Neighborhood Eats: Feeding Tree serving up taste of Jamaica in the Bronx
HIGHBRIDGE (WABC) -- This winter, we could all use an escape to somewhere warm, perhaps Jamaica.
And we're getting a taste of the island in this week's Neighborhood Eats.
Just hop a train to the Bronx. That's where you'll find Feeding Tree, a go-to spot for Yankee fans and people who work at the nearby courthouses.
It's located at 892 Gerard Avenue in the Highbridge section.
'When I was a kid in Jamaica, I used to go to a tree to shoot birds, and there's a tree that has feeding for the birds, so when I migrated this was my dream, to open a restaurant and called it Feeding Tree," said Phil Salmon, whose dream came true back in 1992.
And 23 years later, he's still living the dream, serving up Jamaican food just down the street from Yankee Stadium.
"When it's the ballgame season, oh my gosh it's unbelievable," said Phil's sister Jennifer, who's in business with him.
They learned to cook from their parents and they keep things interesting with a little kitchen sparring.
"We have contests a lot, we are always competing," she said, over who is a better cook.
"I think I'm the better cook," said Phil. "When she makes a mistake, I correct it". "Funny guy," Jennifer said, laughing.
Well, it's working for them, because people love the food..the oxtail, the curries, the soups, stews, the greens, and the jerk.
Oxtail will stick to your ribs in the winter and the jerk will warm you up.
The jerk seasoning is made in house, of scotch bonnet peppers, pimento seeds, thyme, onions, vinegar, sugar and salt.
It's mixed with shrimp, which are added to a pan of onions, peppers and carrots. A little stock goes in and it's served with a side of rice.
It's that easy and you'll feel like you're under the Jamaican sun.
"This is a place my grandmother always came to so it brings me back to her when I come here everytime," one customer said.
"Hot Jamaican sauce, very hot and spicy..it's the real deal," said another.
Which is probably why Feeding Tree has been feeding people for so many years.
"When they come and say your food is good I say thank you, that is satisfying," Jennifer said.
Recipe for jerk shrimp
Jerk ingredients:
2 Garlic cloves
1 bunch Scallions(just trim and use the white part)
2 tsp Thyme
1 tsp fresh Ginger
cup vinegar
cup water water
cup brown sugar
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
2 scotch bonnet peppers (diced)
1 tsp pimento seeds
Salt as needed
Blend all ingredients in food processor into a paste.
Set a tsp aside and dilute with a cup water. You will use this when cooking.
Recipe for jerk shrimp:
Ingredients:
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1 onion thinly sliced
6 large shrimp, deveined and shells removed
1 TBS cooking oil
Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Saute pepper, carrot and onions.
As they saute, rub shrimp with 2 tsp of the jerk paste.
After vegetables saute for 5 minutes, add the shrimp. Cook for about 4-6 minutes until the shrimp is no longer translucent. Add the diluted jerk sauce and cook for about 1 minute more.
Serve with your favorite rice or sides.
VIDEO: Chef Jennifer Salmon's 7 favorite ingredients
