SPICY FOOD, OTHER COUNTIRES

I have tried several types of ethnic food since I have friends from several countries.  I met them at work, my neighborhood, church, social clubs, when I traveled.  Here are the recipes for some of the dishes I tried.

 

 EASY JERK GRILLED CHICKEN

8 legs and thighs
1 Bottle Lawry's Caribbean Jerk Marinade

Place chicken in zip lock bag.  Pour half bottle of jerk sauce over chicken.  Marinate 30 minutes.
Preheat grill pan. Lightly oil the grates. Pour other half of marinade in small bowl. Cook chicken on prepared grill in batches.  Brush  both sides with marinade during grill process.  Grill until juices run clear.

 Jamaican Jerk Rub

1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper *
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES

DOUGH
3 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp curry powder
1 C cold butter or shortening
3/4 C iced water
1 T vinegar
2 egg yolks
Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1/4 cup water)

Combine flour, salt, and curry powder in work bowl of food processor, pulse to combine. Add the butter or shortening and process until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. In a bowl combine water, vinegar, and egg yolks. Add wet mixture to work bowl and pulse until a ball forms. Cover dough in plastic wrap and let rest in refrigerator for 1/2 hour.

FILLING 
2 T oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 sprigs scallions, sliced
1 T fresh thyme
1/2 tsp Scotch Bonnet pepper, chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
Water
1 C bread crumbs
 
Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat, add onions, scallions, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers. When onion look soft, add ground beef, salt, and enough water to barely cover meat, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Add bread crumbs and allow to cool.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll the dough out to 1/8-inch thick. Cut the dough into 6-inch circles. Place 2 tablespoons of the meat filling onto half of each dough round. Brush the edges of the dough with the egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling to make a half moon shape and press to seal. Place the patties on foil lined cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes.

Jamaican Rice and Peas

 

• 1 (14oz) can light coconut milk
• 1/4 C water
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1C long-grain white rice 
• 1 (15 oz) can dark kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Combine the first 7 ingredients (through garlic) in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. Stir in rice; reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove pan from heat; remove the thyme sprigs and garlic, and discard. Gently stir in the beans. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.