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

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.

In Jamaica, they call pimento allspice. You can find allspice berries in the spice section of your grocery store, but they are often less expensive bought in bulk at a natural foods store. If you can’t find goat meat you can substitute lamb or mutton.

Ingredients

•    2 pounds goat meat, diced
•    3 tablespoons curry powder, divided
•    2 medium onions, diced
•    3 (or more) Scotch bonnet peppers, stemmed, seeded and minced (or substitute habaneros)
•    1 teaspoon black pepper
•    2 cloves garlic
•    Salt to taste
•    2 green onions, thinly sliced
•    1 sprig fresh thyme
•    12 allspice berries
•    1/4 cup vegetable oil
•    2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
•    2 large carrots, peeled and diced

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss the meat with 2 tablespoons curry and everything except the potatoes and carrots. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Pour the oil into a very large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon curry to the oil and stir. Add the meat, marinade, carrots and potatoes to pan and stir. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the meat is cooked through, about 40 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasonings. If desired, add another Scotch bonnet, whole, and cook 5 more minutes.

Serve with rice or flatbreads.

Goat meat, which is not commonly eaten in the United States (except in the Southwest), appears in many West Indian recipes. The Trinis sometimes eat curried goat Jamaican-style, but this version with coconut is more customary.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil

• 1 onion, chopped fine

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 seasoning peppers, seeds and stems removed, chopped fine (or substitute Yellow Wax Hots)

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

• 2 teaspoons ground coriander

• 1 teaspoon turmeric

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons red chile powder (powdered pure chiles, without spices)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1½ pounds lean goat meat (or substitute lamb), cut into ½ -inch cubes

• 1½ cups water

• 2 tablespoons coconut cream, or more to taste

• salt to taste

Instructions

Heat the ghee or oil in a skillet, add the onion, garlic, peppers, and ginger and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the coriander, turmeric, black pepper, chile powder, and cumin and sauté for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add the meat and brown it, stirring occasionally. Add the water and simmer the meat until tender, about 1 hour. Add more water if the mixture becomes too dry. Stir in the coconut cream and cook for 5 minutes.

Add salt to taste and serve hot with rice and a chutney of choice.