Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some of the best recipes from around the world. Today, we are going to show you how to make footprints rasta pasta, a popular and signature dish from Footprints Café, a Brooklyn-based restaurant that serves authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine. If you love pasta, cheese, and jerk seasoning, then you will love this dish!
Footprints rasta pasta is a creamy and spicy dish that combines penne pasta, chicken, cheese, and bell peppers in a rich sauce flavored with jerk seasoning. It is a fusion of Italian and Jamaican flavors that will make your taste buds dance. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, as it only takes about an hour to make from scratch. Plus, it is very filling and satisfying, so you won’t need to worry about leftovers.
What is Jerk Seasoning and Where to Find It?
Jerk seasoning is a key ingredient in footprints rasta pasta, as it gives the dish its distinctive flavor and heat. But what exactly is jerk seasoning and where can you find it?
Jerk seasoning is a spice blend that originated in Jamaica and is used to marinate and grill meat, fish, and vegetables. It typically contains ingredients such as allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, onion, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. The word “jerk” refers to the method of poking holes in the meat to allow the seasoning to penetrate deeper.
How to Make Your Own Jerk Seasoning
If you can’t find jerk seasoning in your local grocery store or online, don’t worry. You can easily make your own jerk seasoning at home with some common spices. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow:
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of allspice, 2 tablespoons of dried thyme, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Mix well and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Use about 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning per pound of meat or vegetables.
Where to Buy Jerk Seasoning Online
If you prefer to buy jerk seasoning online instead of making your own, there are many options available. Here are some of the best places where you can order jerk seasoning online:
- [Amazon](^1^): Amazon has a wide selection of jerk seasoning products from different brands and sizes. You can find jerk seasoning in powder form, paste form, or sauce form. Some of the most popular products include [Walkerswood Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning](^2^), [Grace Jamaican Jerk Seasoning](^3^), and [Island Spice Jerk Seasoning](^4^).
- [Jamaican Products](^5^): Jamaican Products is an online store that specializes in authentic Jamaican food products. You can find jerk seasoning in various forms and flavors, such as [hot], [mild], [honey], or [smoked]. You can also find other Jamaican products such as sauces, marinades, snacks, drinks, and more.
- [The Spice House]: The Spice House is an online store that sells high-quality spices from around the world. You can find jerk seasoning in powder form or rub form. Some of the products include [Jamaican Jerk Seasoning], [Jamaican Jerk Rub], and [Jamaican Jerk BBQ Sauce]. You can also find other spices such as curry powder, paprika, turmeric, and more.
How to Make Footprints Rasta Pasta: Step by Step Instructions
Now that you know what jerk seasoning is and where to find it, let’s get started on making footprints rasta pasta. This recipe serves 4 people and takes about an hour to make. Here are the ingredients and the step by step instructions:
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 1 lb (3 pieces) |
| Penne pasta | 2 cups |
| Red bell pepper | 1 |
| Green bell pepper | 1 |
| Jerk seasoning | 2 tablespoons |
| Parma Rosa Sauce Mix (optional) | 2 packets |
| Milk | 1.5 – 2 cups |
| Sharp cheddar cheese or grated mozzarella | 2 cups |
| Green seasoning (as needed) | – |
| Garlic | 1 large clove |
| Green onion | 1 stalk |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt, black pepper, and olive oil (for bell peppers) | – |
- Clean and season the chicken breasts with green seasoning or any seasoning of your choice, then coat them with 1 tablespoon of jerk seasoning. Let them sit for a while or leave them overnight in the fridge.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the seasoned chicken breasts in a greased baking tray wrapped with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Boil the pasta in salted water for about 10 minutes or until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cut the bell peppers into thin strips and toss them with salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until slightly charred.
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic and green onion until soft. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of jerk seasoning and stir to coat the onion mixture.
- Add the milk and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until slightly thickened. If using Parma Rosa Sauce Mix, add it now and whisk well to combine. Alternatively, you can use creamy tomato sauce or Alfredo sauce with some chopped tomatoes.
- Add half of the pasta, half of the cheese, and half of the bell peppers to the sauce and stir well. Add the remaining pasta, cheese, and bell peppers and stir again. If the sauce is too thick, add more milk as needed.
- Add the chicken pieces and toss to combine everything. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot with some bread or salad on the side. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Making Footprints Rasta Pasta
Footprints rasta pasta is a simple and easy dish to make, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you make it even better. Here are some of them:
Use Quality Ingredients
The quality of your ingredients can make a big difference in the taste and texture of your footprints rasta pasta. Use fresh chicken breasts, cheese, bell peppers, garlic, and green onion for the best results. Also, use good quality jerk seasoning that has a lot of flavor and heat. You can make your own jerk seasoning or buy it online from reputable sources.
Vary the Protein and Vegetables
If you want to change things up a bit, you can vary the protein and vegetables in your footprints rasta pasta. Instead of chicken, you can use shrimp, beef, pork, tofu, or tempeh. Instead of bell peppers, you can use zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, or kale. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Add Some Extra Heat
If you like your footprints rasta pasta extra spicy, you can add some extra heat to it. You can increase the amount of jerk seasoning, add some chopped scotch bonnet peppers or jalapeños, or drizzle some hot sauce over your dish. Be careful not to overdo it though, as you don’t want to overpower the other flavors.
Make It Ahead of Time
If you want to save some time and make your footprints rasta pasta ahead of time, you can do so easily. You can cook the chicken and bell peppers ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also cook the pasta ahead of