Think, Eat, Be Healthy

Jerk Spice Recipe-Good For Meat Or Fish

Jerk spice

Jerk spice rub after grinding in a mortar and pestle.

About jerk spice

Making your own jerk spice will save money and allow you to get exactly the flavor combination you like best. Freshly ground jerk spice is also much more flavorful than seasonings in a jar or can at the store and fills the kitchen with its wonderful aroma. This method means the jerk can be tailored to each dish, as well: less heat and more cardamon for fish, spicier and more robust for steak or with more black pepper and turmeric for chicken. Jerk is a versatile spice blend that can be used on all meats and vegetables for grilling or roasting.

This recipe is for my basic jerk dry rub and makes plenty to do one large fish or medium chicken inside and out. I use ground turmeric powder for this rub, but fresh turmeric root can be used to make a paste-style jerk spice. A small spice grinder or food processor can be used for this recipe but a mortar and pestle does a superior job for grinding this type of spice blend.

Mortar and pestle

Mortar and pestle made of marble.

Ingredients for jerk spice recipe

1/2 teaspoon sea salt                                                                              5 whole black peppercorns

1/3 New Mexico dried red chile pod or 1-2 whole dried Thai chile peppers(Thai chiles will be much hotter)

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric powder                                                1 whole bay leaf

2 whole allspice                                                                                        1 whole clove

1/4 teaspoon whole mustard seed                                                        1/4 teaspoon whole cumin seed

1/4 teaspoon whole coriander seed                                                      1/8 teaspoon whole cardamon seed(no pod shell)

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

erk spice ingredients

Jerk spice ingredients in the mortar before grinding.

Preparing the recipe

1. Place all of the ingredients together into a mortar and pestle.

2. Slowly crush and grind the ingredients into a coarse powdered spice mix. Try to be especially thorough with the bay leaf and chiles as they tend to be tougher and it is important to get all of the flavors released and evenly distributed.

3. Use as a dry rub to season your favorite foods before cooking.

Notes on this recipe

Freshly ground jerk spice is a very healthy condiment recipe. The wide variety of whole seeds are packed with nutrients. The turmeric, black pepper and chile supply anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Jerk spice is a good addition to every healthy whole food diet.

To make a paste-style jerk spice, use fresh turmeric root instead of powder and add a little fresh ginger root, too. A little olive oil or avocado oil can also be added. This jerk paste works especially well for foods that tend to dry during cooking, such as skinless chicken breast or smaller fish filets.

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