Contrary to what you might believe, allspice is not a collection of spices blended in a jar. Real allspice, also called "pimento" or "pimienta" in some countries, is from a Jamaican plant, and has a variety of uses in cooking.
Instructions
1. Get real allspice. The spice comes either crushed or in small pea-sized balls. The whole allspice seeds keep longer and provide a fuller flavor in soups and other recipes.
2. Grind allspice for recipes where you want a consistent taste and not an explosion of flavor. The taste of allspice has been described as a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, with a bit of pepper thrown in. Grinding allspice makes its contribution to a dish more subtle.
3. Consider using Jamaican jerk seasoning for a different allspice flavor. These packaged seasonings rely heavily on allspice. Some are already in liquid form for an easy marinade or an addition to a sandwich.
4. Mix allspice with peppercorns to enhance its peppery taste. Whole allspice seeds and whole peppercorns can be ground together, accentuating the complementary tastes of both.
5. Use allspice in authentic Jamaican recipes. A rice-and-peas dish is just one example of how Jamaican cooks use allspice to give food a big flavor. Another popular use of allspice is to complement the beef or other filling of the stuffed pastries popular in many Jamaican stores.
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