Recipe: Bajan Baked Chicken (Barbedos) and Bajan Seasoning Mix

Bajan Baked Chicken (Barbedos)
Source: Taste of the Tropics: Traditional & Innovative Cooking from the Pacific & Caribbean by Jay Solomon

'Chopped seasoning' is a popular blend of spices on the Caribbean island of Barbados. Bajans, as the residents are known, use the blend of seasonings to marinate chicken, fish (especially fried flying fish), and pork.

10 green onions, chopped
1 medium-size onion, diced
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 Scotch bonnet pepper or jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 chicken thighs
4 chicken drumsticks

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, place all of the ingredients except the chicken. Process for 30 seconds, forming a paste. Scrape the sides at least once during the processing.

Place the chicken in a bowl, covering it with the paste. Force the paste into any crevices
in the chicken. Marinate in refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the chicken in a baking dish in a single layer and bake for 45 minutes, until the meat pulls easily from the bone. Turn the chicken after 20 minutes and baste with the pan juices.

Serve with rice, and curried vegetables.

Bajan Seasoning
Source: The Whole Chile Pepper Book by Dave Dewitt and Nancy Gerlach

3 Habanero chiles, stems and seeds removed, finely chopped
6 scallions, finely chopped, including the greens
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Cut deep gashes in meat and fill with seasoning mixture. Cook as desired.