Film Night at Home with Sister Paula!

Raising the Curtains AND Awareness at the same time in her quirky fundraising idea. Film Night and Cornmeal Pone… What’s the recipe?

“This is a Pone to raise funds for Kasssi” says Sister Paula…. She also says… “It is made of cornmeal and includes all the other goodies that goes into making this scrumptious Jamaican sweet. It is £1.00 per slice or whatever my guests can afford.”

Wait for the story to unfold……..

Sister Paula provides the recipe … but only after I take you on a Patois journey in gastronomic delight…!!

“My goodness… Mi caah believe seh anyt’ing deh weh sweet like de Jamaican, Cornmeal Pone! You tell me weh sweeter dan a slice ah dis!! Me-a salivate right now… jus’ t’inking ‘bout piece! Y’u nuh even need a big poshan… See if y’u all diabetic an’ t’ing? Jus’ a small piece will hit di spot… QUICK!! If y’u get dis wid a nice refreshing cool drink or even supp’n hot… y’u might guh-back fi piece more… BELIEVE!! den y’u blood- sugar jus’ rise and rise like temperature in a Jamaican afternoon!!

Of course Sister Paula have taken this into consideration by substituting the sugar with honey and the Olive Oil for butter. She says the raisins carry a natural sweetness and coconut milk is used. In addition This Pone has a kick because she added a tad of Ray and Nephew RUM “so it’s packed with goodness” she laughed! Perhaps it should be called a PONY (pun intended!!)

Sister Paula recounted a story from her childhood where either Granny Aunt Maude or Granny Agnes would prepare the pone on an open fire with hot coals… I must confess to not listening keenly to the story, as I was busy “sampling” the delight!! However, Sister Paula said this extremely scrumptious delicacy was historically described as “Hell a top, hell a bottom, hallelujah in between”? Well, in the traditional way of baking it, the hot coals (hell) are placed both above and below the baking pan, cooking the mixture (hallelujah) in between.


Yea yea yea…What ever…..!!

Although cornmeal/ potato pone is often baked in a regular oven, the traditional method is still widely in use. However, Sister Paula is not in a position to utilize traditional methods. Indeed Sister Paula is severely incapacitated physically and uses a wheelchair to get around. Just to give you an idea… the mixing of the ingredients required a monumental effort and a number of rest breaks. Still her perseverance and aptitude are clearly in evidence.

Sister Paul has set up a “Film Night” approximately one evening per month at her home. This is where she has casual social interaction with others. You are aware of how difficult it is for a person in a wheel chair to access the Theatre and the Cinema… right? Sister Paula also uses these gatherings as a means to expose people to her family’s charity KASSSI. This Pone will be sliced and sold at a gathering… “£1 per slice or what ever a person can afford” said Sister Paul. Perfectly reasonable I think!!

How selfless, how considerate, how determined, HOW BLESSED… to be able to think of others… time and time again.. over and above her own trials and upheavals.

Ingredients
5 cups or 2 1/2 tins Coconut Milk or Cream
2 cups Cornmeal
1/2 cup grated Coconut
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 to 1 cup Brown Sugar to taste/ Honey
2 teaspn Vanilla Flavoring
1 teaspn Cinnamon (optional)
1 teaspn Nutmeg (optional)
1/2 to 1 cup Raisins, or Mixed Fruit
** Rum.. Honey… Butter!!
…..

Preparation

You will need a 12″ round x 4″ deep heat resistant container.
Mix ingredients together.
Check consistency to make sure the mixture is not too thick… add water or coconut milk until it pours easily.
Butter the container before pouring in the mixture.
Bake at about 370 °F until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, and the top is a nice golden brown … about 1 hour.
Allow to cool.

Sister Paula confesses that these measurements are extremely vague and that she has used “trial and error” over the years to arrive at this point!! Typical Jamaican… “A little bit of this and a little bit of that!”
Cornmeal Pone can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature. Delicious no matter how you have it… even naked!

Allow to cool… or not!!

Eat … Enjoy … and Support KASSSI!!

The moral of this story is… not everyone can do a sponsored run or walk, a bungee jump or a swim… from her wheelchair sister Paula continues to support children and families that are less fortunate than her! How is this possible you ask? Speak to her!!’