GOODNESS
Allspice: No, this isn't a mixture of everything in your spice rack, but rather a dried berry of the pimenta tree. If that's a surprise to you, imagine how Columbus felt -- he thought it was pepper (thus the name pimenta, which is Spanish for pepper). The berries look a little like plump peppercorns and the flavor is pungent, but it is not pepper. The best allspice comes from Jamaica.
For the freshest flavor, you should buy allspice in berry form and grind or crush it as needed. The taste is a pleasant mix of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Used in jerks and for pickling, it goes great with meat and gives a nice kick to soups and stews.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen, just like its cousin cassia. It has an ancient pedigree, even being used to embalm a few pharaohs. That may not sound appetizing, but it has been found to be good for the heart, the stomach and the joints. Not impressed yet? Well consider that it also seems to mimic insulin and therefore helps diabetics moderate their sugar levels. So don't be shy with this tasty and healthy spice.

Garlic: Garlic is in the same family as onions and leeks, and purportedly provided ancient Roman soldiers the courage to battle the barbarians. Whether or not it gives you courage, it is known to lower blood pressure, which is great for your heart and helps prevent stroke. In addition, it has a long history as a digestive aid, so don't be shy with this wonderful herb, no matter what it does to your breath!

Ginger: This spicy root is known as the universal remedy. Although it's well-known as a stomach soother, it also improves circulation, fights tumors, reduces inflammation and boosts the immune system. Oh, and it's good for pain and a fever. The only possible drawbacks are for people with gallstones or those on blood thinners.

Nutmeg: What would egg-nog be without nutmeg? But this sweetly aromatic spice is good for much more. As well as flavoring cakes and fruity desserts, it works wonderfully with strong vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower.
Nutmeg quickly loses it's flavor when ground, so get whole kernels and grind them just before using them. The taste is a sweet blend of woody pine and cloves.

Thyme: This aromatic herb has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and contains thymol, a well-known antiseptic (you might be gargling with it). It's good for the digestion and is supposed to have some aphrodisiac qualities, although that just may be be due to the well-known connection between love and good food.
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Recipe

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

serves
prep time: 10
cook time: 343

ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons dark rum
  • 2 tablespoons water
  •  ,
  • 1/2 cup malt vinegar
  • 10 green onions, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 2 Scotch bonnet chiles or habanero chiles with seeds, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  •  ,
  • 2 3- to 3 1/2 pounds chickens, halved lengthwise, rinsed, patted dry
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

directions

Boil rum and 2 tablespoons water in small saucepan for 3 minutes.

Transfer rum mixture to blender, add vinegar and next 12 ingredients and blend until almost smooth. Transfer 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning to small bowl, mix in ketchup and soy sauce to make sauce. (Jerk seasoning and sauce can be made 1 day ahead, cover separately and refrigerate.)

Arrange chicken in large roasting pan or baking dish. Pour lime juice over, turn to coat. Spoon jerk seasoning over chicken and rub in. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, turning occasionally. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees or prepare barbecue (medium heat). Remove chicken from jerk seasoning marinade, sprinkle with salt and pepper. If roasting chicken in oven, arrange chicken, skin side up, on rimmed baking sheet. Roast until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with fork, about 50 minutes. If grilling chicken, place chicken, skin side down, on grill rack, cover, and grill until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, about 50 minutes.

Cut each chicken half into pieces and serve with sauce.