The yam is a popular root foot found all over the Caribbean. This starch comes in different types and varieties and is a popular food all around the world.

However, yams and cassava in Jamaican were raised to fame when track star Usain Bolt’s talent was claimed to be related to yam and cassava consumption.

Today, we offer you a great Jamaican Yam Salad recipe to accompany your Sunday dinner. You may not get as fast as Usain Bolt, but it is a start.

Recipe of the Day: Jamaican Yam Salad

Preparation time: 10m
Cooking time: 15m

Ingredients

For 6 people

• 2 pounds yellow yam
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 pound string beans
• 1/4 pound carrots
• 1 small onion
• 1 small red sweet pepper
• 1 small green sweet pepper
• 1 can Green Peas
• 4 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 4 large lettuce leaves

Directions

1. Peel, wash and cut yellow yam into cubes.
2. Bring water to a boil in a sauce pot, add yam and salt and boil until fork tender.
3. Cut string beans into three or four pieces, peel and dice carrots, blanch vegetables.

4. Chop onions and peppers, add yam, vegetables, Green Peas, Mayonnaise and toss lightly.
5. Put the salad to chill in a refrigerator for about 30 minutes.To Serve: Arrange on a bed of lettuce and then serve.

Enjoy.

Banana bread is a popular dessert in many parts of the world, but today we give you a recipe for a Jamaican styled Banana Bread that you will love ;). Check out the recipe below.

Ingredients:

Serving size: 6 people

• 1/3 cup Margarine
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 cups cake and pastry flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup milk or water (if desired)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F.
2. Cream Margarine and granulated sugar, add beaten egg and vanilla.
3. Mash ripe bananas and add to the above mixture.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg, adding alternately with mashed banana mixture.
5. Fold in raisins, the mixture should drop easily from a spoon.  If not, add a little water or milk until consistency is reached.
6. Scrape mixture into a greased loaf pan and bake until golden brown, and a skewer inserted, comes out clean.

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About the writer:
Poetess Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 40 books, for more than ten years and enjoys volunteering as a Counselor. She is a trainer, publisher, author, and writing mentor; helping others to achieve their dreams.

Check out her book Treasures of Colombia

This book shares some of the delicious cuisine found in Colombia; from empanadas to arepa boyacense, and bandeja paisa to arepa de huevo. Colombian street food is especially important in Colombian culture because it brings people together. They enjoy sitting in groups with family or friends, blocking off the sidewalks and alleyways as they devour tasty morsels of Colombian cuisine steeped in spices and ingredients.

Available at all online book retailers and Amazon.com.