Caribbean Jerk Chicken: A Symphony of Spice and Smoke
Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica, in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. It is a bold, fiery, and deeply aromatic style that represents the spirit of the Caribbean. The Heat: Scotch Bonnet Chilies The defining ingredient of jerk is the Scotch Bonnet chili. It is incredibly hot but also has a fruity, apricot-like flavor that is essential to the dish. The chilies are blended with pimento (allspice), thyme, garlic, ginger, and scallions. Allspice is particularly important; in...