Some people have already received the food baskets offered by the government to help the vulnerable families during the most recent tightening of covid19 restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on May 3.

A total of 25,000 food baskets are expected to be given to the 41 MPs for distribution to their constituents.

Sourced by certified farmers and provided by the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco), the baskets contain approximately :

Five lbs of sweet potato, five lbs of dasheen, two bundles of dasheen leaves, five lbs of cassava, four lbs of plantain, five lbs of squash, five lbs of pineapple, ten units of citrus, four lbs of paw paw, four lbs of cucumbers, two lbs of bodi, three lbs of sweet pepper, ten units of hot pepper, five lbs of tomatoes, four lbs of melongene, ten units of ochro, and two four-lbs chickens.

Professional chefs, amateur chefs, and foodies alike exclaimed at the large amount of food in each basket, and decided to share their suggestions and recipes for turning the ingredients, with the help of a few others that you probably should get if you intend to do more cooking, into delicious meals.

The first meal is a contribution by Chef Brigette Joseph, director of the food business consultancy firm, Chef Brigette and Co.

“Now, more than ever, it is important for us to be healthy. For us, health always starts in the kitchen. It is important to eat meals that are good for you, nutrient dense and of course, delicious.”

She said it is important that people “maximise the items” in their cupboards to reduce expenses and explained how to do so with the chicken, complete with bones, in order to extract all the nutrients.

“Chicken broth has more than 19 easy-to-absorb, essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins and essential for digestive health and immune system support. The amino acids released when making chicken broth reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and improved digestion. And sweet potato is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, which also helps support your immune system.”

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW

Ingredients:

1 eggplant / melongene (medium, unpeeled, and diced)

2 tomatoes (small, diced)

1 onion (small, diced)

1 tbsp garlic

1 cup tomato paste

1 teaspoon geera

1 pimento (chopped finely)

1 sprig chadon Beni

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

Method:

1. Prepare the veggies: dice the unpeeled eggplant, tomatoes, pimento and onions into small pieces. Set aside.

2. In a large frying pan, add the garlic, tomato paste, geera, salt, cayenne pepper, and water and stir well.

3. Add the veggies and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the melongene is tender. Add chadon beni and stir in. Set aside until chicken is ready.

POACHED CHICKEN

Ingredients :

1 (4-pound) chicken, whole

1 medium onion, peeled and quartered

2 medium carrots, quartered,

1 chive

3 sprigs fresh fine thyme or 1 teaspoon dried t