.

  4. Stir in parsley and cheddar.

  5. Top with mozzarella and bake at 350°F until golden brown.

🌿 Wilted Spinach (Serves 4)

A quick and healthy side dish with buttery, garlicky goodness.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Spinach

  • 1 oz Olive Oil

  • 1 oz Butter

  • 1 tsp Garlic (minced)

  • Salt & Pepper

Equipment: Large Sauté Pan

Method:

  1. Sauté spinach in olive oil and butter until wilted.

  2. Add garlic, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

🍫 Brownies with Coffee Whipped Cream (Serves 4)

Rich, fudgy brownies paired with a luscious coffee-infused cream.

Brownie Ingredients:

  • 8 oz Unsalted Butter (melted and cooled)

  • 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

  • 1¼ cups White Sugar

  • 1 cup Light Brown Sugar

  • 4 Large Eggs

  • 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

  • ¾ tsp Salt

  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour

  • 1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

  • 7 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Coffee Whipped Cream:

  • 2 cups Cream

  • ½ cup Icing Sugar

  • 1 Tbsp Instant Coffee

Equipment: Mixer, Aluminum Pans

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Mix wet ingredients, then fold in dry ingredients.

  3. Stir in most of the chocolate chips.

  4. Pour into a greased pan, top with remaining chips.

  5. Bake 25–30 minutes for fudgy brownies or 35–40 minutes for a firmer texture.

  6. Let cool before slicing.

  7. Whip cream with icing sugar and coffee until soft peaks form.

  8. Serve whipped cream on top of brownies.

✨ Final Thoughts

This class was a perfect mix of learning, fun, and flavor — just what I love about cooking! Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, these recipes are approachable and full of Caribbean-inspired flair.

I’d love to hear from you! Which recipe are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below the YouTube video.

Until next time — happy cooking! 🥄💛


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