🍗 Brown Stew Chicken (Jamaican Style)

🍗 Brown Stew Chicken (Jamaican Style)

Ingredients:

For marinating the chicken:

• 2–3 lbs chicken (bone-in thighs or drumsticks preferred), cleaned and chopped
• 1 tbsp browning sauce (optional but traditional)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning (or chicken seasoning)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper (deseeded for less heat, optional)
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 stalks scallion, chopped
• ½ bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 tsp pimento seeds (allspice)

For cooking:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (for browning)
• 1 cup water or chicken broth
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• Additional onion, scallions, bell peppers for sauce

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Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken (Min. 2 hrs, preferably overnight):
   • Clean chicken with lime/vinegar and water. Drain.
   • Combine all marinade ingredients and mix well with chicken.
   • Cover and refrigerate.
2. Brown the Chicken:
   • Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan. Add brown sugar and let it melt until bubbly and dark (but not burnt).
   • Add chicken pieces (reserve marinade) and sear on all sides for 4–5 minutes until browned.
3. Add Sauce Ingredients:
   • Add tomato, more onions, scallions, bell peppers.
   • Pour in marinade and 1 cup water or broth. Stir.
4. Simmer:
   • Cover and reduce heat. Cook for 30–40 minutes, until chicken is tender and sauce is thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.

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🥗 Caribbean Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional for tang)
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt (to taste)
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ cup grated carrots
• ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ¼ cup finely diced onion
• ¼ cup sweet corn (optional)
• Splash of vinegar or lime juice (for brightness)

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Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta:
   • Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Mix Dressing:
   • In a large bowl, combine mayo, mustard, sour cream/yogurt, pepper, salt, sugar, and vinegar/lime juice.
3. Combine:
   • Add macaroni and all chopped vegetables to the dressing. Mix until well-coated.
4. Chill:
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.