jamaican food

Jerk Chicken-Stuffed Matzo Ball Soup

>

>
My  love for matzo ball (Knaidlach) soup should surprise no one at this point, since I have posted quite a few different post’s with this marvel of traditional comfort food at Chefsopinion.
As for  Jerk Chicken – WHO doesn’t love that ??!
Now, I have to confess that the chicken I used here was not a real jerk chicken, but rather diced chicken leg seasoned with jerk-seasoning and then sautéed. However, this “jerk chicken”served its purpose as a filling for the matzo balls perfectly, so I will not nit-pick about it 🙂
Both Bella and I were enamored with this soup and will no doubt have it again and again 🙂
>
Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>
>
Matzo Ball Recipe
>
More  Jerk Chicken  on ChefsOpinion
>
More  Matzo Balls  on ChefsOpinion
>
More Chicken Soup on ChefsOpinion
>
>

Jerk Chicken-Stuffed Matzo Ball Soup

Jerk Chicken-Stuffed Matzo Ball Soup

>

Jerked Chicken Stuffed Matzo Balls

Jerk Chicken-Stuffed Matzo Ball Soup

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>


>
>
>
>
>
>

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

>
>
While  there are a million and one jerk chicken recipes out there, the basic seasoning is usually brown sugar or molasses, all spice, garlic, cinnamon, scotch bonnets (as much as you can handle), ginger, thyme, nutmeg and salt. Most folks I know also add soy sauce and scallions (I do).
Then, if you have a wood burning grill, grill very slowly, covered until the chicken is charred on the outside and juicy on the inside. Since I don’t presently have a proper grill, I started my jerk chicken in a cast iron grill pan and after a light char developed, covered it and finished cooking it in the oven. The result was a very tasty, very juicy, close to perfection jerk chicken 🙂
>
Bon Appetit !   Life is good !
>
>

P.S.
As I was cooking this inside the house, I used all dry herbs and spices.
However, for a more authentic experience, if cooking outside on a wood grill, you want to use fresh spices and herbs, minced and mixed with the soy sauce to a paste and rubbed into the chicken and its cuts. Cooking this on a covered grill will develop the flavorful smoky taste associated with authentic jerk chicken.
>
>

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

>

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

>
>
>
Preparation :
To read instructions, hover over pictures
To enlarge pictures and read instructions, click on pictures
>
>
>


>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



Here  is another hearty recipe of wonderful comfort food.
Many folks are familiar with Jamaican dumplings and some have become addicted to them like I have.  Although in their most basic form they are made of  just flour, water and salt, as part of a soup or stew they can be mind-boggling great because of their unique texture. As for the taste, I usually add garlic paste and cayenne pepper to give them a bit of extra umph 🙂
The traditional shape of Jamaican dumplings is a thick disk shape with an indention in the center. Spinners are made of the same dough, but they are “spinned” between your hands to shape them into tapered tubes, which is the shape I prefer.
As for the protein in the bean soup, use whatever you like and/or have at hand. Chicken, pork, salt beef, fresh beef, even seafood or just root vegetables. Of course, smoked ham hocks are the price in today’s lunch’ version, which could not have been more tasty and delicious.


Bon Appetit !  Irie, Mon !

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



Preparation :

simmer ham hocks in generously seasoned water (kosher salt, garlic paste, scotch bonnet hot sauce) until tender but NOT falling apart

simmer ham hocks in generously seasoned water (kosher salt, garlic paste, scotch bonnet hot sauce) until tender but NOT falling apart

when ham hocks are tender, remove from stock, reserve

when ham hocks are tender, remove from stock, reserve

ham hocks

smoked ham hocks


remove bones from ham hocks, give one each to your dog and his/her friends :-)

remove bones from ham hocks, give one each to your dog and his/her friends 🙂

dice meat and skin into bite size cubes

dice meat and skin into bite size cubes


add canned, strained black beans, quartered onions,  a small amount of curry powder and turmeric and coconut milk to stock, simmer for another 45 minutes

add canned, strained black beans, quartered onions, a small amount of curry powder, turmeric and coconut milk to stock, simmer for another 45 minutes

blend in electric blender until smooth, check / adjust seasoning

blend in electric blender until smooth, check / adjust seasoning

make a dough of a/p flour, water and salt, knead until the dough looks like this

make a dough of a/p flour, water, garlic paste, hot sauce and salt, knead until the dough is smooth

roll individual pieces into small tubes like this, simmer in salt water until cooked through, 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the size you prefer

roll individual pieces into small tubes like this, simmer in salt water until cooked through, 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the size you prefer

almost...........

almost………..

add meat to soup to heat through

add meat to soup to heat through

plate soup in serving dish

plate soup in serving dish

top with spinners

top with spinners

sprinkle with scallions and/or herbs of your choice

sprinkle with scallions and/or herbs of your choice

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog,
please be so kind and click on the video below.  Thank you 🙂