Leading and Love

Food

Jerk Honey Glazed Chicken with Coconut Rice and Ginger Sorrel Punch

Serves 4–6 | Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins

Our Story Behind the Dish

The holidays in our home are a mix of island rhythm, African warmth, and Canadian snow. There is Christmas music playing, sometimes reggae, sometimes soulful gospel. Candles glow, laughter echoes, and our table somehow reflects all three parts of our story.

This dish is a sweet one that everyone races to on a weeknight in the midst of festivities. It brings the sweet heat of Gary’s Jamaican roots, the comforting coconut of my Tanzanian heritage, and the cozy richness that Canada offers during the season. It is not complicated; it is simply filled with flavor, warmth, and love. It reminds us that what makes a house a home is not perfection but togetherness.

Ingredients

For the Jerk Honey Glazed Chicken

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs or a mix of thighs and drumsticks

• 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning (store bought or homemade)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon ground allspice

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Coconut Rice

• 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed

• 1 can (400 ml) coconut milk

• 1½ cups water

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut, toasted for garnish

For the Ginger Sorrel Punch

• 2 cups dried hibiscus petals (sorrel)

• 6 cups water

• 1½ tablespoons grated fresh ginger

• 4 whole cloves

• 1 stick cinnamon

• Peel of 1 orange

• ½ cup brown sugar or pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Optional: ½ cup dark rum or a splash of red wine for a festive touch

Instructions

Start with connection.
Marinating the chicken is about patience, the kind that builds flavor and trust at the same time. In a large bowl, whisk together the jerk seasoning, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, honey, ginger, garlic, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Toss in the chicken and coat it completely.
If Gary is nearby, let him take over the tossing. It always turns into a small dance, the kind that ends with laughter and a playful shoulder bump. Cover and let it rest for at least two hours, or overnight if you have the time to let love deepen.

Create the warmth.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay the chicken on a foil-lined pan, skin side up, ready to turn golden. As it roasts, the house begins to smell like memory, with spice and sweetness swirling together like conversation over music. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, brushing with honey during the final minutes for that glossy finish everyone reaches for.

Move to comfort.
In a saucepan, pour the coconut milk and water, and bring it to a gentle boil. Add the rice, salt, and cinnamon if you enjoy that quiet note of spice in the background. Let it simmer until soft, then fluff with a fork. Toasted coconut on top adds a whisper of elegance, the same kind that makes a weeknight feel like an occasion.

Craft the celebration.
The Ginger Sorrel Punch deserves its own spotlight. Rinse the hibiscus petals, then simmer them with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel. Let the scent fill the room, rich and festive, both tart and floral. Remove from heat and allow it to steep. When it is ready, strain and stir in the sugar and vanilla while still warm. Serve it chilled for a crisp sparkle or warm for comfort. Add your personal splash if you like a little holiday cheer. (We usually wink at each other when we do.)

Bring it all together.
Serve the chicken beside a scoop of coconut rice, and pour a glass of sorrel punch that glows red against the candlelight. Let the table feel full, with food, with laughter, and with those small glances that still say, “I see you.”

From Julie

Each holiday season reminds me that love, much like flavor, has layers that reveal themselves with time. The coconut softens the spice, the sweetness brings balance, and together they create harmony. Our family feels the same way, beautifully imperfect yet whole in its design.

When I think back to the holidays of my childhood, I remember the laughter, the dancing, and the scent of food weaving joy through every corner of the home. Those gatherings were not about extravagance but about beauty in simplicity and love expressed through presence and care. That is the spirit I carry forward, creating spaces filled with warmth and connection that linger long after the evening ends.

From Gary

For me, Christmas has always been a time of reflection and gratitude. I remember quiet gatherings, the aroma of home-cooked food, and the stillness that allowed me to appreciate what mattered most. Over the years, being together has brought a brighter kind of joy to the season, a rhythm of laughter and light that makes our home come alive.

The snow may fall outside, but inside, our kitchen stays warm with music, love, and a peace that feels deeply rooted. Together, we have found that the heart of the holidays is not found in perfection but in the presence we bring to one another.

As the year draws to a close, may your table be full, your hearts light, and your spirits renewed. Whether shared in laughter or quiet gratitude, may this meal remind you that healing begins where warmth and love meet. Gather your people, pour the punch, and celebrate all that has been built to last.