Gluten Free Seafood

Succulent Oven Jerk Shrimp.

Once again I’m sharing a ‘Jerk’ recipe and I feel compelled to mention as I always do… yes authentic Jamaican Jerk (anything) is a combination of the jerk marinade and the technique of grilling over pimento wood. I am based in Canada and it’s the middle of winter, so it’s all about using the indoor oven as best we can. Save the idiotic comments please.

You’ll Need…

3-4 large shrimp (cleaned)
1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk marinade
2 1/2 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
1 1/2tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4-8 sprigs thyme
3 scallions (divided)
1 lemon (juice)
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 clementine (juice)

Important! If doing this recipe gluten free, please read the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the Jerk Marinade you use as most will contain soy sauce and potently other gluten ingredients.

Preheat your oven to 525 F (broil). As the oven comes up to temperature, clean and wash the shrimp (or lobster tails) with the juice of 1/2 the lemon and cool water. Split the shrimp down the middle and devein, but be sure to leave the shell on. Yea, some of you may call these prawns.

It’s time to make the sort of dressing to cover the split shrimp with. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, the jerk marinade (yes I used store bought, but you can use the recipe I have on here to make your own), ginger, black pepper, juice of the clementine (or orange juice), 1 scallion chopped finely, honey and black pepper.

In a roasting tray (I used a cast iron pan), drizzly on the remaining olive oil (or line it with foil for easier cleanup after), then lay out the shrimp shell side down and pour the jerk marinade onto the exposed flesh.

Tuck the thyme and remaining scallions between the shrimp, so as it roasts in the oven you’ll get a further herbal perfume in the air. NOTE! You can sprinkle some salt and black pepper (if you want) onto the shrimp before dressing them with the jerk marinade.

Now into the oven for 6-8 minutes, depending on how large the shrimp are that you use.

I had the pan on the middle rack for the first 4 minutes, then the top rack the final couple mins. As soon as I took it out of the oven, I drizzled on the remaining lemon juice and chopped parsley.

Who said you couldn’t do brilliant Jerk Shrimp in the Oven? Feel free to use your outdoor propane or charcoal grill if you prefer. The use of the honey and clementine juice will give it a lovely undertone of sweetness (jerk marinade can be spicy) and citrus.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/


Gluten Free Seafood

Amazing Stove-top Mango Jerk Shrimp.

jamaican jerk shrimp (2)

Jerk Shrimp is definitely one of my favorite ways to cook/enjoy shrimp. And while the flavors you get from cooking jerk shrimp over  a glowing coals fire is the preferred method, this stove-top method is arguably just as tasty. The fact that it’s quick to put together and the fiery heat of the jerk spiced marinade is balanced with the fruitiness of the mango.. makes for a recipe you’ll find yourself making on a regular basis. I guarantee your friends will be begging you for this recipe.

You’ll Need…

1 1/2 lbs medium shrimp (cleaned and deveined)
1 cup diced mango
1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (diced fine)
3 scallions (chopped)
4 cloves garlic (diced fine)
4 sprigs thyme (leaves)
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
2 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 lime (juice)
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Important! If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the soy sauce you choose to use.

Peel, devein and wash your shrimp. I used medium sized shrimp and I kept the tail on. Season with the salt, black pepper, 1/2 of the olive oil, dark soy sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and brown sugar. You can marinate for a and hour or as in my case.. I cooked immediately.

jamaican jerk shrimp (3)

jamaican jerk shrimp (4)

Heat the remaining oil (I used a non stick pan) on a medium flame, then add the scallions, garlic, thyme and scotch bonnet pepper. Turn the heat down to as low as it will go and gently cook for about 3 minutes. With the scotch bonnet pepper, use as much as you can handle, wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling then and you may want to turn the fan on over your stove.

jamaican jerk shrimp (5)

Turn the heat up to med/high now and add the seasoned shrimp, stir well. The goal is to NOT over cook the shrimp, so I’d recommend using a wide pan (this way there’s a lot of room to cook evenly). Add the diced mango and the grated ginger. Stir well.

jamaican jerk shrimp (6)

Cook for about 4-5 minutes, depending how large the shrimp are that you used.

jamaican jerk shrimp (7)

jamaican jerk shrimp (8)

Taste for salt and adjust accordingly, then squeeze the lime juice in and top with the chopped parsley.

jamaican jerk shrimp (9)

jamaican jerk shrimp (1)

Some quick tips.. marinate for bolder flavors, try to not over-cook and  use a 1/2 ripe mango (one that’s about 80% ripe – but still firm). If you wanted to add a couple tablespoon of orange and mango juice.. EXCELLENT! Do be mindful of the heat of the scotch bonnet pepper. Habanero or any of your fav pepper will work too.

Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2