| Although the national dish of Jamaica is saltfish (salted | | | | jerk spice". This is rubbed into the meat before |
| cod) and ackee (a type of fruit), perhaps the most | | | | cooking, and is what gives it the fiery taste that the |
| famous of the country's dishes are jerk dishes such as | | | | dish is famous for. Nowadays it is possible to buy jerk |
| jerk chicken. In Jamaica in fact, the traditional meats for | | | | spice in a jar in many larger supermarkets, but of |
| cooking dishes are pork or goat, but in country itself as | | | | course serious cooks often prefer to prepare their |
| well as overseas, many people now enjoy other jerk | | | | marinades themselves. |
| dishes such as jerk chicken or jerk fish. | | | | 2. The second secret for an authentic jerk dish is to |
| The word "jerk" originates from the Quechua native | | | | cook the meat over a charcoal barbecue grill. This |
| American language, in which the word "charqui" means | | | | really does add to the flavor, and if you can put some |
| dried meat. This is because jerk dishes were originally | | | | pimento wood on the coals, so much the better! In |
| prepared as smoked meat over a open fire (i.e. a type | | | | case pimento wood is not available, allspice, apple or |
| of what we today would call "jerky"). However, today | | | | hickory may offer acceptable substitutes. |
| jerk dishes are generally prepared on a grill or even a | | | | Jerk chicken is wonderful dish and will be appreciated |
| normal kitchen oven. | | | | by most people who love spicy food. If you are looking |
| There are two main secrets to preparing an authentic | | | | for a serving suggestion, why not try accompanying it |
| flavored jerk dish:- | | | | with baked sweet potatoes and Jamaican beer? |
| 1. The first is the jerk marinade, known as "Jamaican | | | | |