People often chuckle about me being a reggae dude in Edmonton, which often seems like the most un-Jamaican place in the world. Certainly, trudging down Jasper Avenue with the icy fingers of an Edmonton winter clamped firmly around your balls is a far cry from wandering the beaches of Montego Bay, but it’s pretty easy and affordable to seek out some Jamaican vibes without getting on a plane.

$11.25: Chicken Roti and Ting

First of all, sleep in late. Your Jamaican Saturday will start with lunch at the small but mighty Irie Foods (2807 Mill Woods Road). If they have it, I highly recommend the chicken roti ($9), which is spicy curried magnificence. If not, their jerk chicken (also $9) is quite delicious, served over a bed of rice and peas with a dumpling. They have a variety of Jamaican sodas, including Ting, the Jamaican equivalent of Fresca, for $2.25 a bottle.

$4 and change: Jerk Sauce and Sweet Soda

Next you will need to get some fixings for dinner. Venture into Superstore and get a bottle of President’s Choice “Memories of Montego Bay” jerk sauce for $2.50. I have tried many jerk sauces over the years, and President’s Choice has them all beat, a perfect combination of heat and flavour. Also consider picking up some other Jamaican swag in the Ethnic Foods aisle, such as Grace Hot Pepper Sauce ($1.99) and some Grace Pineapple sodas (98 cents a bottle). Jamaican sodas can be insanely sweet, so drink with caution.

$5: DVD Rental

Your next stop should be Sneak Preview Video (4047-106 St.) to rent The Harder They Come. This is the incredible Jamaican B-movie starring Jimmy Cliff as country bumpkin turned singer turned desperate outlaw. Look for my quote on the back cover of the DVD.

$12: Dub Warriors

Your Saturday night will need a soundtrack. Check out the reggae offerings at Blackbyrd, Southside Sound, or Sound Connection. A new Soul Jazz collection will set you back $27.99, so to make the $50 stretch further, try the used section. I picked up the spacey Deliverance by Revolutionary Dub Warriors for $12.

Let’s see—that adds up to about $32.75 so far. You have two options now, depending on what’s in your kitchen. If you already have some chicken, rice, and kidney beans on hand, head to the liquor store and pick up a six-pack of Red Stripe beer (around $14 with tax). If not, forgo the beer and buy them at the grocery store (also about $12). Give the chicken a light brushing of the President’s Choice sauce and marinate it for at least a couple of hours. A barbecue or grill is the only way to cook jerk chicken. Make up some rice, mix in the kidney beans, and season with some butter and salt. Put your new platter on the stereo, get hip with the jerk chicken and Red Stripes and enjoy the movie. If at any point you put on one of those fake dreadlock wigs, I’ll kick your ass.

Wanna try it? Send your idea for 50Buck to stories@see.greatwest.ca.