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Read MoreJerk Seasoning
http://www.MelJoulwan.com/2014/11/01/jerk-seasoning/
Next week is a Big Work Week around our house. Dave has deadlines every week for school, but my schedule is usually really flexible, so I can keep us stocked up with good food, clean laundry, and tea breaks. I have a deadline next week, too! It’s “batten down the hatches” time — which translates into a big cookup on Monday so we’re prepared for the week.
The Jerk Seasoning from Well Fed 2 has become one of my favorite culinary band-aids. I sprinkle it on boneless, skinless chicken thighs and make oven-roasted awesomeness in under an hour.
Added bonus: You can rid yourself of residual aggression from deadlines by yelling, “Jerk!” at the chicken while you prepare it. Or maybe that’s just me.
Jerk Seasoning from Well Fed 2
Makes 1/4 cup | Prep 5 minutes | Whole30 compliant
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon allspice
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
1
Measure all of the spices into a medium bowl and mix with a fork until combined.
2
Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container and sprinkle it on meat and veggies when (1) someone has been a jerk to you and you’d like to put a voodoo curse on them; or (2) you want to add a spicy-sweet-hot kick to whatever’s on your plate.
Tasty Ideas
A
Jerky Chicken Thighs: Place a wire rack on top of a foil-covered baking sheet, generously sprinkle Jerk Seasoning on chicken thighs, place them on the wire rack with a little breathing room around them, and roast in a 425F oven for 20-30 minutes until they’re crispy and brown. They are so so so good fresh out of the oven, and then leftovers…
B
Jerky Chicken Salad: Make a delicious chicken salad with leftover chicken tossed with homemade mayo and your favorite mix-ins: diced apple, celery, scallions, chopped nuts, even cubes of cooked winter squash are tasty in there!
C
Jerky Rice and/or Plantains: Leftover jerk chicken is great diced and stir-fried with veggies and cauliflower rice—or sautéed with slices of ripe plantain and ghee. Add a little extra Jerk Seasoning for additional zing.
D
Jerky Eggs: Jerk Seasoning is delicious sprinkled on fried or hard-boiled eggs.
E
Jerky Balls: Mix 1 tablespoon into a pound of ground beef or pork for jerky meatballs. Bake at 425F for 20 minutes or pan-fry until brown all over.
F
Jerky Potatoes: Follow the recipes for Crispy, Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Classic Home Fries and add 1-2 teaspoons Jerky Seasoning.
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I throw some diced apple and onion under the chicken thighs and then they cook in the fat and juices from the chicken. It’s pretty good. Some times I use leek instead of onion.
Of course I put it in a roasting dish, not a baking sheet.
OMG- yum… You had me at apples and fat.
Who you calling’ jerk?! This looks awesome- would be fun for homemade holiday/Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers! I need those jerky balls now– can’t wait to try them
JERK! 😉
We posted a bulk version of the recipe last year for Christmas gifts!
http://meljoulwan.com/2013/12/10/paleo-gifts-kitchen/
Just new to the whole 30 idea and got your information from the book it starts with food. I do like a menu plan for the week, and cant seem to find any. Do you have any suggestions?
I do! I have three weeks of meal plans mapped out, plus a bunch of other helpful resources. You’ll find everything on this page:
http://meljoulwan.com/2014/07/29/whole30-resources-roundup/
Hi, Melissa:
I am looking for a sauce for pulled pork that is AIP and no onions or garlic – any suggestions?
Thanks!
What kind of sauce? Sweet? Hot? BBQ?
Jerky Balls.
*GIGGLING*
I’m a little late on the jerky train..
OMY the jerky chicken salad wrapped in butter lettuce is my new favorite lunch! I added some caramelized onions and lime juice for a bit of acid.
You’re the best!
Melissa
YAY! Glad you like it. XO
Great recipe! I’ve made a batch but find myself having to add extra cayenne. I wonder if substituting the cayenne with habanero or scotch bonnet powder would give me the sweaty feeling I so desire…
Day 10 of my second Whole30 here, and once again, you’re my saving grace to make it effortless and delicious. I think I’ll mix some of this with cole slaw mix and Homemade Olive Oil Mayo for Jerk Slaw tomorrow. (BTW, I work with teenagers, and they thought that I was some kind of kitchen witch-genius when I told them I make homemade mayo. HA!)
Cole slaw with Jerk Seasoning sounds really good! Happy Whole30-ing! Congratulations on 10+ days of awesomeness!
I’m going to put “Kitchen Witch-Genius” on my business card, because that is just too good.