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If you love Jamaican-American food as much as Chef Andre Fowles, you know there’s nothing that can beat high-quality, authentic ingredients right from Jamaica! In fact, if you’ve dined in fine dining establishments in New York, you may have even gotten the chance to enjoy many of these tasty dishes. But not everyone lives in the Caribbean, and plenty of people in the US just aren’t close enough to big cities where these ingredients can be found. Is there a way to hack Jamaican-American recipes so everyone can make them? These trending food hacks come very close!

Jamaican Allspice Substitute
Allspice is a delicious flavor that reminds one of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. While allspice is its own plant and seasoning, a savvy chef can make a close substitute in a pinch. If you’re all out of allspice, you can try this hack instead, replacing a teaspoon of allspice with a teaspoon of the following:
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon of cloves

Scotch Bonnet Pepper Swaps
Scotch Bonnet peppers are a must for Jamaican cooking, and are a key element of Jamaican Jerk seasoning. But what if your local market is out? Habanero and serrano chili peppers have a similar flavor and heat, which makes them a good alternative. If you want a higher heat boost, Thai red chiles will get you there, but aren’t as close in flavor. Experiment in your recipe with a combination to see what tastes best!

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Authentic Jamaican chefs like Andre Fowles make their own jerk seasoning, combining the best sweet, savory, and spicy flavors for the occasion. But does an at-home chef really need to take the time and effort to find all the ingredients? Not at all! Don’t feel like you’re cheating if you reach for a jar of Jamaican jerk seasoning for your next meal—just make sure you choose a delicious one!

The cuisines of each culture are unique, and many are driven by what’s locally available. Use what you have on hand for your next cooking experiment and see what happens! For more assistance, personalized cooking classes, or catering, keep visiting Chef Andre Fowles!