Why Is Jerk Chicken So Famous In Jamaican Cuisine?

If you have had Jamaican food, you will vouch for the fact that it is one of the best types of food one could prefer. Especially if you love spicy food, the Jamaican cuisine will not disappoint you. It has gathered influences from various ethnicities, and no wonder it is one of its kind appetizing and delicious food!

There are several dishes and recipes in the Jamaican cuisine, but the Jerk chicken in Maryland steals the show. It is one of the most loved and popular dishes for not only the local people but also the tourists. It won’t be wrong to say that jerk chicken has become synonymous with Jamaica. If you ask people who never had Jamaican food, about one Jamaican dish that they could name or would want to taste, they would undoubtedly say jerk chicken. Every restaurant near me serves jerk chicken, and the taste is mouth-watering.

However, the question is, ‘What is jerk chicken?’ The name has been derived because of the special cooking technique known as ‘Jerk.’ This style of cooking is native to Jamaica and is a national staple. However, you can find it in other parts of the globe as well. It is all about marinating the chicken in the right flavors and cooking in a specific way. Jerk style of cooking is not just confined to chicken, and the marinade can be applied to pork, beef, goat, and vegetables. But most commonly, jerk is synonymous with chicken.

The chicken is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a hot mixture of spices known as jerk spice, and it is placed over an open grill. It is the ingredients in the marinade that makes the jerk chicken spicy. The jerk spice is a type of habanero pepper known as the scotch bonnet. For enhancing the flavors, other items are also added, such as pimento, thyme, etc. These spices increase the flavor and make sure that the meat is well marinated. The marinated chicken is allowed to rest for 12 -24 hours; in most cases, overnight before cooking.

The jerk cooking is done in an open pan, and the chicken is grilled slowly for hours. When you grill the meat for a long time on a slow flame, the spices leave their flavor, and you get an amazing taste. Even a single bite will cause an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

As Jamaicans began to migrate to other parts of the world, jerk chicken started becoming popular. Also, when visitors began tasting Jamaican cuisine, the jerk chicken grabbed most eyeballs. That’s how it became quite popular. It is to be noted that when you visit Maryland, you must try jerk chicken at small street-side local shops. They sell the best jerk chicken, and you can get a taste of the authentic flavors. Small restaurants and street vendors have aced the art of cooking jerk chicken, and you will certainly come for more.

Next time if you visit Maryland, don’t forget to have Jerk chicken.

Advertisement

Why must you try the famous Jerk Chicken in Maryland?

Jamaican cuisine is one of the most loved cuisines across the globe. It is popular owing to its unique flavors and variety of dishes. The most famous Jamaican dish is jerk chicken. What makes Jamaican food popular is the spiciness of its lip-smacking recipes. The food is prepared using specially curated herbs and spices, which is the secret ingredient of their finger-licking food.


Talking about the most famous jerk chicken in Maryland, we can’t forget to mention about its heavenly taste. It has derived its name from the ‘jerk’ style of cooking. It is the type of cooking where chicken is first marinated overnight in selected spices and herbs and then grilled on a slow flame. The slow flame may take hours for chicken to get ready, but it infuses amazing taste to the meat and also retains the health quotient.


Jamaican food is cooked in a healthy way, and hence, it is one of the healthiest food options. Apart from the jerk chicken, Jamaican food has several other delicious items. If you happen to visit Maryland, do explore the menu at Jerk N Jive. They offer some of the most scrumptious dishes that you might not have heard of before.You can grab the following Jamaican dishes at Maryland:


Ackee and Saltfish

This is the national dish of Jamaica and is mostly served as a breakfast item. However, you can have it at any time of the day. Ackee is actually a fruit that grows in pods on trees. Saltfish adds flavor to ackee.


Jamaican rice and peas

The rice and peas have a unique flavor and a staple for local people on weekends. It is generally taken as a side dish along with stewed meals. You can also have it with ackee and saltfish. For preparing the dish, kidney beans are cooked with rice in coconut milk, salt, butter, sugar, and thyme.


Curry goat

Curry goat is yet another favorite of people in Maryland. It is a little different from the traditional variety, and it is also spicier. It is a juicy and tender dish which is served with white rice and is also a favorite at house gatherings. It is also a favorite meal during Christmas.


Patties

The Jamaican patties are something that you must try. They are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties. The meat has a crispy exterior made from buttery dough. Both chicken and veggies patties are popular among people.


Escovitch


It is a variety of fish that is cooked in an acidic vinegar-based sauce. The dish is served in most of the restaurants that serve authentic Jamaican dishes in Maryland.


If you want to taste authentic Jamaican food, it is recommended that you must visit the street side and local restaurants than other options. These restaurants are well-known for offering a variety of delectable food.

Next time if you look for chicken near me, visit Jerk N Jive restaurant for a fresh and lip-smacking meal.

Address: 911 N East St B, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

Why Jamaican food is a popular cuisine among people?

All the food enthusiasts love to gorge on various cuisines to treat their taste buds. If you are also a food lover, then you can’t let go without trying Jamaican food! The Jamaican cuisine is not just delicious but also healthy owing to the spices and herbs used in it. Also, the cooking techniques used are robust. Even people who are following a specific diet can gorge on Jamaican food.

If you are looking for a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland, Jerk N Jive is the one-stop-shop for trying your hands on good old Jamaican food. They serve authentic flavors that melt in your mouth. Jamaican cuisine consists of a great mixture of flavors and spices.

Not many people would believe, but Jamaican food is healthy for you. Jamaican cuisine has many nutritional benefits, and several types of research have backed the claim. Whether it is jerk chicken, curry vegetables, or rice and peas, they are all free of unnecessary calories and fats. The food allows you to stick to your resolution of eating healthy.

The Jamaican meal is all about lean meat, beans, and vegetables. The jerk style of cooking smokes and grills the marinated chicken is healthy and low-calorie food with the right blend of flavors. Apart from the non-vegetarian options, vegetarian dishes are equally delicious. These dishes are packed with fiber and protein and low in calories.

Let’s have a look at some of the most popular Jamaican dishes that should be tried at least once in life:

Jerk chicken

The jerk chicken is one of the most popular and traditional foods from Jamaica. It is one of the must-try dishes for food enthusiasts. The recipe has derived its name from the jerk spices, which are a combination of cloves, thyme, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and nutmeg. If you wish to try authentic Jamaican delicacies, the local Jamaican restaurants in Maryland are the best places. For one of the best chicken near me, try Jerk N Jive.

Curry Goat

Another famous cuisine from Jamaica is curry goat. You can enjoy curry goat, mutton, and chicken in many local restaurants. The curry meat tastes equally delicious as grilled meat.

Ackee and Saltfish

The ackee and saltfish are considered as the national food of Jamaica. If you have already tried the jerk chicken, the ackee and saltfish should be given a try. The ackee is a type of Jamaican fruit which came to Jamaica from Ghana. The ackee and saltfish are cooked in a pot along with onions, tomatoes, and spices. You can have them for lunch, dinner, and breakfast
.
Callaloo

It is quite similar to spinach, as it is a leafy and dark green plant that is commonly eaten during breakfast in Jamaica. It is also preferred as a side dish by many people.

Escovitch fish

It is a dish consisting of fish along with fried vegetables.
Apart from the dishes mentioned above, the patties are also a must- try. Just step into a local restaurant and you will find all the original flavors of Jamaican cuisine.

Tips to Find the Best Restaurant near Me for Catering

People in today’s digital age consult online testimonials and reviews when they have to select a restaurant to visit. And it saves a lot of expense and time, especially if a diner has a reputation of offering negative experiences.

A place can have stellar ambiance and incredibly hospitable staff. However, that doesn’t discount the quality and taste of the food. Nothing can surpass the satisfaction offered by good food. Because of this reason, it is essential to consider the kind of caterer one wants to hire for an important event.

If there are small mishaps, they can be ignored if the good is palatable. However, if the food is not great, it can completely ruin the experience for the guests. Therefore, it is always best to go to the best restaurant near me for catering services.

In order to find a quality one, certain things need to be kept in mind. Before beginning the process, it is essential to plan the event budget. The amount of food and beverage will depend on the number of people coming to the event. And it, in turn, will impact the budget immensely. Therefore, it is crucial to map it out before asking a restaurant near me to cater.

Once you have the details, the next step would be to gather information about the various caterers. Checking their menu and calling them up would be the initial phase. Having conversations about the price and deposit is also recommended in the initial phase.

Specific Expectations and Needs

There are many kinds of foods that can be served in an event. If you want to do something unique and extraordinary, you can try going for the best Jamaican food in Maryland. Go for the food that is best suited to the people. It can be challenging but is part of the job. Setting the expectations right is also crucial when discussing with the people. People should also take the time to learn more about caterers in order to decide which one is the best fit among the lot.

Experience

It is not just about finding the best Jamaican food in Maryland. There are a lot of things that will make sure that the food department is all covered. And understanding all of that and handling it effortlessly is a task. In order to do it flawlessly, a company will require experience. The experience will ensure that the caterers commit lesser mistakes that could ruin the event.

References

Another factor that needs to be taken into account is references. A caterer must be able to produce references that show that they have done an excellent job in the past. Ask for appropriate recommendations to narrow down the list of choices further.

Lastly, one can taste the food by asking for a demo in order to make a final decision. Once the shortlisting is done, a contract is all that is required. Keeping these factors in mind will help one make an informed decision, which will be highly advantageous for the next event.

What Is Best Of Jamaican Cuisine?

Jamaica is a tiny island in the Caribbean famous for many things ranging from Bob Marley and Reggae music to its amazing beaches and cuisine.

The spices, flavors, and cooking techniques of Jamaican cuisine make it the most popular of Caribbean fares and famous all over the world. The colonial background of the island has developed a melting pot of dishes, impacted by regions around the world.

The following are some of the top dishes to try while in Jamaica or even in a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland:

Ackee and Salt Fish

The fruit called ackee was imported to the island by African slaves from Ghana. Saltfish (cod) and ackee is the national dish of Jamaica, served on weekends or holidays. Ackee resembles scrambled eggs and is served with salted fish, fried breadfruit, and dumplings. But raw ackee can be poisonous.

Jerk Chicken

Jerk style cooking is a star among Jamaican dishes. It can be found in local food carts to fancy restaurants. Typically, the meat is marinated or rubbed with a hot spice mixture termed as Jamaican spice. Jamaican maroons invented this hot pot of pimento leaves, spices, and herbs, and it has become the most popular dish of Jamaica. The meat is delicious by itself but can also be accompanied by the festival (dumplings) and bread.

Stews and Soups

It is yet another way of cooking on the island. After marinating the meat with many fresh seasonings such as thyme, hot peppers, scallions, and onions, the food item will be stewed down, rendering the meat highly tender. Some of the common stewed items include fish, beef, oxtails, pork, and chicken. The vegetarian peas stew is also popular and can be made with coconut milk and kidney beans.

Fried Breadfruit

It is the popular starchy additions to Jamaican breakfasts. As per historians, breadfruit was brought to Jamaica from Tahiti in the 16th century.

Rum Punch

It is much loved among rum enthusiasts as well as Jamaicans. It is an alcoholic drink made of Jamaican strawberry syrup. It is ever-present in any Jamaican party or celebration.

Curry Goat

Another favorite of the island, it is spicier than the Indian version. Goat meat tastes like beef but is more game-like. It is a juicy and tender dish served with white rice.

Beef Patty

It is another not to miss staple of the island. Beef is seasoned with garlic, onion as well as Bonnet pepper. This beef is then wrapped inside the buttery dough, shaped like a half-moon, and baked. The original version of the patty is that made of beef, but nowadays, many other fillings are used.

Escovitch Fish

In Spanish tradition, Escovitch implies cooking meat, along with a sauce made of acidic vinegar. It has been indigenized in Jamaica. Today, the sauce is made of pimento, carrots, peppers, onion, and vinegar. It contributes an amazing flavor when poured on top of fresh fish, like the latest catch of the day.

Callaloo

It is the local cousin of spinach and is a regular at Jamaican breakfasts. Sautéed and steamed lightly, it may be cooked with salted fish.

These are some of the top dishes from Jamaica. Get introduced to Jamaican cuisine like Jerk chicken when you are searching online for chicken Frederick, MD. You are sure to be bowled over.

Address: 911 N East St B, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
PH: +1 2404394518
Mail: jerknjive@gmail.com

Why is Jamaican Food A Must-Have for Food Enthusiasts?

Jamaican cuisine is quite popular across the globe. What makes the cuisine unique is that it has distinct cooking techniques, as well as spices, used for adding amazing flavors to the food. Not many people know that Jamaican cuisine has influence from various cuisines such as Indian, British, Chinese, Irish, Spanish, and African. The cuisine is spicy and mouth-watering. While some dishes have been derived from various cultures, others are a fusion of traditional Jamaican techniques and traditions.

best Jamaican food in Maryland

The ingredients are what make the cuisine different from others. You can also find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options in the cuisine, and vegetarian options are equally tempting. The cuisine has spread its wings, and you can grab a bite of the delicious meal in various parts of the globe. You can get some of the best Jamaican food in Maryland at authentic local restaurants. These restaurants are owned by local people who are familiar with the authentic taste of the cuisine, so you can expect to get the best taste from these places.

If you thought that Jamaican food is all about jerk chicken, you have mistaken. There is so much more to explore in the cuisine. As mentioned above, street food joints are the best places to have a taste of diverse food that the cuisine offers. Some of the delectable dishes that you must try at a restaurant in Frederick MD are as follows:

  • Jerk Chicken

It goes without saying that jerk chicken is one of the most popular dishes of this lip-smacking cuisine. You will find several restaurants selling authentic jerk chicken with amazing flavors. The succulent and juicy chicken with a mouthful of flavors is a must-have. The meat is first rubbed with jerk spices for offering distinct flavor. It is then cooked on a low flame so that the meat gets cooked well, and the spices get to work wonder.

  • Callaloo

It is a simple yet tasty side dish rich in minerals. It is prepared by steaming a leaf vegetable along with onion, garlic, thyme, and tomato. Callaloo can be considered as spinach or kale of Jamaica.

  • Jamaican Patty

If you love patty, the cuisine will not disappoint you. You can’t have the cuisine giving the patty a miss. You can find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fillings for the patties. The patties are juicy and have a crispy outer layer. Believe us, these patties can be one of the most delicious patties one can ever have.

  • Plantains

These are just like sweet potatoes. They are fried thoroughly and then covered in butter and salt and pepper. You can see them often in the menus of restaurants. You can have them as a sweet side to the savory, spicy dishes.

Rice and peas, Ackee and Saltfish, curry chicken, curry goat, coconut shrimp, jerk salmon, and much more can be found in the Jamaican cuisines.

The restaurants also deliver food to your home in fresh and warm conditions. You can grab a bite of the delectable meal at the comfort of your home, as well.

Address: 911 N East St B, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
Email: jerknjive@gmail.com
Phone No. : +1 2404394518

Must try Jamaican dishes in Caribbean Restaurant near me in Maryland

Jamaican food is one of the most loved cuisines across the globe. People who love to eat spicy food would definitely love the taste of Jamaican delicacies as they are full of flavors and spices authentic to Jamaica. You will find any restaurant near me that serves the best Jamaican food items.

The Jamaican food is not like any other spicy delicacies as the food has unique spices, which make the Jamaican cuisine stand apart from others.

The Jamaican food is very delicious and one of its kind because it has drawn influence from colonizers from Africa, Spain, France, England, and Germany. Also, another specialty of Jamaican food is that it has home-style recipes passed down by generations, which make every delicacy taste better than the best. There is nothing fancy about the recipes, yet the taste is incredible.

Who doesn’t know the jerk offering from Jamaica? It is one of the best methods of meat preparation. Let’s have a look at some of the best Jamaican dishes that you must try:

Jerk chicken


When talking about Jamaican food, the first thing that we need to talk about is jerk chicken. It is one of the most popular dishes in Jamaica that you can easily find in any Caribbean restaurant near me in Maryland. The jerk chicken is tender and succulent meat that is first marinated in choicest of spices and then grilled on a slow flame for hours. When you grab a bite of the chicken, the flavors simply explode in your mouth.

Rice and peas

Peas here don’t mean the green peas. Kidney beans are known as peas as far as Jamaican delicacy is concerned. They are made of white rice, coconut milk, garlic, and thyme. For adding some more flavors, the Jamaicans may also add some small pieces of green ginger.


Ackee and Salt Fish


Ackee is fruit, but it is not sweet. Ackee is a fruit the way avocado is considered a fruit. The Ackees are first cleaned and the salt fish is soaked for removing the excess of salt. Both of them are then cooked along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, hot peppers, and cooking oil.


Soups


You can find several options for soups in Maryland in the Jamaican cuisine. It is traditionally a Saturday meal in most of the Jamaican homes. The soups are basically one-pot meals that begin with peas and meat being cooked partially with garlic and pimento grains followed by adding pumpkin, cocoa, yam, potatoes, and carrots into it.


Patties


If you are a patty lover, the Jamaican version of patties will tempt you too. There is an option for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The patties are stuffed with meat as well as veggies so that you can have them as per your preferences. The outer layer of the Jamaican patty is flaky.


You can also try the goat curry and some other side dishes in a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland. Explore the local restaurants for the best flavors.

An Insight into Jamaican Food and Flavors

Jamaican cuisine is one of the loved cuisines across the globe. It is known for its spices, flavor, and ingredients which makes it stand apart. Jamaican cuisine is considered quite rich because it reflects the fusion of cultures, flavors, colors, and landscapes. In fact, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that food has become a part of the identity of Jamaica.

You will find a quality Jamaican restaurant in Maryland that serves traditional Jamaican food with authentic flavors. One of the richest parts of Jamaican heritage is its food. A lot of it has to do with the cultural diversity that it has witnessed. The Jamaican food has inherited influences from various ethnicities, and hence, it offers us amazing cuisine.

It is said that for getting a taste of the real Jamaican dishes, one needs to head to the local restaurants as compared to the fancy multi-cuisine restaurants as there is something about these eateries and the flavors they offer that you can’t find elsewhere. The ackee and saltfish can be considered as their national dish as it is loved by almost all.

Ackee looks almost like a scrambled egg when cooked, just that it has a different flavor. The salt fish can be considered as the oldest form of protein available for feeding the masses. It is boiled, flaked, and sautéed with onions, scallions, thyme, tomatoes along with hot and sweet peppers. In the end, ackee is mixed for creating a memorable dish.

Another specialty of Jamaican cuisine is the jerk technique of cooking. This method of slow cooking developed many years ago. In this method, highly seasoned meat is slowly smoked. It was a way of preserving the meat for long ocean voyages. Though the jerk process has become speedier as compared to past, it is still the slow grilling process of the seasoned and marinated meat. The marinate is made by mixing scallions, salt, onions, hot peppers, pimento, and various other local spices. Previously, only pork was jerked, but today the jerked chicken has become quite famous and most loved dishes by people.

Patty is also quite popular in Jamaican cuisines. Every region has its own version of the patty, and so does Jamaican cuisine. The patty is flakier, and the filling is quite seasoned, which enhances its taste and delights your taste buds. Apart from non-vegetarian, you can find patty in vegetarian options as well. Patties are usually had with cocoa bread. You will find some amazing restaurants for enjoying the Jamaican patty.

It is said that the Jamaican meal is incomplete without having rice and peas. The red kidney beans are boiled along with several local seasonings, and the rice and coconut milk are added to making the dish perfect for any meal. You can also find a variety of soups in Jamaican cuisine.
If you are looking for lip-smacking chicken near me, try a nearby Jamaican restaurant for jerk chicken. Jamaican food is a must-try as it is one of the finest global cuisines.

How to Pick the Best Jamaican Restaurant?

Jamaica is one of the tiny islands in the Caribbean that is known for many different things. Many of you may think about the beautiful Jamaican beaches and the pleasure of swimming in the turquoise water while others are reminded of the rich culture the country possesses. Because of all the beauty the country has to offer, the lands are always flooded with tourists and travellers.

Jamaica is also known for various genres of music, and for being home to the international music star, Bob Marley. But apart from that, the island is known for its mouth-watering dishes.

The Jamaican culture also brings along many tasty dishes that everybody needs to try out. Some of the popular dishes that you will in a Jamaican restaurant in Maryland are mentioned below –

• Stews – One common way of cooking meat would be stewing. The meat is marinated with many fresh seasonings such as sweet peppers, hot peppers, scallions, and onions to make them quite tender. Some of the meat served in this style includes fish, beef, oxtails, pork, and chicken.

• Jerk Chicken and Pork – The Jamaican culture features jerk-style cooking, which goes back to the 1600s when people used to cook wild boars after hunting them in the hills. Jerk pork and jerk chicken are quite common, so much so that you can find them in any reputed Jamaican restaurants near me. It is one of the dishes people prefer having in parties or clubs. It is one of the dishes that are famous for being available on a budget. They are often served with bread and a sweet johnnycake, which seems like a dumpling.

• Soups – Red Peas Soup is another popular dish that is available in the Jamaican kitchen. The soup is quite heart and rich as it contains salted beef, pumpkin soup base, coconut milk, and kidney beans. In most of the home-style restaurants, you are going to find Pumpkin Soup and Red Peas Soup in the starters.

• Curry Goat – If you are looking for a dish that you are going to absolutely love, it is going to be the curry goat. It is slightly different from the way traditional Indians make it, mainly because it is way spicier. The juicy and tender dish is usually served with white rice at house gatherings.

If your mouth is already watering after reading this, it is time you visit the best Jamaican restaurant near you. But before you do so, make sure you visit the best one. In order to help you avoid making a mistake, we are going to help you in spotting the best restaurants for Jamaican food.

Firstly, you need to do a thorough research online to pick out the restaurants that serve Jamaican food. When you find a few, you need to go through the reviews. They are going to talk about the ambience, quality of food, and hygiene. Lastly, if all the criteria are met adequately, you can go through the price to see if it fits your budget. If everything is a check, fix a date when you can relish on these flabbergasting dishes to your heart’s content.

Culture and cuisine: The Jamaican way of life


A place is defined by the culture it holds, and a very important part of the culture of a place is the kind of food the people of that area eat. Jamaican cuisine defines the cultural and historical heritage of the island. There are many interesting anecdotes behind many dishes. You can get good Caribbean food in Maryland too, but the island has the authentic stuff! We will discuss these stories around the dishes popularly eaten in Jamaican cuisine.

1. Ackee and Saltfish: The national dish of Jamaica is ackee and saltfish and is eaten for breakfast but interestingly, none of the ingredients of this dish has originated in Jamaica! Ackee was brought to the island mostly from Africa with the slaves that had come to work on the sugar islands. Codfish was a hugely popular game fish in the 1800s and was brought to the island as a source of cheap protein by the Europeans.


2. Jamaican Oxtail: Oxtail is literally an ox’s tail which is a gelatin-rich meat. The Jamaicans have adapted it as their own, but it is a widely eaten meat in few other countries as well, namely, Italy, Korea, China, United Kingdom, South America, Indonesia, Spain, and more. It is also kosher, so it is used by Russian Jews in their dishes too.


3. Jamaican Pattie: This is mainly a patty which is spicy meat and local veggies shaped into a circle and fried and then eaten with bread. The Spanish eventually lost to the English and then when the English came, they got the patty tradition with them. Now, it is a Jamaican food item and has many local vegetables and leafy greens in it.


4. The Jamaican Curry/Lamb Curry: Curry is primarily Indian in roots. When the English came, and the slavery system started to dwindle, the sugar fields on the Jamaican island needed cheap labor, and so, the Indians came in as India was also a British colony. They got the curry tradition with them, and also the mutton or lamb meat curry is quite an Indian addition to the food culture of Jamaica.


5. Jerk: This is meat, usually of chicken which is dried up and can be stored. The roots of this food item lie in Africa, and it must have arrived with the African slaves to the island.


Caribbean food is close to Jamaican in culture and tradition with slight local changes. One can get authentic Caribbean food in Maryland also. The list of available options and dishes in extensive! The best Jamaican food in Maryland can be had in authentic places around the area. Get the best Jamaican food in Maryland, but before that, know the story to enjoy it more! Know where the food has come from and what the journey has been for the item to become popular in a particular cuisine. With Jamaica, this is really a matter of pride that so many cultures have amalgamated into it and become Jamaica itself!