Award Winning Chef : Jamaica’s Ajeen Beckford Grilled Ochie Stea

🏆👨‍🍳 Award Winning Chef: Jamaica’s Ajeen Beckford Grilled Ochie Steak 🇯🇲🍖

Grilled Ochie Steak, a delicious and flavorful Jamaican dish, is the brainchild of the renowned chef Ajeen Beckford, who has earned numerous accolades for his culinary expertise. This dish is a fusion of traditional Jamaican flavors and modern grilling techniques. Let’s delve into its history, components, preparation steps, and estimated preparation time.

📜 History:
Grilled Ochie Steak is a contemporary Jamaican dish that pays homage to the island’s rich culinary heritage. Ajeen Beckford, known for his creative flair, developed this dish as a way to reinvent classic Jamaican flavors and showcase them in a new light. It’s a celebration of the island’s love for jerk spices and fresh ingredients, prepared using modern grilling methods to create a unique gastronomic experience.

🍽️ Components:

1. Steak: The heart of this dish is a high-quality, thick-cut steak. Popular choices include ribeye or sirloin. The steak should be well-marbled for a juicy and tender result.

2. Ochie Marinade: The Ochie marinade is the key to this dish. It typically includes a blend of traditional Jamaican jerk spices, such as scallion, thyme, allspice (pimento), garlic, and Scotch bonnet peppers, combined with olive oil, soy sauce, and a touch of honey for balance.

3. Side Dishes: Grilled Ochie Steak is often served with traditional Jamaican side dishes like rice and peas, fried plantains, and a fresh vegetable salad.

👩‍🍳 Preparation Steps:

1. Marination: Begin by preparing the Ochie marinade. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Make sure to wear gloves when handling Scotch bonnet peppers, as they can be extremely spicy.

2. Marinate the Steak: Place the steak in a shallow dish and generously coat it with the Ochie marinade. Massage the marinade into the meat, ensuring it’s well-covered. Allow the steak to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure it’s clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

4. Grilling: Remove the steak from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Grill the steak to your desired level of doneness, turning it occasionally for even cooking. A general guideline for medium-rare is about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak.

5. Resting: Once cooked, transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier steak.

6. Serving: Slice the Grilled Ochie Steak against the grain into thin strips. Serve it with your choice of traditional Jamaican sides and garnish with fresh herbs or lime wedges.

⏲️ Preparation Time:
The total preparation time for Grilled Ochie Steak can vary, but it typically takes around 15 minutes for marination and 10-15 minutes for grilling. So, in total, you can have this delightful dish ready in approximately 25-30 minutes, excluding the marination time.

Grilled Ochie Steak is a mouthwatering dish that beautifully blends Jamaican flavors with a modern twist. It’s a true showcase of Ajeen Beckford’s culinary expertise and a delightful addition to the world of gourmet cuisine. Enjoy this Jamaican masterpiece with friends and family, and savor the rich and spicy flavors of the Caribbean! 🇯🇲🍽️🌶️

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Grilled Ochie Steak:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per 3-ounce serving of cooked steak):

• Calories: 230-250
• Protein: 25-30 grams
• Total Fat: 14-17 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 4-6 grams
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 6-8 grams
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2-3 grams
• Cholesterol: 75-90 milligrams
• Sodium: 300-400 milligrams
• Carbohydrates: 1-2 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugars: 1-2 grams
• Iron: 2-3 milligrams (about 15-20% of the daily recommended intake)
• Vitamin C: 5-10 milligrams (about 10-15% of the daily recommended intake)

Health Information:

• Protein: The steak is a good source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and overall body function.

• Fat: The steak contains both saturated and unsaturated fats. While saturated fat should be consumed in moderation, the unsaturated fats in the olive oil used in the marinade are heart-healthy.

• Cholesterol: Steak is a source of dietary cholesterol. It’s advisable to consume it in moderation, especially if you have cholesterol-related health concerns.

• Sodium: The sodium content can vary based on the amount of soy sauce and salt used in the marinade. Excess sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, so it’s important to be mindful of this.

• Carbohydrates: Grilled Ochie Steak is very low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.

• Iron: Red meat like steak is a good source of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body and important for preventing iron-deficiency anemia.

• Vitamin C: The Scotch bonnet peppers in the marinade contribute some vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and supports immune function.

It’s worth noting that the overall nutritional profile can vary based on factors like the type of steak used and the specific ingredients in the marinade. Additionally, the side dishes you choose to serve with the steak will also contribute to the meal’s overall nutrition.

For a healthier option, you can opt for leaner cuts of steak and consider reducing the amount of sodium in the marinade to better suit your dietary preferences and restrictions. Enjoy this dish in moderation as part of a balanced diet.