This firecracker shrimp rice has simply flabbergasted me with its insanely delicious flavors thanks to its firecracker sauce! I had no idea a simple sauce can be so incredibly tasty that you can make such a stunning meal in under 30 minutes!

With an unavoidable disruption in my blogging schedule, I came back today with an extraordinary recipe to make up for the couple of days delay!

This firecracker shrimp rice will make your home dining a special affair and I can vouch without an iota of doubt that everyone in your family will love it!

I will be honest with you that before trying it on my own, I was also not expecting something as mind-blowing as it proved to be.

I was drawn to it for my favorite thing which is, surprise surprise, shrimp! LOL! The secret behind the crazy deliciousness of this firecracker shrimp rice is not in shrimp; it is in its sauce!

Let’s deep dive into it, shall we?

What is Firecracker Shrimp Rice?

You may have assumed from its name that firecracker shrimp rice is a hot & tangy fried rice topped with sweet & salty shrimps!

Well, you are partly right! This firecracker shrimp rice is indeed a hot & tangy fried rice topped with soft & succulent shrimps! But there is more to it!

It won’t be justified if we simply describe this firecracker shrimp rice as another fried rice! Nope, it’s much more than that!

Let’s talk about the secret sauce of this dish and you will know why I'm claiming it to be so special!

The firecracker sauce is an amalgamation of sweet, tangy, spicy and salty ingredients which come together to make a stir-fry sauce which is beyond perfection!

When the rice & shrimps are stir fried in this incredible sauce, they take a makeover which is way too delicious than anything I had ever imagined!

This firecracker shrimp rice truly turned out to be a pleasant surprise for both of us! My better half was just assuming it to be another shrimp fried rice!

But when he saw its gorgeousness he guessed that it might be something different. And then came the final taste test!

Voila! We both loved it so much that we had to recreate it again to share it with all of you guys as this firecracker shrimp rice is just a must-have!

The post Firecracker Shrimp Rice | Easy & Delicious Firecracker Shrimps with Rice first appeared on Flavor Quotient.

Photo by Rob Baas.

Updated for 2025

What Makes Jamaican Jerk So Fiery?

As anyone who has eaten real-deal Jamaican jerk can tell you, it hurts. Smoke gets in your eyes and Scotch bonnet chiles scorch your gullet.

“You need to sweat while you’re eating jerk,” says my friend, Gary Feblowitz (we met on the set of Project Smoke).

An Emmy award-winning videographer (you’ve seen his work on the Discovery Channel and PBS), Feblowitz is one of jerk’s most zealous evangelists. The license plate on his SUV reads “JRKMSTR.” (I’m guessing that would play well in Kingston, but might be misinterpreted in Gary’s home state of Minnesota.)

The Story Behind Authentic Jerk Ingredients

Gary’s jerk epiphany occurred when a vacation to Jamaica was extended two weeks by a medical emergency that prohibited air travel. He knew the key to authentic jerk was the pimento (allspice) tree—its fruit (allspice berries), leaves, and especially, its fragrant wood. He wanted to import these ingredients into the U.S., but the Jamaican government had banned pimento exports in the early 1900s after demand for the dense, beautiful wood nearly wiped out the supply. (At the time, it was popular for umbrella handles.) Gary proposed to use only trim or felled trees and plant three for every one he imported. The Jamaican officials agreed.

Like North American barbecue, Jamaican jerk is simultaneously a dish, a cooking method, and a way of life—a noun and a verb.

Historically, jerk is associated with the Maroons, runaway slaves who settled in the mountains when the British defeated their Spanish owners in 1655. The Maroons hunted wild boar, which they rubbed with a fiery paste of salt, spices, onions, ginger, and chiles, and cooked it slowly over smoldering pimento or laurel wood fires in earthen pits. The method tenderized and preserved the meat, and more importantly, produced little smoke, which would have given away their positions. (Cuba’s lechon asado and Hawaii’s kālua pig are similar.)

Modern Jamaican Jerk: Methods and Proteins

Today, Jamaica’s “jerkmen” are more likely to cook in modified steel drums or shallow trough-like grills covered with sheets of corrugated tin. Once you master the basics, you can jerk almost any protein on your gas or charcoal grill or smoker. Chicken and pork are the most popular meats, but I’ve also encountered jerk snapper, lobster, shrimp, and even tofu. Gary confided one of his favorite preparations is jerk brisket. We can’t wait to try that!

Key Ingredients in Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Most jerk ingredients are available at any supermarket.

• Scotch bonnet chile: One of the world’s most fiery chiles (100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units), with a sweet heat that blooms in the mouth rather than bludgeons. But still approach with caution. For less heat, seed the peppers. If you cannot find Scotch bonnets, substitute habaneros. Wear gloves when handling.
• Pimento wood: This fragrant tropical tree is one of the defining flavors of jerk. To be strictly authentic, cook the food on a grate of pimento wood sticks and generate smoke with pimento wood chips. Because it is so dense, the sticks can be reused if you work over a low fire.
• Pimento berries and leaves: Pimento berries—also called allspice—are available in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. Be sure to buy whole berries, not ground allspice. Gary (see website above) usually carries dried pimento leaves. If they are unavailable, substitute bay leaves.

Get The Recipes

Cooking Tips for Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Use fresh ingredients whenever possible: Fresh scallions, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers make a huge difference in flavor compared to dried or bottled substitutes.

Marinate overnight: Let your chicken soak in the jerk marinade for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, to deeply infuse those bold, spicy flavors.

Get your grill ready for indirect heat: Jamaican jerk is traditionally cooked low and slow over indirect heat, often with pimento wood smoke if you can find it. This helps develop that smoky crust without burning the spices.

Don’t rush the cooking: Keep the grill temperature around 275-300°F (135-150°C) and cook the chicken slowly. This locks in moisture and allows the spices to caramelize nicely.

Use a meat thermometer: Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe, juicy results.

Add smoke for extra flavor: If you have a smoker or pellet grill, adding a bit of wood smoke (hickory, apple, or preferably pimento wood) enhances that authentic jerk aroma.

Baste occasionally: Spoon or brush reserved marinade or a bit of oil on the chicken during cooking to keep it moist and flavorful.

Rest before serving: Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute for a tender bite.

Check out our 1000+ Recipes section here on Barbecue Bible.Com

Also, sign up for our Up in Smoke newsletter so you don't miss any blogs and receive some special offers! PLUS get Raichlen's Burgers! PDF for free!

Follow Steven on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, and Pinterest!

Check out our store powered by BBQGuys!

The post Go for the Burn: Authentic Jamaican Jerk at Home appeared first on Barbecuebible.com.

Our hot tropical summer demands a cool & refreshing salad to start our every meal and this smashed cucumber salad is just the perfect one to fit in! Plus it gives us the much needed spicy kick that we Indians always crave for!

Since the time I have started my lifelong fitness journey, I don't remember a single meal that I have started without a large bowl of fresh salad! Whatever season it may be!

And now it has been a default part of our daily meals!

On regular days, we start our meals with a generous serving of freshly cut cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, beetroot and whatever other seasonal salad we can source.

Then on a fine day I stumbled upon this unique cucumber salad which the internet was going nuts over! Smashed cucumber salad!

A smashed salad? Really? Am I reading it right?

Well it turned out that I was reading it right and therefore was no way other than trying it myself and see why it is going so viral!

What is smashed cucumber salad?

I am sure you have seen multiple viral videos of smashed cucumber salad on various platforms, so I guess I do not need to explicitly describe what this salad actually means!

If you haven't seen it, you can check out my video of this viral salad here or below!

I don’t know how this trend started or who got the idea of smashing the cucumbers before tossing them in that incredible chilli oil dressing.

But whoever brought this into existence, we must thank them for their innovation!

The cracks created due to the smashing absorb the spicy salad dressing beautifully making the salad taste insanely addictive!

And that’s what has made this salad viral; I am completely ignoring the weird satisfaction we get from smashing the cucumbers!

You must try this at least once to get a taste of this smashed magic!

The post The Viral Smashed Cucumber Salad | Best Summer Salad to Beat the Heat! first appeared on Flavor Quotient.

Originally posted 2016-12-07 00:29:48.

The post Masala Arbi (Sautéed Taro Root) appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

STUFFED BRINJAL CURRY

There are various versions of stuffed brinjal recipes. This is one of the easiest and yummiest recipe you can find anywhere which is based out of Maharashtra. I grew up eating stuffed brinjal cooked in coconut base curry, but that recipe some other time. I simply love this sabjiyon ka raja (king of vegetables) Baingan/Brinjal/Eggplant in any form, be it fried, baked, fire roasted, grilled, in lasagna, rice or in curry. This spicy preparation will send you drooling, guaranteed!

Ingredients:

• 8 medium sized brinjals
• 1 big onion chopped
• 1 tbsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 2 pod garlic chopped (optional)
• 1 inch ginger chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup peanuts roasted and powdered
• 1/2 tsp jaggery (or brown sugar)
• salt as per taste
• 1/2 tsp tamarind pulp
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 10 curry leaves (optional)
• 2-3 tbsp oil
• cilantro for garnish
• 2 cups water (or more)

Preparation:

• Slit the brinjals in 4 parts keeping the stalk intact. Soak it in salt and tamarind water for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime make a mixture of chopped onions, peanut powder, chilly powder, garam masala, ginger garlic, salt.
• Drain the water from brinjals and stuff it with this onion mixture. Keep the remaining onion mixture aside.
• In a wide non-stick pan, heat oil, add mustard seeds, once it splutters add curry leaves and the remaining onion mixture and saute it for few minutes. 
• Now slowly add the stuffed brinjal and let it slightly roast on all sides, for a couple of minutes on each side. 
• Now add 1 cup water and close the lid, let it cook for 8-10 minutes on low-med heat. Add jaggery and tamarind pulp. Now very gently turn brinjals over and let it cook till done. Last few minutes cook uncovered. Curry thickens, adjust water and spices accordingly. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with bhakri, roti or paratha. It's finger licking good!

njoY!! happY cookinG!!



Health Benefits: King of vegetables, better provide some royal benefits :) It helps in iron production in our body, keeps chronic diseases at bay, helps quit smoking(who knew?), has good amount of vitamin C and is effective as antiviral and antibacterial source, helps to have healthy strong hair, keeps the skin soft and supple, prevents skin cancer etc. Research on eggplant has focused on an anthocyanin phytonutrient found in eggplant skin called nasunin. Nasunin is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

Haleem is a delightful delicacy, a very popular one pot dish enjoyed by people not only in India and Pakistan but across the globe. It is made with pounded or broken wheat, barley, lentils and meat (lamb, beef or chicken) and ghee (clarified butter) in a flavourful combination of exotic spices slow cooked to perfection....

Read More

The post Easy Haleem (with lamb/beef) appeared first on Mamas Secret Recipes.

Aloo tikki chaat is a tongue tingling, mouthwatering delight which is served hot with a combination of red, green and brown chutneys and condiments such as thinly sliced onions, julienned radish and ginger. It is a very popular street food in India which is enjoyed by everyone. This is a typical Delhi style aloo tikki...

Read More

The post Quick Aloo Tikki Chaat (Potato Patty Chaat) appeared first on Mamas Secret Recipes.

This is a delicious preparation of lamb using whole spices and a yogurt based seasoning without any onions or tomatoes. A quick and easy dish packed with flavour and goes well with naan, roti or basmati rice. You’d love this dish because it is full of flavour and taste. It is more or less like...

Read More

The post Masala Lamb (in the Instant Pot) appeared first on Mamas Secret Recipes.

The coastal regions of India where sea-food is fresh and abundant, revel for their wide variety of fish curries and each is one of a kind. With the use of fresh ground coconut, fragrant curry leaves, cumin, fenugreek and other spices in various combinations, different types of curries are made and each community has its own special curry to offer.
This is an easy version of fish curry that I created as I was feeling lazy and wanted to eat fish but something quick without using onions. So made this in tomato chutney style et voilà it was sensational!

Ingredients:
1 whole trout fish 1 lb
2 large tomatoes chopped
2-4 small green chillies
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp roasted cumin & fenugreek powder
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 dried red chillies
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
A few fresh curry leaves
4 tbs olive/canola oil

Instructions:
1. To clean descale the fish, rub salt on the skin to remove the slime and rinse under running water well. Then scrape the shiny white and black skin with a paring knife and rinse again till all the slime is off and the scales are removed.
2. Cut into steaks or fillets, drain and keep aside.
3. Add oil to the pot on medium heat. When hot enough throw in the dried red chillies and mustard seeds. As they begin to crackle, toss in the crushed garlic cloves, slit green chillies and curry leaves.
4. Immediately add the chopped tomatoes, salt, turmeric, roasted cumin fenugreek and red chilli powder and mix well. Cook till the tomatoes soften and blend well in the masala. Sprinkle a little water from the sides, and simmer for 2 minutes.
5.Now gently drop the trout pieces one by one into the curry leaving enough space between them. Pour in half a cup of water from the sides, give the pot a gentle shake by holding it with kitchen mitts or gloves then Let it cook on medium heat till the curry starts bubbling.
6. Turn down the heat, cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until the oil rises on top and the curry aroma hits your nose making your mouth water.
7. The trout curry is now ready to enjoy with steamed rice or rice hoppers or rice paashtis (soft rice tacos)

You may also like:

The post Tomato Trout Curry – Chutney Style! appeared first on Mama's Secret Recipes.

My husband loved all kinds of Indian street foods and the chaats were his favourite.  He loved the hot and spicy flavours and could make a chaat using basic ingredients in the kitchen. What is Read More ...

The post Samosa Chaat with yogurt ( Dahi samosa chaat) appeared first on Give Me Some Spice!.

Who doesn’t love the potato salad served as a side at home or in restaurants?    We all tend to have huge helpings at the eat as much as you like buffets!!  However, a lot Read More ...

The post Potato Salad appeared first on Give Me Some Spice!.

If you think healthy food only means salads & soups, then this grilled fish tikka will completely change your perspective! This smoky & spicy fish tikka will leave a sensational flavor on your taste buds while giving you a healthy boost of protein and omega 3 fatty acids! If you are planning to entertain your […]

The post Grilled Fish Tikka | Easy Fish Recipe for Your Omega-3 Shots appeared first on Flavor Quotient.

Originally posted 2015-04-08 22:32:07.

The post Tomato Chutney (Pickle) appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.