About the Jamaican Stewed Peas

Jamaicans refer to red kidney beans as red peas. In other countries a stew is usually a one pot meal and maybe that was the premise for the stewed peas. There are some places in Jamaica that make stewed peas with yam and cocoa but the general consensus is that stewed peas is a protein dish to be had with rice and vegetables.

In other words, stewed is a meat dish, cannot be had by itself or is not a full meal. Stewed peas is very popular and some households make it a ritual or tradition to make the dish once per week. Lots of Jamaicans love stewed peas and many will tell you that they can't live without it.

The dish is usually served with cooked white rice, what we also call plain rice. However, if you prefer your stewed peas with yam and dumplings, no problem.

Here are some tips on making the stewed peas for your specific taste

• Add salt beef if you like
• omit meat all together and add vege chunks for a vegetarian version
• omit meat or vege chunks and add carrots, corn and Irish potatoes for an Ital version (Rastafarian style)
• For the recipe I have posted, use 1/2 cup coconut cream for the coconut flavour.
• When putting the peas to boil for the first time before it starts boiling add 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
• Add minced garlic when seasoning the pot
• Use cornstarch to thicken instead of flour
• Use w/w flour for spinners
• Add your favourite seasoning for a more spicy flavour (make sure you don't over salt the stewed peas)
• For a sweeter flavour, add diced onions (not a popular option)

Please see left link list for recipe.Enjoy your Jamaican style stewed peas!

About The Jamaican Jerk Spice

Other than Bob Marley of Reggae music the Jamaican Jerk is probably what people most associate with Jamaica. The spice is strictly Jamaican with no foreign produce included. It’s pretty easy to make and very tasty.

There are two versions to the spice (1) the wet spice and (2) the dry spice. For both spices basically the same ingredients are used.

Jamaicans love their jerk spice so much that they will use the spice in almost all their meat dishes, no matter the method of cooking. The dry spice is very popular and every household loves the flavor. The weird thing about it is that most people have no clue that the spice is pretty easy to make and they can save a few dollars purchasing the ingredients and putting the spices together themselves.

What do Jamaicans Jerk?

We will jerk just about anything especially when it comes to the time of year for the Boston Jerk festival.

The following is a list of things that Jamaicans jerk in order of popularity.

1.       Chicken

2.       Pork

3.       Fish

4.       Jerk flavored fries

5.       Mutton

6.       Lobster

7.       Green plantains

8.       Breadfruit

…….and so many more things. The jerk festival will have so many jerked items that you would think of jerking at home.

What exactly is jerking?

Jerking is a form or method of roasting meat similar to a bar-b-que. But more closely related to the pit that a pig is roasted in. In the case of Jamaica, the pig is roasted over wood fire or coals that have been placed between stones or a hole id dug and the fire placed in the hole. Over the fire is placed sticks from the pimento tree stripped and soaked in water to keep from burning. On these sticks the meat is placed and sometimes covered with branches from the pimento tree and this gives the added flavor.

The wood fire gives and nice smoky flavor but the coals also do a great job.

The cooking method has evolved over the years and people have grilled their chicken on gas grills. Gas grill do not have the same effect or flavor and often gives the meat a burnt flavor.

If you would like to jerk your own meat and you don’t have a spit, use a coal grill and add wood chips.

For Jerk recipe see Jerk Chicken page

About Jamaicans and their preferences.

Jamaicans are a unique people with unique tastes. They won't eat certain animals and it's hard for them to try new stuff. Here are some facts about Jamaicans eating habits:

• Jamaicans eat eel but will not eat a snake
• Jamaicans will never eat alligator meat (unless they have lived off the island for a while)
• They do not eat snails 
• They do not eat frogs
• They do not eat their meat rear
• Only Jamaicans from a certain class or back ground will eat raw sushi.

We like our meats dark and a bit overcooked. Red meats should be stewed or roasted until well done and very tender. No rear or medium rear meats. Jamaicans love a lot of spice and flavourings on their meats to mask the meaty taste, you know how some people love a steak with just salt and pepper, you would never get a real Jamaican to eat that unless they have lived abroad for a while.

Here is a list of Jamaican herbs and spices that are used every day:

• onion
• scallion
• thyme
• scotch bonnet pepper
• pimento
• garlic
• French thyme
• Nutmeg
• Ginger root
• Chillies (bird pepper. They are the mini version of the chilli pepper and very hot)
• Bay Leaves
• Pepper elder
• Cinnamon
• Rosemary

In recent years other herbs have been added to the list but these were brought into the Island by other people not indigenous to the Island.

• Basil
• Leek
• Chives
• Coriander leaves
• Parsley
• Dill
• Coriander seeds
• Cumin
• Cloves

Welcome To Carolee's Kitchen

Hi, I am Carolee and I would like to share some of my recipes with you.

I grew up with restaurants all around me. There were four restaurants by my father's relatives and my mom owned her own. I have been preparing food for a very long time and also briefly owned my own little take away business in my community.

As a Jamaican, I would love to share some authentic Jamaican recipes with you along with dishes that I have prepared for clients, family and friends. I love Asian and Italian food so some of my recipes might be influenced by both cultures.

Along the way I will also be giving you cooking tips to help you along you culinary experiences. Feel free to ask any questions or comment on any recipe you like. Thank you for visiting Carolee's Kitchen.

Each recipe is posted on a separate page so kindly check the links on the left. Happy Cooking!