Slow-cooked courgettes on toast

From Mark-Mi-Words's blog, with thanks.

Cooked this way they lose most of their moisture and become a thick, fragrant, chunky mass. They can be used as a pasta sauce (just add a little cream) or the base for a lovely soup (blend with a little stock and/or milk). They also make a great toast topping/ bruschetta, which is my favourite.

Serves six.

3 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1kg courgettes, finely sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the toast/bruschetta
6 slices of coarse country bread
1 garlic clove, cut in half
Extra-virgin olive oil, or butter
Parmesan, or other grateable cheese (optional)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then add the garlic, courgettes and a little salt. Cook gently, so the courgettes soften without browning. As they release their water, turn up the heat to bubble it off. When they become more concentrated and pulpy, turn it down again. Stir whenever they begin to catch on the pan, and do not allow them to brown more than a shade. Keep cooking until they are rich and oily, but not watery. Check seasoning. Grill the bread, rub each side with garlic, and trickle with olive oil or melted butter. Pile a mound of the hot courgette mixture on top, grate over a little cheese, if you like, and serve.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Serves 4

1 pound skinless chicken breasts
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon style mustard
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cubes chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients except the chicken and pour into a shallow baking dish or sealable plastic bag. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and place in refrigerator to marinate for between 4 hours to overnight. Preheat grill. Remove chicken from marinade and pour marinade into a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Place chicken on grill cooking approximately 7 to 10 minutes per side (or until done), basting periodically with remaining marinade.

Serve with rice - traditionally rice and peas (rice with red kidney beans)