Planning an island getaway? Or missing the taste of Jamaica? Try out these authentic recipes!
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Hungry for a little jerk?? If you’re heading to the island and you like a little heat you’ll definitely want to try the Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 12 garlic cloves
- 10 Scotch bonnet or 15 small habanero chiles, stemmed, seeded*
- 8 scallions (white and pale-green parts only), chopped
- 1 3-inch piece peeled ginger, sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tablespoons whole allspice
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon powdered adobo seasoning**
- 1/2 teaspoon Maggi Liquid Seasoning
*Scotch bonnet and habanero chiles are available at some supermarkets and at Latin markets.
**Look for powdered adobo seasoning at Latin markets.
Preparation
- Pierce chicken all over with tip of a small knife; transfer to a large bowl. Purée remaining ingredients and 1/4 cup water in a blender until smooth. Reserve 1 cup for dipping sauce, if desired. Pour remaining marinade over chicken; massage into chicken. (To protect your hands from the chiles' heat, wear latex gloves.) Cover; chill for at least 1 day and up to 2 days.
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. Build a medium-low fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to medium. Place chicken on grill, skin side up. Cook covered, turning often, until skin is crisp and lightly charred and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest parts of chicken registers 160° (breasts) or 165° (thighs), 30–45 minutes. Transfer to a platter and tent loosely with foil; let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with reserved dipping sauce, if desired.
Traditionally, on island jerk is served with festival bread. Basically this is deep fried cornbread. Yum-o!!
Jamaican Banana Fritters
Looking for a Saturday morning breakfast that's a little more fun than the usual French Toast? Test out your kitchen skills with these Jamaican Banana Fritters. Of course, cooking them for yourself is not the same as having them straight from the source at Sandals Montego Bay, but in a pinch, this will curb the craving for these deep-fried delights!! Thanks Cook Like A Jamaican for the delicious island breakfast!!
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup mashed overripe Bananas (about 5 medium bananas)
- 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- ¼ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract
- pinch Salt
- 1 cup all-purpose Flour
- 1-2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp granulated Sugar (I prefer powdered sugar)
Preparation (Makes 12 large fritters)
- Mash bananas with sugar and spices; stir flour into banana mixture.
- Heat 1 or 2 Tbsp cooking oil on High and, using a serving spoon, spoon batter into pan.
- Fry fritters until crisp and brown on both sides; you may have to add more cooking oil. When you press them if no batter oozes out they’re done.
- Remove fritters from pan and place on paper towel. Sprinkle with white sugar (or powdered) and eat warm.
If just a taste of Jamaica isn't good enough and only the real thing will do, let’s start planning your Jamaica getaway!! Submit a no-obligation quote request and we'll help match your preferences to create the perfect Jamaican honeymoon package. No worries 'mon! Then the countdown to delicious Jamaican cuisine can begin!!
Request a Honeymoon Quote | Start Planning Your Destination Wedding
