These Air Fryer Meatballs are flavorful and perfect for your weeknight meals. Make them fresh or frozen in your Air Fryer in less than 15 minutes.

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[Read more...]by Tanya 32 Comments
These Air Fryer Meatballs are flavorful and perfect for your weeknight meals. Make them fresh or frozen in your Air Fryer in less than 15 minutes.
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.
[Read more...]If you want to create a home bar, you'll want to ensure you have all the essentials. From the base spirits and liqueurs to the right tools, we'll cover everything you need to set up your home-based bar. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.
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Having a home cocktail bar is a great idea. It's a great conversation starter and allows you to experiment with different recipes. It also helps to save money on expensive bar outings.
Most of all, it is a fun and relaxing way to spend time with friends and family. This comprehensive guide will explore the top home bar essentials you need to set up a fully stocked and functional home bar.
A well-stocked home bar starts with a variety of base spirits. These include vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. These versatile liquors will allow you to create a wide range of cocktails to suit any taste preference.
Investing in high-quality spirits is wise. The quality of ingredients will significantly affect the taste of cocktails. Thus, invest in the best you can afford.
Liqueurs like triple sec, vermouth, coffee liqueur, and amaretto can add depth and flavor to your concoctions. Keep a few of these on hand to enhance your cocktail creations. Liqueurs are typically sweet and can add complexity and character to your drinks. Experiment with different flavors and combinations to find your favorites.
Stock up on tonic water, soda water, cola, and ginger beer mixers to complement your spirits and liqueurs. These mixers will provide the perfect canvas for your cocktails, allowing you to play with different ratios and flavors. Consider having a variety of flavored syrups and purees, too, for a more extensive selection of mixers.
Fresh ingredients like lemons, limes, oranges, and mint are crucial for adding a refreshing touch to your drinks. Always keep a few on hand to elevate your cocktails to the next level. You can also purchase citrus juices for cocktails in your grocery store.
Don't forget other fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and pineapple, which can also be used to create unique and delicious cocktails.
E. Syrups and bitters, like simple syrup, grenadine, and Angostura bitters, can balance your drinks' sweetness and complexity. These additions will help you craft perfectly balanced cocktails that impress even the most discerning guests. For a personal touch, experiment with homemade syrups like honey, ginger, or cinnamon syrup.
A cocktail shaker is a must-have for mixing and chilling your drinks, ensuring a well-blended and refreshing cocktail. There are various types of shakers, such as the Boston shaker, cobbler shaker, and French shaker, each with advantages. Choose one that best suits your needs and comfort.
A strainer is crucial for separating ice and other solid ingredients from your cocktails, providing a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience. There are several types of strainers, like the Hawthorne, julep, and fine mesh strainer. Combining these will ensure you can strain any cocktail with ease.
A bar spoon is perfect for gently stirring cocktails, while a jigger ensures precise measurements for a perfectly balanced drink. Invest in a durable and accurate jigger; consistency is critical when creating cocktails. A double-sided jigger with different measurements on each end will be incredibly useful.
A muddler and citrus juicer are essential for extracting flavors from fresh fruits and herbs, allowing you to create cocktails with depth and freshness. Choose a muddler with a comfortable grip and a flat, sturdy end for effective muddling. A manual citrus juicer will ensure you always have fresh juice on hand for your cocktails.
Garnish tools, like a peeler, small knife, and cocktail picks, add the finishing touches to your drinks, enhancing the overall presentation and experience. A set of garnishing tools will allow you to create visually appealing and professional-looking cocktails that will impress your guests.
Lastly, an ice bucket and tongs will help keep your ice clean and easily accessible during cocktail-making sessions. Ice is essential to many cocktails, so having a dedicated place to store it is crucial. Consider investing in an insulated ice bucket to keep your ice from melting quickly.
You can find cocktail shaker sets that contain the majority of these home bar essentials in one kit.
Different glassware, such as highball, Collins, rocks, martini, coupe, wine, and shot glasses, can enhance the presentation of your drinks and improve the overall experience for you and your guests. High-quality glassware is visually appealing and can enhance the flavors and aromas of your cocktails.
Highball and Collins glasses are ideal for serving tall, mixed drinks, often with a high proportion of mixers. Rocks glasses, also known as Old Fashioned glasses, are perfect for serving spirits neat or on the rocks and shorter mixed drinks.
Martini and coupe glasses are best suited for serving cocktails, such as martinis and daiquiris, while wine glasses can serve wine-based cocktails like sangria or a spritzer. Shot glasses are perfect for serving straight shots or miniature versions of cocktails.
Master classic cocktails like the martini, margarita, Old Fashioned, mojito, and Negroni to impress your guests and build your mixology skills. Start with these timeless recipes and then experiment with your variations, incorporating different spirits, liqueurs, and fresh ingredients.
Familiarize yourself with popular techniques such as shaking, stirring, muddling, layering, and straining to create a variety of textures and flavors in your cocktails. Shaking is ideal for drinks with multiple ingredients and citrus as an ingredient while stirring is best for spirit-forward cocktails.
Muddling extracts flavors from fruits and herbs, and layering creates a visually appealing effect in drinks with different densities. Straining ensures a smooth and enjoyable cocktail by removing ice and other solids.
As you become more comfortable with these techniques, explore advanced methods like smoking, infusing, and fat-washing to elevate your cocktails and create truly unique and memorable experiences for your guests.
Consider storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, and bar carts to keep your spirits, tools, and glassware organized and accessible. This will make it easy for you to find everything you need when creating cocktails and help maintain the cleanliness of your home bar area.
Creative displays and lighting can showcase your collection and set the mood for your home bar. Use LED strip lights, under-cabinet lighting, or a backlit liquor shelf to highlight your spirits and glassware, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Space-saving tips, such as using stackable glassware and multipurpose tools, can help you make the most of your home bar, regardless of size. Opt for nesting bar tools and collapsible or wall-mounted storage solutions to maximize your available space.
Another home bar essential is space. Consider how much room you have to store all your ingredients and tools for your home bar. I suggest choosing 2-3 base spirits and 1-2 liqueurs you like the most. Regarding glassware, start with highballs (which can also be used for non-alcoholic drinks, like lemonade), a coupe, and rock glasses. I suggest buying only 2-4 of each glass.
Establish a budget for your home bar essentials. This will help you prioritize items to invest in, such as spirits, tools, and glassware. Remember that you can start small and gradually build your collection over time.
Plan for adequate storage space to keep your spirits, mixers, tools, and glassware organized and easily accessible. This may include shelves, cabinets, bar carts, or other storage solutions. Good organization will not only make your bar more functional but also more visually appealing.
As you explore the world of mixology, these home bar essentials will have you mixing up creative cocktails in no time. Don't be afraid to try new ingredients and techniques. The best part of having a home bar is the endless opportunity for creativity and enjoyment. Stick with the classic cocktails or come up with your creations.
Learn from experienced bartenders. Attend mixology workshops. Discover new recipes and ideas through books and online resources. Take the time to explore these options.
The more you experiment and refine your techniques, the better your cocktails will become.
by Tanya 2 Comments
A classic sidecar cocktail is a joy to drink. I make my Hennessy Sidecar Recipe using a good quality Hennessy cognac and mix it with Cointreau and fresh lemon juice. The result is a rich, sweet, slightly tart cocktail with your taste buds dancing. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.
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Cognac is a style of brandy that is produced in the Cognac region of France. Hennessy produce some of the best cognacs, which work beautifully in a classic sidecar cocktail.
I first enjoyed this cocktail at a bar in Washington D.C., but I'm a huge fan of making cocktails at home, so I had to learn how to make it.
This Hennessy sidecar cocktail recipe is the perfect example of cocktail simplicity. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice, give it a shake, and strain into your glass of choice. In a matter of minutes, you have the perfect cocktail serving for one.
However with this easy sidecar cocktail recipe feel free to double up the recipe, or even make it in a pitcher if you are serving a larger crowd of friends.
If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Peach Cobbler Cocktail, Bourbon Martini, Classic Margarita, Paloma Cocktail, Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.
Here's what you will need to make a Classic Hennessy Sidecar cocktail:
Optional: Prepare your coupe or martini glass by moistening the rim with a lemon wedge and then dipping it into a shallow plate of sugar to create a sugar rim.
Combine the Hennessy cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to ensure the ingredients are well chilled and mixed.
Strain the cocktail into a prepared coupe or martini glass.
These tips will help you make the best Sidecar recipe you've ever tried.
This cocktail has a good kick of cognac, with the orange liqueur adding both sweet and bitter notes, then the lemon juice adds just the right amount of tartness to balance the cocktail. If you prefer a little sweeter cocktail, add a little more orange liqueur.
Cointreau is a triple sec. It is a good quality orange liqueur with a great orange flavor. Triple secs vary in quality and strength. Cointreau has a lovely smooth flavor of sweet oranges, which works flawlessly in this sidecar cocktail recipe.
If you have tried this Hennessy Sidecar recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Jamaican Mackerel Rundown is a traditional, flavorful dish that combines tender mackerel with a rich and savory coconut milk sauce. Its unique blend of spices and ingredients creates an authentic taste of the Caribbean right in your own kitchen.
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Jamaican Mackerel Run Down is a traditional, flavorful dish that combines tender mackerel with a rich and savory coconut milk sauce. Its unique blend of spices and ingredients creates an authentic taste of the Caribbean right in your own kitchen.
Growing up in a Jamaican household has its perks, mainly all the delicious recipes I was able to enjoy. These included ackee and saltfish, brown stew chicken, oxtail, and mackerel run-down. This dish was for sure a favorite, as the coconut sauce pairs well with the fish in this dish.
Mackerel run down is complemented by side dishes such as boiled green bananas, dumplings, and white rice. It is also great served over a bed of steamed vegetables such as kale, carrots, and cabbage. This flavorful and comforting dish is sure to be a hit in any Jamaican home.
Traditionally, mackerel run down is made with salted or pickled mackerel. This mackerel must be prepped before adding it to a rich coconut sauce. I've modified the recipe using fresh mackerel and canned coconut milk rather than fresh coconut. This recipe is still delicious either way.
Chop all the vegetables and set them to the side.
Rinse mackerel in cold water and squeeze lime to wash the mackerel fish while rinsing. Debone the mackerel and chop the mackerel into bite-sized pieces.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped yellow onion, green onion, garlic, tomato, and sauté for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
Add the mackerel, coconut milk, pimento seeds, thyme, and all-purpose seasoning. Stir and mix to combine. Continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and remove the pimento seeds and thyme leaves before serving.
Mackerel Run down pairs well with plantains, boiled, green bananas, or fried dumplings. You can also serve it with a fresh salad on the side or steamed vegetables.
In order to make mackerel run down with salted fish, you will need to prep the fish before adding it to the coconut sauce. Follow these steps:
Sure! You can add a sliced scotch bonnet pepper, seeds removed, or a whole scotch bonnet pepper while the coconut sauce simmers.
The term "rundown" describes the process of cooking the sauce until it reduces, thickens, and "runs down" or breaks down to a rich and flavorful consistency.
We usually ate rundown for breakfast, but it can be eaten for lunch or dinner.
Looking for more Jamaican recipes? Try these out:
by Tanya 2 Comments
This Classic Margarita Recipe is one of my favorite tequila cocktail recipes, combining Blanco tequila with Cointreau, lime juice and a little sugar syrup, for a drink that really packs a punch. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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If you are looking for the Best Margarita Recipe, it should have a balance of flavors, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. That's why I always like to put a salt rim on my glass, as it balances out the other strong flavors in the cocktail itself.
I make my classic margarita recipe with Cointreau as it has a lovely depth of orange flavor. However, feel free to swap Cointreau for triple sec, or any other orange flavored liqueur.
This simple margarita recipe is easy to prepare, in just 5 minutes you have the perfect cocktail serving for one. However, feel free to double up the recipe, or even make it in a pitcher if you are serving a larger crowd of friends.
If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Strawberry Margarita, Paloma Cocktail, Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.
Here's what you will need to make a Classic Margarita cocktail:
Begin by preparing your glass. Dip the rim of a chilled glass into the small shallow dish with lime juice, making sure to coat the entire rim.
Next, dip the rim of the glass into the dish with coarse salt, rolling the glass to ensure an even coating of salt on the rim.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds, until well combined and chilled.
Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.
These tips will help you make the best Classic Margarita recipe you've ever tried.
Cointreau is a triple sec, it is a good quality orange liqueur with a great orange flavor. Triple sec's vary in quality and strength. Cointreau has a lovely smooth flavor of sweet oranges which I think works perfectly in a margarita.
Aside from decorating the glass, the salt balances out the sweetness from the Cointreau, bitterness from the tequila, and sourness from the lime juice.
The glass is first dipped in lime juice, which helps the coarse salt stick to the rim of the glass.
If you have tried this Classic Margarita recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
My quick and easy recipe for Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing tastes terrific and adds a real punch of flavor to anything you add it to. Used as a salad dressing, it transforms a simple bowl of romaine lettuce but works just as well as a dipping sauce for your favorite chicken wings recipe.
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This classic blue cheese dressing will taste far superior to anything you buy in your local store. This dressing is bursting full of fresh-tasting flavors. Also, with a homemade salad dressing, you won't find any unnecessary added sugars, additives, or preservatives.
I like to fall back on this easy dressing recipe when I'm pushed for time. I can have the dressing blended together in 5 minutes with a few simple ingredients. Then all it needs is a quick chill in the refrigerator.
Dressings and sauces are a great way of adding extra layers of flavor to a dish. If you enjoy making sauces, try my Sweet Onion Dressing, Tartar Sauce, or Homemade Remoulade Sauce.
In a small blender, combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk, crumbled blue cheese (reserving some for garnish, if desired), Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder.
Blend the ingredients on a low setting until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, blending again briefly to incorporate.
Transfer the dressing to a serving container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Stir the dressing before serving, and garnish with reserved crumbled blue cheese (if desired).
You can also mix this dressing together by hand:
These tips will help you make the best blue cheese dressing you've ever tasted:
This versatile dressing is great with salads, as a dip, or as a topping. Drizzle some dressing over romaine lettuce, and you have the base for a delicious green salad.
It works as a treat as a dipping sauce for your favorite wings recipe. Try my Jerk Chicken Wings or Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings, or my Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.
To refrigerate: Once made, the dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze: I don't recommend freezing this as the consistency is never quite the same once the dressing has been frozen. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, so I prefer to make it fresh when I need it.
Blue cheese dressing is a great source of calcium, and a homemade dressing is a great healthy option as there are no added sugars, additives, or preservatives that you will find in store-bought sauces.
No, whilst they are both creamy dressings made with a base of mayonnaise, buttermilk, and/or sour cream, the flavors differ. A ranch dressing has added herbs and spices, whereas, in a blue cheese dressing, the predominant flavor is blue cheese.
While they have the same ingredients, blue cheese dressing has a looser texture than blue cheese dip, which is a little thicker. This is easily done by adding a little more mayonnaise and cutting back on or swapping the buttermilk for sour cream.
If you have tried making this recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
by Tanya 9 Comments
My love for Jamaican cooking and Caribbean cuisine runs deep, inspiring this fresh Jamaican coleslaw salad! A creamy and crunchy combination of sweet, tangy, and spice.
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A take on fresh coleslaw, Jamaican style! Hints of delicious jerk spice you love in Jamaican food. Jamaican coleslaw is a simple recipe that's easy to make and can be served with a variety of different main dishes, including meat, fish, and vegetable-based dishes.
Some of my favorite dishes to pair with our Jamaican coleslaw are my Jamaican Oxtails, Baked Jamaican Jerk Shrimp, or this Jamaican Escovitch Fish.
After shredding, combine the cabbage, carrots, and scotch bonnet pepper. Set them aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, ground ginger, ground allspice, and ground nutmeg.
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for an hour before serving.
Keep your coleslaw stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
While you can serve our coleslaw right away, making this the day before and storing it in the fridge will allow the flavors to meld together.
How far ahead of time can I prep coleslaw? Shred your cabbage and carrots for at most, three days before mixing your coleslaw mixture. Keep them in a storage bag or container in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
Less cream, more tang! - Swap out all or half of the mayonnaise for Dijon mustard.
More sweetness - Cut the spice with sweet bits of pineapple, mango, or sweet peas.
Coleslaw is a great side dish for Sunday dinners around the BBQ. Creamy coleslaw salad can be served next to, on top of, or as part of many dishes. Especially when you're grilling, coleslaw provides that crunch, zest, and creamy component some meals need. Serve our Jamaican coleslaw salad with any of these dishes:
Any of these tools will shred cabbage; each might offer a different texture, however:
-Mandolin
-Food processor
-Manual press chopper
-Box shredder
Whichever tool your use, take care to use it safely to avoid any unnecessary cuts.
Green, red, napa, or savoy cabbage are all great options for coleslaw. Using red cabbage may result in some color bleeding into the dressing, but is great for added color contrast. Purely preference or what you have access to with do.
Looking for more amazing recipes? Try out these tasty Jamaican recipes:
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
A true staple in Jamaican cuisine, these soft, doughy Jamaican boiled dumplings are made from a simple mixture of flour, water, and a pinch of salt, then lovingly boiled to perfection. The result is a versatile and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite Jamaican recipes.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
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Dumplings, also known as "dumplin", are popular in the Caribbean and go with many delicious recipes, like ackee and saltfish, mackerel run down, and corned beef and cabbage. I have fond recipes of my grandmother making dumplings for dinner, rolling the dough in between her hands and flattening them with her palm. She made it look so easy, and I was glad to learn her process for delicious dumplings.
Jamaican-style dumplings are different than American or Asian dumplings. Using just flour, salt, and water, you can make a simple dough by mixing, rolling, and flattening it before adding it to boiling water to cook. Typically, people boil dumplings with green bananas and serve them as a side dish for various recipes.
If you like these boiled dumplings, be sure to check out these fried dumplings as well.
All you need for this recipe is all-purpose flour, salt, and water.
A large bowl
Clean, dry hands for mixing the dough
In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil to boil the dumplings.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt, stirring to distribute the salt evenly throughout the flour.
Gradually add water to the flour mixture, mixing with your hands until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into equal-sized pieces, rolling each into a smooth ball. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand to form a round, circular dumpling. It should look like a thick disk.
Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water, one at a time, ensuring that they don't stick together. You can use a wooden spoon to stir the dumplings in the water.
Boil the dumplings for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked dumplings from the pot, allowing any excess water to drain.
Serve with your favorite recipes.
Refrigeration: To store leftover Jamaican dumplings in the refrigerator, first, allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Then, place the cooled dumplings in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked dumplings. Begin by laying the cooled dumplings on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch each other, and freeze them for a couple of hours or until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dumplings to a resealable plastic freezer bag or an airtight container, remove as much air as possible before sealing, and store them in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To reheat, place the frozen dumplings in boiling water and boil for 10-15 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through.
These dumplings are a great side dish in many recipes. Try them with callaloo and saltfish, mackerel rundown, air-fried plantains, curry chicken, or steamed fish.
Jamaican dumplings are made of a simple mixture of all-purpose flour, salt, and water. The ingredients are combined to form a slightly sticky dough, which is then shaped into small, round dumplings before being boiled. The basic recipe can be easily customized by using different types of flour, like whole wheat flour.
The dumplings will rise to the surface of the boiling water, signaling that they are almost done. Their texture will change, becoming slightly firmer and less doughy. Pierce one with a fork or knife to check its doneness. If the utensil goes through easily and the dumpling looks cooked inside, they are ready to be served.
Yes, you can use self-rising flour to make Jamaican boiled dumplings, resulting in slightly lighter and fluffier dumplings. Omit additional salt, as self-raising flour typically contains salt. Follow the same recipe, adjusting the water as needed for the desired dough consistency.
If you don't have allspice or can't find it in your local grocery store, in a couple of minutes you can create a homemade allspice substitute using common spices you may already have in your pantry.
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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Allspice is a versatile spice that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes, and it adds a warm spice flavor to a variety of dishes. Commonly used to flavor meat dishes, particularly beef, lamb, and pork.
Allspice is a key ingredient in jerk seasoning, which is a spicy flavor used particularly in Caribbean cuisine like my Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Jamaican Jerk Pork, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken Soup.
When you can't find ground allspice, this combination of other spices creates that distinct spice allspice gives.
In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and stir until they are well combined.
Then store the allspice substitute in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Storing homemade spices properly is important to maintain their flavor and freshness. Here are some tips on how to store your allspice substitute and other homemade ground spices:
It's a pretty unique and delicious spice that comes from the dried berries of a tree that grows in the Caribbean and Central America. Even though it's called "allspice" it's not a mix of 'all spices'. Surprisingly, It's just one spice with a flavor that kind of tastes like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Find allspice in the form of whole berries or ground into a powder. People in the Caribbean, Middle East, and North Africa use allspice a lot in their cooking. And, fun fact, some people even use allspice to help with digestion and pain relief.
Substitute allspice with any of these warm spices and a peppery kick.
Allspice is a warm spice that is often described as a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It has a peppery bite and is slightly sweet, making it a popular choice for both sweet and savory dishes. Allspice can add depth and complexity to both types of dishes, from spiced cakes and pies to stews and meat dishes.
Looking for more homemade spice recipes? Try these out:
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
by Tanya 4 Comments
My delicious BBQ chicken in the slow cooker will make for an easy dinner tonight. A delicious recipe loaded with a smoky taste and great flavor. Serve piled in a warm sandwich topped with even more bbq sauce and slaw!
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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This isn't any basic barbecue chicken, my homemade bbq sauce brings the heat, tang, and smoke you want in a bbq pulled chicken. A perfect addition to a backyard summer gathering, lunch buffet, or family gathering.
This chicken has the flavor and texture of BBQ chicken that has been cooked low and slow, similar to pulled pork. To get this texture, I use a mixture of both chicken thighs and chicken breast but feel free to use all chicken breast if you prefer.
Try these tasty recipes alongside your pulled chicken: Homemade Refrigerator Pickles, Coleslaw, and Oven-roasted Cauliflower. This will quickly become a favorite meal to serve the family.
Place chicken in the slow cooker insert. Sprinkle with bbq seasoning and rub the seasoning into the chicken.
Add the tangy bbq sauce on top.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the chicken from the insert and shred the chicken. I use my Kitchenaid mixer to speed up this process.
Return the chicken to the crock pot insert and stir in the bbq sauce. Add additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Serve your bbq shredded chicken and enjoy!
Once your leftover chicken has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Can I freeze pulled bbq chicken? Yep! Allow the chicken to cool and place it in freezer-safe, airtight containers or plastic bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Try freezing in individual servings.
Shredded bbq chicken can be prepared with two forks, as we've done for so long. The most recent discovery in shredding chicken starts with your stand mixer, believe it or not! You can just as well use a hand mixer too.
Simply add your cooked chicken breasts (this goes for boiled or baked as well) to the bowl of your stand mixer, and use the paddle attachment to shred the chicken in just a few minutes.
This method can also be done with any pulled pork or roast you want to be shredded or "pulled".
I love serving crockpot bbq chicken between warm (sometimes toasted) brioche hamburger buns, topped with extra sauce, Monterey jack cheese, and cole slaw. BBQ shredded chicken can also be served with any of these tasty dishes:
Looking for more slow cooker recipes? Try these out:
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!