The Spice of Life: Allspice

This is a favorite Jamaican seasoning that also goes by the pimento. Allspice adds a zest to any meat dish – it is the secret ingredient in jerk (chicken, pork, etc.). It looks kind of like a black pepper seed in whole form, but the flavor is closer to cloves. I use this spice on EVERTHING. It’s what gives my food the, as hubby puts it “well seasoned”, flavor.

Since allspice is native to Jamaica it’s super cheap there so I always stock up when we visit – I actually stock up on all my spices there, they are ridiculously cheap there for some reason.

The Spice of Life

My favorite seasoning right now is garam masala. It is a blend of common Indian spices that add flavor to what ever it is that you’re cooking – I usually like to add it to meat, poultry or fish.

Last weekend I took whole chicken split down the back and seasoned it with garlic, onion, allspice, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Bake covered at 300˚F for 1½ hours then uncover and turn up the heat to 375˚F for the last 30mins – basting ever 10mins or so. Everyone loved it, including hubby who is sick of baked chicken lol.