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I have been to Jamaica many times before and have an affinity for the flavors of that island, particularly jerk, rice and peas, etc... Now I am coming to St. Thomas and I am staying at a villa where I am in charge of cooking for 8 people for a week. (yes, I volunteered to do this since I love to cook) However, I was wondering two things...
1) Is it possible to get spices such as pimento (allspice), nutmeg, thyme and scotch bonnets; also are Grace brand sauces sold there, e.g. Pickapeppa? I imagine these are staple spices of carribean cooking in general, but I wanted to make sure so I don't have bring my personal stash. As an aside, what is the best/cheapest grocery nearest to Magens Bay?
2) I wanted some suggestions for your own favorite island dishes. I bought the "Taste of the Carribean" cookbook and there is much to choose from--do you all have any favorites? I would like to come the closest to "real" St. Thomas and Carribean food. I doubt I can do it as good as you could, but why not try? The last thing I want is for people to start hitting KFC or McDonalds when in St. Thomas. Something just seems wrong about that.
Thanks all for your good advice...I look forward to seeing you all in late May!!!!
Posted : April 21, 2003 2:59 am
The Virgin Islands has a totally different style of cooking than Jamaica.
I know Scott Bonnets are the same as Habanero peppers, and those arent used all that frequently in USVI cooking that i have seen. The USVI is a cultural mixture in cooking. Lots of French, American, Asian, Mexican, and Italian influences on local food.
Fusion cooking. To get true Carribean Style cooking, talk to a local chef or look at menus. Some of those cook books are only one point of view. Personally, I think one of the attractions to the islands for tourists(and locals alike) is the fine restaurants to dine at. Obviously, you arent going to learn the cuisine by reading one cook book.
From what I have heard because I have never been to Jamaica, is that cuisine is much more intensely flavored spice wise than USVI cuisine(Jamaicans love hot SPICE). Rotis are a local favorite, here, but they arent hot. We use lots of tropical fruit(Mangos, key lime, catus fruit ,key limes,bananas, coconuts), fresh greens/herbs and local caught seafood, . We love to use tuna, mahi mahi, and carribean lobster. Have fun with your trip and go to the farmers markets and ask tons of questions. Just as all Asian cooking can't be lumped together, Carribean cooking can't be, either. (Cuban, Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and everthing in between) Locals go by what is fresh and what is available at each season of the year, this varies from island to island to some extent.
Posted : April 25, 2003 8:04 am
Thanks for all your suggestions! I am excited to learn how to prepare something new and different. I plan to go around on my first day exploring and checking out the markets. I would assume this would probably be a little cheaper than buying everything at the grocery too--definitely fresher, I would assume.
Yeah, being in Jamaica raised my tolerance for all things SPICY. I do plan on making my jerk chicken for the crowd--I'll even give out my now-not-so-secret recipe for the jerk (see below). But I very much look forward to expanding my horizons, especially with regard to fish.
Thank you for all the input! 1 month and counting!
T=tablespoon
Makes enough for 8-12 servings of chicken/pork
Combine all dry spices and mix well. Chop peppers, garlic, scallions finely. Combine veggies with wet ingredients in bowl or mixer and slowly add spices. Let stand overnight in refrigerator. Keeps for 2-3 weeks in fridge.
1/3 cup all spice (use slightly less if using fresher crushed pimento berries)
3T ginger
6 cloves garlic
3T dark brown sugar
2T cinnamon
5 Jalapeno peppers (or scotch bonnet) (vary to make hotter or mild--this is "medium/mild")
1T ground hot red pepper
2T black pepper
2T salt
2 cups olive or peanut oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
11/2 cup chopped green onion
1/3 cup lime juice
1T nutmeg
3 scallions
4 bay leaves
1T celery seed
(For the following, if using fresh, cut measurements in half)
1T oregano
1T thyme
1T rosemary
1T tarragon
Posted : April 28, 2003 6:41 pm
