Saturday, February 4, 2023

Jamaican Inspiration - Spicy Chicken Soup

 

Inspiration


  • I wanted to make chicken soup because it was feeling like winter today after a very mild winter
  • I wanted it to have a warm quality and wondered about putting allspice in it. I did some searching  in the Flavor Bible for pairing thyme, marjoram (herbs I usually put in chicken soup), and allspice. Marjoram wasn’t listen, neither was celery which I usually use. So I was down to carrot, onion, thyme, and allspice. I decided to also use black pepper, bay, and a habanero I’ve had in the fridge for a while. 
  • I was thinking dumplings, so I googled Jamaican dumplings soup, and found some recipes. I noticed a lot use pumpkin.


Spicy Chicken Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1yellow onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, cut into large pieces
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 6 allspice berries
  • 1-2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 habanero pepper, cut in half
  • 1 whole chicken
  • 3 Yukon potatoes
  • 1/2 a buttercup squash
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice  

        Method

    • In a large, heavy stock pot heat the oil over medium high heat.
    • Add the onion, carrot, thyme, allspice berries, black peppercorns, salt, and habanero and sauté until fragrant. 
    • Add the chicken and brown on all sides.
    • Add enough water to bring to cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
    • Reduce heat to bring to a simmer, partially cover with a lid and let simmer until chicken is tender and falling off the bones.
    • Remove the chicken to a plate to allow to cool
    • Strain the broth and set aside.
    • In the stockpot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat.
    • Add the garlic, thyme, and ground allspice and cook to fragrant 
    • Add the potatoes, squash, and broth and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce to a gentle boil and cook until vegetables are tender.
    • While vegetables are cooking, remove the meat from the bones and break into pieces.
    • When vegetables are tender, add the chicken, and heat through. 
    • Serve
 

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    An (admittedly sporadic) cooking diary.