!8: Jamaican Jerk Spice Recipe Best

!±8± Traditional Jamaican Recipes

Jamaica is a Carribean island nation. It lies in the Greater Antilles, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) to the south of Cuba, and about 120 miles to the west of the island of Hispaniola (which contains the countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti). The island has a population of approximately 2.6 million people, making it the most populous anglophone nation in the Carribean, and the third most populous in the Americas (after the United States and Canada).

In world terms of course, Jamaica's population is relatively small. The island has however made contributions to literature, culture, music and cuisine, quite out of proportion to its size. Most people are for example are aware of the rastafarian movement, reggae and ska movement, and many non-Jamaican nowadays enjoy Jamaican food.

There are many different Jamaican recipes. Some of the most popular Jamaican dishes include:

* Jerk dishes - These are meat dishes flavored with Jamaican jerk spice (which is actually a mix of several spices). The jerk spice is rubbed into the meat, and the meat is then cooked, preferably over a charcoal grill. This results in a fiery and tasty dish. In Jamaica itself, the jerk style of cooking is traditionally used for pork or goat meat, but it can also be used for other meats (jerk chicken is nowadays very popular), fish or even tofu.

* Saltfish and Ackee - This is a traditional Jamaican breakfast dish, and is sometimes consider the national dish. It is made used salted cod together with ackee, which is actually a type of fruit. If making this dish, you should be aware that ackee must be correctly prepared, as if it does not done, it can be poisonous.

* Rice and peas - This is rice prepared with coconut milk, and cooked together with legumes. Different types of peas or beans may be used, but kidney beans are a popular choice.