Jamaican Goat Curry

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Goat is a popular island meat for jerking. Its stronger flavor works well with the rich seasonings of the jerk rub. Read more about Jamaica’s Jerk cuisine in the article “Cookin’ Jerk on de Barbacoa, Mon!” By Rick Browne


Ingredients

3 lbs. goat meat, cut into 1”-1 1/2” inch pieces

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 cups water

Goat Curry

Jerk rub:

1 small Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced

4 oz. curry powder

1 oz. freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons sea salt

4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tablespoon dried)

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cup coconut milk

1 large onion, roughly chopped

2 cups thickly sliced carrots

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 oz. vegetable oil

1 lb. peeled, cubed white potatoes

Instructions

Wash goat meat in vinegar-water. Pat dry and rub with the jerk rub, put in sealable plastic bag and let sit for 4-5 hours in refrigerator.

Remove the meat from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature (about 20 minutes).

In a cast iron or heavy saucepan, or wok, on bbq grill or side burner over high heat, heat the oil until it just begins to smoke.

Place the spiced meat in the saucepan, turning frequently to brown all sides.

Add the water and coconut milk to the pot, then add the onions, carrots, and garlic, turn down the heat and simmer for 35-40 minutes, making sure meat is always at least half-covered with liquid, adding small amounts of water as necessary.

Add cubed potatoes and cook covered for additional 20 minutes on very low simmer.

Sprinkle on chopped green onions and serve.

Chimichurri Sauce

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This light, olive oil-based sauce is all you’ll need to adorn that perfectly seared chunk of asado.

Ingredients

6 cloves garlic
1 white onion, finely chopped
2 bunches Italian parsley, stems trimmed
Juice from 2 large lemons
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a food processor, process the garlic and onion until well mixed. With the motor running, add the parsley, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and cayenne. Add the olive oil, pouring in a slow, steady stream. Continue to process the mixture until it is smooth and quite thick, about 5 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sauce into a bowl, add the salt and pepper, cover, and set aside.

Beef Empanadas

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Empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. In Spain, empanadas are usually large and circular in size and are cut into smaller portions for consumption, whereas in South America empanadas are normally small and semi-circular. 

Ingredients

Mouth-watering beef empanadas

 Crust:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt  
2 tablespoons cold lard
1 egg
1/2 cup milk, plus additional for brushing the pastry

Filling:
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground beef
3 tablespoons lard
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/4 cup dark or golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped green or black olives

Instructions

To make the crust, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; add 2 tablespoons of the lard and crumble between your fingers to combine. In a small bowl, beat the egg, add the milk, and add both to the flour mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball. Divide the dough into 8 parts, form the parts into balls, and roll the balls out on a floured surface into 3- to 4-inch circles, each about 1/8 inch thick. Set aside.

To make the filling, combine the onions and ground beef in a large bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons lard, paprika, and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly, until well mixed. Let stand a minute, then pour the lard over the meat mixture. Add the cumin, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Let cool completely.

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling and preheat to 400 degrees F.

To form the empanadas, place 1 heaping tablespoon of filling onto each dough round; divide evenly and add to each round the hard-boiled egg, raisins, and olives.

Wet the edges of the dough with cold water. Fold each round in half over the filling, sealing with the tines of a fork; brush with milk.

Transfer the pastries to a sheet pan, place on the barbecue over indirect heat for 20 minutes, turning several times so the pastry doesn’t burn, until the empanadas are just turning brown on the edges. Remove from barbecue and serve.

Garlic Cheese

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Called pikantny syr (spicy cheese) in Russian, this is a popular appetizer in Siberia and the Russian Far East. This recipe and others can be found in the article Siberian Hot Stuff By Sharon Hudgins

Ingredients

1/2 pound (8 ounces) medium-sharp white cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1/2 pound (8 ounces) Emmentaler cheese, finely shredded
1/4 cup pure sour cream (containing no additives)
1/4 cup full-fat mayonnaise
8 to 10 large garlic cloves, put through a garlic press
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or hot paprika (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Toss the shredded cheeses by hand in a large bowl. Mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, pressed garlic, hot pepper (optional), and salt in a small bowl, then add to the cheese, stirring to mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (and preferably overnight) to let the flavors meld. Let the cheese mixture come to room temperature before serving. Use as a stuffing for small firm ripe tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, as a topping for baked potatoes, or as a spread for dark bread.

Apple-Horseradish Sauce

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This sauce is an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, including sausages, as well as cold meats (beef, tongue, pork, ham) and smoked fish (salmon, sprats). You can find this recipe and others in the article Siberian Hot Stuff By Sharon Hudgins

Ingredients

3 tablespoons prepared horseradish (drained before measuring)
1/2 cup pure sour cream (containing no additives)
1/2 cup full-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and shredded
1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Instructions

Put the horseradish into a sieve and press as much liquid as possible out of it before measuring it. Combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl and whisk them together until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.