Cheese Pairing Perfection With Spicy Jerk Chicken

Jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican dish that combines sweet, spicy, and smoky flavours. The chicken is coated in a dry rub or marinade made from spices, herbs, and Scotch bonnet peppers, then grilled to perfection. While jerk chicken is delicious on its own, it's even better when paired with sides that complement its unique flavour profile. So, what kind of cheese goes with jerk chicken?

Sweet potato fries

Mexican Sweet Potato Cheese Fries

This recipe combines sweet potato fries with taco meat, peppers, onions, gouda cheese, beans, and corn. It's a quick and easy option for a weeknight meal or a lazy afternoon snack. Start by cooking a bag of crinkle-cut sweet potato fries in the oven according to the package directions. While the fries are baking, cook the taco meat in a skillet with ground turkey or beef, onion, bell peppers, and taco seasoning. Once the fries and meat are ready, it's time to assemble! Layer the fries, meat, corn, beans, and gouda cheese slices on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted. Serve with toppings like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Super Cheesy Sweet Potato Fries

For this recipe, you'll need sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into chips, shallots, a red chilli, fresh coriander, grated cheese (aged cheddar is recommended), and coconut or macadamia oil. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line some baking trays with baking paper. Drizzle the sweet potato chips with oil, sprinkle with spices, and bake for 30 minutes. Take them out of the oven, stir, and bake for another 10 minutes. Then, sprinkle with cheese, shallots, and chillies, and bake for a final 10 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and a topping of fresh coriander.

Smothered Sweet Potato Fries

This recipe combines sweet potato fries with pepper jack cheese and crispy bacon bits. You can use store-bought sweet potato fries or make your own. If you're using bacon, cook it beforehand. Spread half of the fries on an oven-safe plate and sprinkle with salt. Grate half of the cheese over the fries and sprinkle with half of the bacon. Spread the remaining fries on top and add the rest of the cheese and bacon, with a little more salt. Bake for about 3-5 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

Fried plantains

Ingredients:

• Ripe plantains (yellow with some black spots or very ripe and nearly black)
• Oil for frying (vegetable, coconut, avocado, grapeseed, canola, or ghee)
• Salt to taste

Optional Ingredients:

• Lime juice
• Cajun seasoning
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon and sugar

Instructions:

• Peel the plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
• Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium to medium-high heat.
• Fry the plantain slices in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
• Drain the fried plantains on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings.
• Serve immediately as a side dish or snack.

Tips:

• Use a non-stick pan to prevent the plantains from sticking.
• For extra flavour, add a crushed garlic clove or minced garlic to the frying oil.
• Fried plantains are best served fresh, but they can be reheated in the oven or air fryer if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Rice and beans

Choosing the Right Rice

For this dish, it is best to use a long-grain rice such as basmati or jasmine rice. These types of rice have a firmer texture and separate easily, making them ideal for a dish like rice and beans. If you prefer, you can also use basic white rice or even brown rice, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Selecting the Best Beans

Kidney beans are a popular choice for this dish, adding a pop of colour and extra protein. However, feel free to experiment with different types of beans such as black beans or red beans. You can even use green peas if you're looking for a lighter option.

Flavourful Additions

To enhance the flavour of your rice and beans, consider cooking the rice in coconut milk instead of water. This will give the dish a subtle sweetness and a creamy texture. You can also add some Creole seasoning, chicken bouillon, paprika, and white pepper to boost the flavour profile. If you want to add a kick of spice, include a scotch bonnet pepper or two.

Cooking Tips

Start by rinsing your rice to remove any excess starch, which will help you achieve fluffier results. If you're using an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, you can sear the chicken first, then set it aside and use the same pan to sauté your onions, garlic, and spices before adding the rice and beans. This will give your dish a deeper flavour. If you're short on time, you can simply cook the rice and beans on the stovetop or even make it ahead of time and reheat it before serving.

Serving Suggestions

When serving your jerk chicken with rice and beans, consider adding some fresh herbs like chopped green onions as a garnish. You can also pair this dish with fried plantains and Caribbean coleslaw for a complete Caribbean-inspired meal. Don't forget to include some hot sauce on the side for those who like it extra spicy!

Coleslaw

There are many ways to prepare coleslaw, but a classic combination is crispy cabbage and carrots with a tangy mayo dressing. This simple dish is a foolproof way to round out your chicken dinner, and the medley of colours makes the dish all the more appetising.

For a healthier alternative, Greek yoghurt coleslaw is a great option if you don't want too much mayonnaise. It is a nice make-ahead dish, as it is best when it has been chilling in the fridge for a few hours.

For a Caribbean twist, you can make a mayo-free coleslaw with a fruity surprise and a spicy kick.

Grilled pineapple

To make grilled pineapple, start by slicing the pineapple into rings or planks. You can either use fresh or canned pineapple. Then, slather the pineapple slices with a glaze. A simple glaze can be made by mixing butter and brown sugar. You can also add a savoury note to the pineapple by sprinkling it with salt.

Heat a grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the pineapple slices on the grill and cook until grill marks appear and the fruit is lightly caramelised. This should take around 3-4 minutes on each side.

Next, assemble the sandwich by layering shredded cheese, Canadian bacon or prosciutto, and grilled pineapple on the bread. You can use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or gruyere cheese, or a combination of these. Finally, top it off with another slice of bread, buttered side facing up.

Heat a pan over medium heat and place the sandwich in the pan. Cover the pan and cook the sandwich for about 4 minutes on each side until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted. Serve the sandwich immediately, with a side of tomato sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions