Jerk Chicken

Jamaican jerk chicken has to be their most famous dish. Although saltfish and Ackee is considered to be the national dish, jerk chicken is known throughout the world. It is hot, spicy and delicious. There are a few requirements to make it properly. First you need to make the jerk base and marinate the chicken in that base overnight. Keep in mind that this base can also be used to flavor other things like the dressing for the hot pepper shrimp appetizer dish we enjoyed. It keeps for quite a while in the refrigerator. The other thing which is a bit harder to pull off, if you are not actually in Jamaica, is the use of Pimento wood. This is the distinct flavor of Jamaica. One can use allspice and water to make a regular wood smoke with the flavor of Pimento which is totally worth the effort. Just soak some regular wood chips in some allspice flavored water and use that wood chips when you grill the chicken. There are numerous recipes for Jerk, each family has their own cherished recipe. This recipe has all the elements found in a good jerk and you will love it!