Step 1 of 8

Blend the jerk marinade

Blend the scallions, ginger, 3 garlic cloves, onion, chilies, thyme, lime juice, soy sauce, oil, brown sugar, allspice and 1 tsp of salt in a food processor to a thick paste. Taste it — it should be bold and salty; add more chili for heat or more sugar to balance.

— If the processor struggles to blend, stop and stir before trying again. Don't add water — the paste should be thick.