Jamaican Jerk Rub

Every year for Christmas, I like to give something I made to my friends.  It's fun for me to do all the 'making' and it lets them know that I care enough about them to spend my time and energy to make something, instead of just buying something at the store.

Plus, it's yummy stuff, and who doesn't like to get yummy stuff given to them?

One of the things I gave out last year was Jamaican Jerk Rub.  This is the basic recipe (will fill one spice shaker), and you can multiply it for as large of a batch as you want.  I am pretty sure I made a 5x bigger batch last year.

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Single Recipe:
1 TBS onion powder
1 TBS packed brown sugar
1 TBS dried thyme, crushed
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients together until blended well with no lumps.  Store in a jar with a lid in a cool dry place for 6 months to one year.  To use, rub seasoning into meat before cooking.  For best flavor, let flavors soak into the meat for an hour before cooking.


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Also, if you want to do things like this for Christmas presents, save your empty spice containers through out the year.  I have a box under my sink, and when I empty one, I take it apart and wash it and throw it in the box.  After I fill it with spice rub, I cut a piece of pretty wrapping paper the size of jar and use some rubber cement to secure it.  Tie some ribbon around the top of the jar and use scissors to curl it.

Voila!!