Jamaica residents have come from around the globe, bringing with them the cooking techniques, flavors, spices and recipes of their homelands and blending them with the bountiful harvest of this tropical island. The result is some of the most flavorful cuisine in the Caribbean.
Here’s a look at the many dishes that fill Jamaican menus. Some of these are seen in tourist restaurants, while others are primarily home-cooked dishes, sometimes made for special holidays and events.CLICK HERE to learn how to get paid to travel
Jamaican Recipes
Ackee and Saltfish
Ingredients
1/2 pound Saltfish (codfish)
1 dozen ackees
1 small onion
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 sprig thyme
1 crushed garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 slices hot scotch bonnet pepper
1 small red sweet pepper
Cooking oil
Method
Soak saltfish in water to remove some of the salt or boil in water for 5-7 minutes.
Clean the ackee. Remove the seeds and all traces of interior red pit from the ackees. Wash ackees five times
Cover and boil until moderately soft. Drain, cover, and put aside.
Pick up (flake) the saltfish and remove all bones. Sauté thinly sliced onions and sweet pepper rings.
Remove half of the fried onions and peppers. Add saltfish and the ackees, and turn the fire/stove up slightly. Add black pepper
Pour in to serving plate and garnish with remaining onions and pepper slices. Serve with boil banana and/or fried dumplings.
Caribbean Island Cuisine
Johnny Cakes - Fried Dumpling
Ingredients
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1.5 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup cold water
1 cup vegetable oil for frying
Method
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Cut in the butter or margarine until the mixture forms marble-sized dough balls.
Add the water 1 teaspoon at a time, just enough to bring the dough together with a firm consistency.
Heat oil in a heavy bottomed frying pot over medium-low heat until hot.
Break off pieces and form the dough into slightly flattened biscuits, about 2 inches across. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough well, for about five minutes.
Fry the Johnny Cakes, uncrowded, in the hot oil only until they become golden - (For about 2-3 minutes)
Remove the Johnny Cakes and drain on paper towels to absorb the extra vegetable oil. Will serve 6 people.
Chef’s Note: Johnny Cakes are usually served for breakfast with Bully Beef or Ackees
Caribbean Island Cuisine
Jamaican Chicken Curry
Ingredients
1/2 chicken (cleaned, with skin removed)
4 stems of fresh thyme
1 onion
5 tablespoons curry
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoon all purpose seasoning
3 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
3 white potatoes (peeled, cut in cubes)
1 lemon
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoon butter
2 cup water
1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper
Method
Wash chicken with lemon and cut into bite size pieces. Season with all dry ingredients.
Chop all herbs and add to chicken (use hands to rub in seasonings, and let sit in refrigerator for 1/2 hr.
Place chicken, water and oil in a pot, stir, and cook on high till it comes to a boil, stir, lower heat until chicken is almost cooked.
Add potatoes and butter. Cook until water is reduced and potatoes are tender.
Serve over steamed white rice Serves 4 people.
Caribbean Island Cuisine
