The Hirshon Belizean Jerk Chicken

Citizens, you are probably familiar with the spicy awesomeness that is Jamaican jerk chicken – but did you know there are different versions found throughout the Caribbean? To highlight the diversity of this magnificent dish, I have chosen to share the Belizean version from the beautiful Central American country of Belize!

Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America. It is the only country in Central America whose official language is English, though Belizean Creole (Kriol) and Spanish are also commonly spoken. Belize is bordered on the north by Mexico, on the south and west by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide.

Belize’s abundance of terrestrial and marine species and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and languages that reflect its rich history.

Belize is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both the Latin American and Caribbean regions. It is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Central American Integration System (SICA), the only country to hold full membership in all three regional organisations. Belize is a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state.

Belize is best known for its September Celebrations, its extensive coral reefs and amazing diving areas and punta music.

The Maya civilization spread across what is now Belize around 1500 BC, and flourished there until about 900 AD. The recorded history of the middle and southern Belizean regions is dominated by Caracol, an urban political centre that may have supported over 140,000 people. North of the Maya Mountains, the most important political centre was Lamanai. In the late Classic Era of Maya civilization tion (600–1000 AD), as many as 1 million people may have lived in the area that is now Belize.

Spanish conquistadors explored the land and declared it a Spanish colony but chose not to settle because of its lack of resources like gold and the strong defence of the Yucatán by the Mayans. English and Scottish settlers and pirates known as the Baymen entered the area in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively and established a logwood trade colony, slave economy and port in what became the Belize District.

In 1836, after the emancipation of Central America from Spanish rule, the British claimed the right to administer the region. In 1862, Great Britain formally declared it a British Crown Colony, subordinate to Jamaica, and named it British Honduras. Belize was granted independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981.

Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of all ethnicities in the nation, and their respectively wide variety of foods. It might best be described as both similar to Mexican/Central American cuisine and Jamaican/Anglo-Caribbean cuisine.

Asian ingredients such as soy sauce have also found their way into the cuisine. In 2010, the Republic of China on Taiwan Mission along with the Government of Belize launched a Soy Sauce Project in Orange Walk Town. A few months after, the project was extended to the Corozal District with the aim of improving income to families. Each district had the participation of ten women’s groups who learned step by step the creation of Belizean Soy Sauce.

Citizens, this Belizean recipe includes fruits, herbs and citrus as well as a good dose of heat and umami! I’ve also upped the flavor ante by using allspice and fruitwood chips soaked in fresh orange juice to flavor the smoke as the chicken cooks to perfection! Bring out a cold beer, fire up a grill on a hot Summer day and try this chicken for the ages for yourselves!

Battle on – The Generalissimo

The Hirshon Belizean Jerk Chicken

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 whole chickens
• ***
• For the Jerk seasoning:
• 4 green bell peppers
• 8 scallions
• 2 tomatoes (not too ripe)
• 10 cloves garlic
• 2 small habanero peppers or to taste
• 1/8 cup guava puree
• 1/8 cup fresh orange juice
• Zest from one large organic navel orange
• 3 oz lime juice
• 3 oz dark rum
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 inch piece of peeled ginger
• 2 sprigs fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika powder
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin seeds, lightly toasted in a dry skillet and freshly-ground
• 1/2 tablespoon black peppercorns, lightly toasted in a dry skillet and freshly-ground
• 20 coriander seeds, lightly toasted in a dry skillet and freshly-ground
• 2 teaspoons allspice berries, lightly toasted in a dry skillet and freshly-ground
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• Sufficient olive oil to liquefy in a blender or food processor

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Instructions

1. Cut the chickens into pieces (breast, wings, drumsticks and thighs) and remove all skin, then rinse the chicken in some water to remove all bone fragments and blood.
2. Cut the onions, pepper, garlic and ginger roughly before putting in the food processor.
3. Then add the dry herbs and spices, the lime and orange juices and the rum. Blend the mixture on full speed and add as much olive oil as needed to give it a smooth texture.
4. Rub the chicken pieces with the jerk seasoning and marinate for several hours (overnight is best).
5. Place the chicken on a baking tray and roast over a smoky barbeque (add fruitwood chips and lots of allspice berries (all soaked in orange juice for an hour) to the bbq offset to the coals) for up to 45 minutes on low heat.
6. Drizzle or brush the chicken with the marinade regularly as it cooks.
7. Serve immediately when cooked. Apart from chicken, this Jerk marinade can also be used very successfully with pork, lamb and even fish.

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