Okay, so the other day I was really craving some Jamaican jerk chicken. I’d made it before, but I always felt like something was missing. It wasn’t the chicken itself – that always turned out great – it was the sides. What the heck do you even eat with jerk chicken?
So, I started digging around. I mean, I went down a serious rabbit hole of food blogs and Jamaican recipe sites.
My Experiment Begins
I decided to try a few different things, keeping it pretty classic to start. Here’s what I whipped up:
- Rice and Peas: This seemed like the most obvious choice. I used coconut milk in the rice, which I always do anyway, because it just makes it so much richer. The “peas” are actually kidney beans, which I learned is the traditional way.
- Fried Plantains: I’d had these with jerk chicken at a restaurant once, and they were amazing. Sweet and savory, perfect with the spicy chicken. I just sliced them up and fried them in some oil until they were golden brown and a little crispy.
- Mango Salsa: Something fresh and fruity sounded good to cut through the heat of the jerk. I just diced up a mango, some red onion, a little jalapeño, and some cilantro. Squeeze of lime juice, done.
- Coleslaw: Okay, this one was a bit of a wildcard. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I wanted something with a bit of crunch. I made a simple slaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a creamy, slightly tangy dressing.
The Taste Test
So, I plated everything up – a nice piece of jerk chicken, a big scoop of rice and peas, some plantains, a dollop of mango salsa, and a little pile of coleslaw.
First bite: chicken with rice and peas. Classic, perfect. The coconut milk in the rice is a MUST. It just adds this layer of richness that balances the spice of the jerk.
Next, the plantains. Oh yeah, these were a winner. Sweet, soft, a little crispy on the edges… they’re like the perfect counterpoint to the chicken.
The mango salsa? Also amazing. That fresh, fruity sweetness just explodes in your mouth and cools everything down. Definitely a keeper.
The coleslaw… surprisingly good! I wasn’t sure about it, but the crunch and the creamy dressing actually worked really well. It added another layer of texture and flavor that I wasn’t expecting.
The Verdict
Honestly, it was all pretty fantastic. I think my favorite combo was the chicken with the rice and peas and the mango salsa. Those three together are just a flavor explosion. But the plantains were a very close second. Even the coleslaw, which I was unsure about, ended up being a great addition.
So, mission accomplished! I finally figured out what to eat with Jamaican jerk chicken. And it turns out, there are a lot of great options! Now I want to try even more things… maybe some roasted sweet potatoes next time, or some callaloo. The possibilities are endless!
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