Bajan Seasoning (Barbadian Herb Marinade)
Local name: Bajan seasoning
In short: Barbadian green seasoning of thyme, marjoram, parsley, garlic, onion and lime, blended into a paste to marinate chicken, pork and fish. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 30 kcal
Bajan seasoning is the herb paste that sits behind much of Barbadian cooking. Onion, garlic, spring onion, thyme, marjoram and parsley are blended with lime juice and a little hot pepper, then rubbed on chicken, pork or fish hours before cooking. Most families keep a jar in the fridge and replace it every week or so. It works as a marinade, a base for stews and a flavoring for rice.
Instructions
- Combine the onion, garlic, scallions, bell pepper and hot pepper in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the thyme, parsley, marjoram, lime juice, vinegar, oil, salt and black pepper.
- Pulse again until you have a thick, spoonable green paste, scraping down the sides once. Add a splash of water only if the blades stall.
- Taste and adjust the salt. Spoon into a clean jar and press the surface flat.
- To use, rub about 2 tablespoons per 500 g (1.1 lb) of meat or fish and marinate for 1 hour, or overnight in the fridge.
Tips
- Keep the hot pepper seeded for flavor with little heat, or leave the seeds in for a fierce seasoning. Wear gloves when cutting it.
- Freeze the paste in ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Two cubes equal about 2 tablespoons.
Questions and answers
How long does Bajan seasoning last?
It keeps for about 1 week in a jar in the fridge, with a thin layer of oil on top, and for 3 months in the freezer.
What do you use Bajan seasoning for?
Rub it on chicken, pork, steak and fish before baking, frying or stewing. It also flavors fish cakes, rice dishes and soups.
Is Bajan seasoning spicy?
Only a little. A seeded hot pepper adds warmth, but the main flavors are herbs, onion and garlic.
How long does it take to make Bajan Seasoning (Barbadian Herb Marinade)?
About 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bajan Seasoning (Barbadian Herb Marinade)?
About 30 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 30 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
