Jamaican Ingredients That Are Super Healthy

Blame it on the pressure of getting great gym selfies or newfound motivation to stay healthy, a large chunk of our population is getting more aware of what they put in their mouths and its impact on the body. With Jamaican food, you get super healthy ingredients without compromising on taste and flavor. Talk about the best of both worlds! So, we are here to break down four staple Jamaican ingredients that are super-duper healthy for you. 

1.Chicken 

When it comes to lean meat that is packed with protein to feed your muscles, nothing beats the age-old chicken. Some of the most loved and authentic Jamaican dishes feature this beauty and brings out the best of the lean meat by packing it with flavor. Be it the Jamaican Jerk chicken, brown stew chicken or curry chicken, go for the milder white jerk chicken from Chicken restaurant Frederick MD. Brown stew broils the chicken slowly, which releases nutrients into the yummy gravy to soak while tenderizing the meat. Curried chicken, on the other hand, features a significant dose of turmeric whose potent anti-inflammatory, medicinal, and antioxidant properties are shaking the medical world today.

2.Scotch Bonnet 

This bright red, vivid yellow, orange or green pepper grows widely in the tropical lands of Jamaica and features in most of their dishes. The secret behind its fame happens to be its unique fruity taste with a subtle smoky flavor while packing a punch of spicy goodness all at the same time. It packed with vitamins A, K, and C, which makes it a great immunity booster. Capsaicin is an antioxidant that gives these peppers a vibrant color and a good dose of antioxidant benefits. The iron and copper content in the peppers aid in the manufacturing of new blood cells within the body. 

3.Oxtail

Jamaican cuisine is incomplete without the mention of the infamous dish of oxtail with butter beans. While you might put off this dish because of its rich fat and carbs content but has great wholesome goodness. Collagen, keratin, and elastin are components that make our skin and hair and impart elasticity and suppleness. Oxtail is abundant in these nutrients, which break down with the slow cooking process, making it even easier for the body to absorb. It is also rich in selenium, which aids in depleting the risk of degenerative diseases. 

4.Ackee Fruit

Ackee and saltfish is the national dish of Jamaica, a new ingredient which is dreaded by many. Ackee has garnered the reputation of the “deadliest fruit” die to its inedible shiny black seeds. However, the Jamaicans are an expert at preparing this fruit and turning it into a delicacy that will make you salivate. Ackee is also packed with fibers that aid in better digestion and feed the healthy gut bacteria. It also has several essential fatty acids like stearic, linoleic, and palmitic acids, which are known to improve heart health. Its rich calcium content supports bone health. 

So, if you are looking for a healthy and tasty meal, then you must try Jamaican restaurant near me for a pleasantly surprising experience.

   

3 Jamaican Breakfast Dishes Meant For Champions

Give your bland pancake, and maple syrup or oat bowls a skip and get yourself a breakfast that will set you in a good mood. Jamaican breakfasts are not only filling but also packed with enough flavor and spicy kick to energize you for the rest of the day’s battle. So, if you are wondering what to get for a yummy breakfast, then here is an amazing recommendation from the restaurants in Maryland. 

1.Jerk Chicken Sandwich

Among the most iconic dishes in the Jamaican culinary world, Jerk Chicken is at the top. Jerk chicken is Jamaica’s spicier and more exciting take on roasted chicken. The dish involves a very Jamaican technique of marinating the chicken, which consists of massaging the meat with the flavor-packed jerk chicken spice rub, which features a balanced mix of aromatic, exotic spices like scotch bonnet and allspice. The spice covered chicken is then grilled or smocked long enough to turn the exterior a dark rich shade of brown while the inside of the chicken remains cooked to perfection, dripping with flavor and juiciness. The chicken is shredded and assembled into a delectable sandwich that you can relish on the go for a fantastic breakfast. 

2.Ackee and Saltfish

The national dish of Jamaica happens to be well tasty breakfast dish. Ackee is a fruit that is most commonly seen as a deadly tropical fruit and is featured as the Top 10 Deadliest Food. However, what most people do not know is that the fruit is yummy and is safe if prepared in the right manner. Jamaicans are well versed in the art of preparing ackee into a mouth-watering dish. This breakfast dish is prepared by stir-frying boiled ackee along with a variety of vegetables like onions, Scotch Bonnet peppers, tomatoes, and spices, such as black pepper and pimiento which imparts flavor as well as texture into the dish. However, the star of the meal is the salt cod. The right balance of nutrient-dense veggies and protein-rich fish makes this dish an excellent choice for a healthy start to the day.          

3.Beef or Chicken Patty with Coco Bread 

The thing that makes coco bread different from the commercial burger buns is the addition of coconut milk into the mix. Thus, the resulting muffin is sweeter, softer, and packed with the subtle flavor of coconut. The sweetness of the muffin is beautifully balanced with the beef and chicken in Maryland patty, which has a kick of Jamaican spice. This is also a great balance of carbs and protein to keep you going through the day. 

So, now that you know how to start your day more excitingly, it is time to place your order for appetizing Jamaican breakfast.     

Caribbean Dishes You Cannot Miss Out!

The Caribbean cuisine is known for its unique smells, textures, colors, and flavors. With these four elements, the dishes will give you a heavenly culinary experience that is nothing less than plentiful and delicious. Thanks to the fusion of seasonings, herbs, and spices that are grown in the islands, which account for the filling and mouth-watering eats. 

If you want to try out any of these dishes, you need to look out for a Caribbean restaurant near me. Rather than randomly visiting a restaurant outside any clue about the dishes, why not take a sneak peek at what the cuisine has to offer us?

Let’s explore some of the outstanding options that the Caribbean Islands have to offer us as a culinary experience. 

Jerk Chicken 

It is a delicacy that makes use of a variety of fiery spices and peppers like pimentos, nutmeg, and Scotch bonnets. Jerk chicken is all about tender meat and heat of seasonings. The chicken is usually rubbed with the spices and then barbecued or roasted to give it a delicious texture and intense flavor. 

There can be several variations in preparing this dish, and each of them can be quite unique. When the dish is cooked to perfection, it can give you an out-of-the-world experience. If you are searching for jerk chicken in maryland, you will find excellent options in Maryland. 

Curry Goat 

The dish is known to have its roots in Asia, specifically India. However, it is a popular delicacy in Caribbean cuisine because of its succulent texture and big flavors when cooked in the right way. The goat meat is cooked slow with seasonings and spices and served hot with peas, rice, or potatoes. It is quite popular in Jamaica and is widely consumed because of its delicious flavor. When the meat falls off the bone and almost melts in the mouth, there could be nothing heavenly than that. 

Callaloo

It is a unique green vegetable that is fresh, versatile, and wholesome. Callaloo is quite similar to spinach and can be had with many dishes. The dish has its roots in Africa but is a popular Caribbean dish. It is known to adding flavor and texture to several foods like patties and soups. Callaloo is usually had with chicken. The vegetable has to be cleaned, rinsed, and boiled or steamed for a better taste. The dish is an epitome of nutrition. 

Ackee and Saltfish 

Ackee is a special yellow-colored fruit that has a soft texture and slightly sweet flavor when cooked. It is often had with codfish, which is salty is taste. Ackee and saltfish are one of the flavorsome preparations from Jamaica. With unique textures and intense flavors, created from carefully selected spices and seasonings, this dish if a perfect morning dish that is filling and wholesome. 

Patties

The Caribbean Kitchen also has to offer savory patties that have the potential to flake in the mouth. With fillings that can be beef or chicken, these patties are going to deliver flavors that are good enough to satisfy your taste buds. 

You will find them in many restaurants, but the ones that come from a Caribbean kitchen would have a unique flavor to it. The seasonings and ingredients will vary from one patty to another so that every piece would be nothing short of a surprise. 

Oxtail 

It is another specialty that you cannot miss from the Caribbean islands. It is a slow-cooked tail of a cow that is succulent and tender at the same time. You will find it in curries, stews, and soups. Oxtail can be made even more special when served with butter beans. 

If you haven’t tried any of these dishes, you need to visit a good restaurant nearby and order them right away!

Address: 911 N East St B, 

Frederick, MD 21701, 

USA

Guide to Jamaican Cuisine

When it comes to eating food, we are all pro at it. Appreciating good food is quite a skill. With so many culinary choices in the world, our taste buds can never get enough of good food. And when it comes to trying out the best, you cannot miss out Jamaican cuisine.

Jamaica is one of the few places that is known for its famous dishes; be it in chicken or vegetable. If you are searching the internet for a great ‘restaurant near me’, you need to try one that serves Jamaican dishes.

But what makes Jamaican food so delicious? It is difficult to point out a specific flavor or spice that goes into the cooking method, but the output offers a special taste that you absolutely cannot miss. The Jamaicans incorporate several ingredients that you may not find in other dishes. Let’s look at some of these ingredients in a bit more detail.

Fruits and Vegetables

If you are curious to find out the special veggies and fruits that are common in Jamaican dishes, we have listed them below.

Bread Fruit 

It appears like a green banana, which is cooked on the stove to leave the skin to burn and feel off. The pulp is thick and dry and has a consistency of a soft potato or bread. It can be then toasted, fried, or sliced to add into the main meal. It contains natural carbs. They are quite a specialty in Jamaica.

Ackee

It is the national fruit and quite popular because of the dish ‘Ackee and Saltfish’. The fruit is imported from the Western regions of Africa but distributed in Jamaica. It is a fruit but can be consumed as a vegetable. The seeds are actually poisonous and should be extracted carefully. The dish ‘Ackee and Saltfish’ are popularly had for breakfast, but can be slightly heavy.

Calaloo 

Another healthy vegetable that is found in the Jamaican cuisine would be calaloo. It looks like spinach but is tastier. People have it sautéed with main dishes, similar to any other vegetable. It can be a bit spicy, but you are going to love it.

Sorrel 

It is a popular Christmas fruit that is quite common in Jamaica. People make tea out of its dry leaves, while the fruit can be eaten just like any other fruit.

Popular Dishes

 
If you plan on visiting a Jamaican restaurant in your neighborhood, make sure that you try these three dishes.

Ackee and Saltfish

It is prepared with sautéed tomatoes and onion along with saltfish. It is a great breakfast dish. If you would like to make one without fish, you can prepare a vegetarian version.

Jerk Chicken 

The name ‘Jerk’ comes from the sauce as well as the explosive spices where the meat is marinated before grilling it. It seems nothing less than art. When you search for chicken near me, do not forget to give Jerk Chicken a try.

Curry Goat

  

Another specialty from the Jamaican which comes with a strong goat meat flavor. If you enjoy a rich flavor, you need to give it a try.
 

Don’t miss out the opportunity to taste the beautiful flavors of Jamaica. Order online and bring the flavors home.

Jamaican Dishes that You Need to Try

Nothing can be better than exploring new cuisines. It is one of the ways you get to know a country or culture. With globalization, you can easily get access to different cuisines living in one city.

The Jamaican cuisine has some outstanding flavors to offer; one cannot go without trying them out. If you haven’t tried them out yet, it is time you start looking for a Jamaican Restaurant in Maryland.

When you visit one of these restaurants, you absolutely cannot miss out on these traditional dishes. Have a look at their names below.

Jerk Chicken 

If you ask anybody about their favorite Jamaican dish, they will probably mention Jerk Chicken. It is a special kind of dish that has pieces of chicken that were marinated and rubbed in hot spices before they are smoked over pimento wood.

It is one of the few dishes that will offer you a mouth burning flavor that you won’t be able to resist. Try it out in an excellent Jamaican restaurant in Maryland.

Curry Goat

It is probably the second most popular dish from Jamaica. It contains exactly what its name suggests, goat and curry. The curry is known to offer a great kick, whereas the goat offers a delicate flavor. It might be similar to how the Indians cook it, but it has the traditional Jamaican element to it.

Try it out in any of the famous Jamaican restaurants in your city to relish the real taste of Curry Goat.

Ackee and Saltfish

You need to give this dish a try because you will not find it in any of the cuisines in the world. Ackee is a special kind of fruit, similar to avocado and tomato. The Jamaican locals love it and add it to the dish where it is cooked along with saltfish in a pot along with spices, chili, onions, and tomatoes. The dish is served at dinner as well as at breakfast.

Callaloo

It is a very traditional dish that includes leafy vegetables (usually Xanthosoma, Taro, and Amaranth). It is one of the healthy dishes that you need to try. The taste is also quite good, so you will end up enjoying it.

Jamaican Patties 

Another one of the specialties would be the Jamaican Patties. If you eat one, you will feel like having more. It is a special kind of meat pie that has a pastry outer and is stuffed with fish, vegetables, or meat. It is quite different from British pies because it has a different spice level and flavor. Do give it a try when you visit a Caribbean restaurant the next time.

There are many reasons you will fall in love with the cuisine. The food is nothing less than an adventure which is yummy and filling at the same time. If you have got a unique set of taste buds, you have nothing to worry. The Caribbean cuisine has something for everybody, even the vegetarians. If you want a flavorsome dish, you should give this cuisine a shot. 

Address: 911 N East St B, 

Frederick, MD 21701, 

USA

Why Must You Visit a Jamaican Restaurant in Maryland?

Jamaican food is one of the best foods ever that one can have. It is full of flavors and uses amazing cooking techniques, which make the food delectable. Just like any other cuisine, there are some specialties of Jamaican food that are a must-have. These specialties will be served by the best Jamaican restaurants in Maryland. 

Eating the traditional and authentic food of a country is an amazing experience as you get to relish in the local flavors. It’s good to explore various cuisines and delicacies. If you travel to Maryland, explore some Jamaican food joints to grab a bite of the below mentioned dishes.

Jerk Chicken

It goes without saying that your visit to Maryland is incomplete without tasting the jerk chicken in a local restaurant. It is one of the must-have dishes for non-vegetarians. If you ask someone about traditional Jamaican food, you are likely to hear jerk chicken from them. Right from roadside sellers to posh restaurants, you will find jerk chicken everywhere. The jerk chicken in Maryland is small pieces of chicken marinated well in a blend of hot spices followed by smoking them over the pimento wood. People who love to have spicy food will love jerk chicken.

Curry Goat

Next amazing delicacy to try is the curry goat, which is again a treat for the non-vegetarians. Just as it sounds, it is a goat in the curry version. Just like any other dish, the curry is spicy and delicious, and the goat pieces are cooked well and tender, which melt in the mouth.

Ackee and Saltfish

Ackee is a traditional Jamaican fruit, which has basically arrived in Jamaica from Ghana in the early 1700s. It can be found here in abundance, and local people love it. The Ackee and Saltfish are cooked in a pot along with tomatoes and onions. A lot of spices and chilly are added while cooking. It is one such dish that you will find the restaurants serving right from breakfast to dinner. 

Rice and Peas

Jamaica retains the traditional protein and rice approach in its meals. Rice and peas is one of the most popular side dishes served in Jamaican cuisines. The peas can be confusing as they are not actually peas. It is the Jamaican word for referring beans that are similar to kidney beans. The rice is cooked in coconut milk, which offers it a very tropical taste. 

Patties

Patties have their own versions in various countries, and so does Jamaica. The Jamaican patties are so delectable that you can’t eat just one. The pastry outer layer of the Jamaican patty is then filled with vegetarian and non-vegetarian fillings such as meat, fish, and veggies. There is a lot of flavor and spice in the Jamaican patties. You can try new flavors and choose the best one. 

You will also find a lot of soup options in a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland. When in Maryland, it is a must to treat your taste buds with Jamaican food. 

The Tradition of Meat Dishes in Jamaican Cuisine

Jamaican cuisine is all about the flavor of the sea. Any authentic Jamaican restaurant will be serving you an   experience, not just meat. Chicken makes a big part of the Jamaican cuisine, and the Caribbean people love  chicken in many ways. Also, they use mutton, fish, shrimp and lobster, and oxtail meat in their food. Let’s see what varieties of dishes Jamaicans love to cook and serve.

-Ackee and Starfish is the national dish as it stands for all things Jamaican! The dried and salted codfish is prepared with the local fruit of Jamaica, Ackee, and it is all served with fried dumplings, cassava bread called Bammy and roasted breadfruit. This is a hugely popular dish which has cod fish meat.

-Jerk chicken is an immensely popular jerk meat dish, which the Jamaicans take pride in! It has travelled far and wide, impressing everyone with its moisture and flavors. One can even get a good Jamaican Jerk Chicken in Maryland now. All the authentic flavors and cooking styles are preserved.

-Curry Chicken comes across as a more Indian style chicken curry, which can be enjoyed with an assortment of Jamaican bread. The chicken is stewed in tomato-onion based gravy and then cooked to tenderness.

-Oxtail is typically Jamaican meat which contains meat from tails of cattle (real), and this dish includes Oxtail with beans. The Jamaican cuisine is incomplete without this meat.

-Curry Goat is a mutton curry, again influenced by the Indian subcontinent style of cooking mutton. The curry is spicy and full of flavors, which can be enjoyed with a rather bland tasting bread assortment, mainly roti, which is again an Indian bread.  The influence of the Indian style of cooking came to Jamaica with all the Indians coming over in the British imperialism era to work in the sugarcane industry. They brought their cuisine with them, which amalgamated with the local styles.

-Jerk Salmon is a jerked fish dish, which is again a staple for Jamaican cuisine. It is a spicy, glazed salmon, which is moist and full of flavor!

-A few other seafood dishes like shrimp and other fish are also common in the Jamaican cuisine, as it is an island, and it is obvious it will have a variety of seafood staples dishes. 

The Jamaican cuisine is so varied because of the variety of people who have come to the island and made it their home. The slow overlap of each other’s cooking and eating styles gave rise to the modern-day cuisine where is it tough to find out which portion of the recipe came from where. But the one thing that binds everything together is the amazing use of locally grown food, and food, which is abundantly available with ease. This makes the culture richer and more relatable. You can get good Jamaican food around you as well. There is a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland, which sells authentic food with all the food culture as if straight from Jamaica!