Caribbean Spices - Add the Fab Taste
of the Islands to Your Home Cooking

Making your own Caribbean spices is a sure way of recreating the authentic taste of the Caribbean islands. This hot and spicy blend is super versatile and will season and flavour numerous dishes: Chicken, pork, beef, fish and various seafood for example or, combine it with olive oil and use it as a dressing for your vegetable dishes.

What You'll Need: (makes about 7-8 tablespoons)

3 tbsp hot chili powder
2 tbsp allspice berries
2 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp black peppercorns
4 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 whole nutmeg
1 tsp whole cloves
2 tsp salt

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

Grate 1 teaspoon worth of nutmeg

Grind the salt, sugar, allspice, peppercorns and cloves

Sieve into a bowl

Add the chili, cinnamon, onion and garlic powders and grated nutmeg. Combine thoroughly

Finally, crumble in the dried thyme. Combine again

Store in an airtight jar out of direct sunlight. Use within 3 months.

Note: To extract even more flavour from the ingredients, I recommend dry toasting the allspice berries, cloves and peppercorns for a few minutes before cooling, grinding and combining with the powders and herbs. Click here for tips, photos and an instructional video about how to toast and grind. (Link opens in new window)