In the heart of my cherished family traditions, our holiday celebrations come alive with a trio of culinary masterpieces, each a testament to love and heritage. 

The golden magic of my grandmother’s chin chin is still a delicious legacy we enjoy even though she is no longer with us.

The taste of seafood coconut rice is always a mix of nostalgia and mouth watering flavours. Fascinated by the mysterious nature of coconut, I’m reminded of my father. Anytime he cracked open the fruit, he would share stories of how no one truly knows how water finds its way into the coconut – a metaphor for life’s blessings that shower upon us without a clear origin.

My family gatherings and celebrations are never complete without a chapman cocktail, it has become a vessel for shared joy and cherished moments. 

Cheers to this season of celebration, the enduring spirit of family and the timeless embrace of love. Treat your family during this season of celebration and love with these timeless recipes:

Seafood Basmati Coconut Rice:

Ingredients:

Basmati rice 

Coconut milk(freshly extracted)

Water or Stock

Mixed seafood (shrimp, prawns, dry catfish)

Pre Cooked snails(optional)

Onion, finely chopped Garlic, minced

Ginger, grated

Red bell pepper, chopped

Curry powder

Seasoning cubes

Salt and pepper to taste

Spring onions for garnish

Instructions:

*Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

*In a large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, pepper, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the washed deboned catfish.

*Add the basmati rice, curry, thyme, seasoning cubes, coconut milk, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

*Heat some oil in a skillet, add the seasoned shrimps and prawns to the skillet and cook until they are cooked through.

*Add the cooked seafood and precooked snails to the rice and stir.

* Add the chopped spring onions to garnish 

*Serve

The Chapman cocktails 

Ingredients:

1 cup of blackcurrant cordial

1 cup of Orange Squash

1 cup of Fanta 

1 cup of Sprite

1 cup of Soda Water

1/2 cup of grenadine syrup

2-4 tablespoons of Angostura bitters 

Slices of lemon and cucumber 

Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a glass with ice cubes.

Pour in the blackcurrant cordial.

Add the orange squash

Add Fanta and Sprite to the mix.

Pour in the soda water.

Add grenadine syrup for sweetness.

Stir gently to combine the ingredients.

Garnish with slices of lemon and cucumber.

Enjoy your refreshing Chapman cocktail!

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