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Appetites and Adventures

Healthy Caribbean-Inspired Dishes

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I’m on the way to San Diego with Vegas.

Warm, sunny weather is so close I can almost taste it!

Meanwhile, I thought I’d entertain you tropical weather foods.  How about The Caribbean?  Even if you are snowed in on the East coast, you can create a faux taste of paradise at home!  Here are a few ideas.

Stay lean

It’s time to put aside any objections to eating goat.  It sounds strange, but it’s delicious.  Goat is a lean meat that’s is good for your healthy and your heart.  Slow cooked in strong spices to tenderize the meat, goat curry is a delicious Jamaican treat!

Goat Curry

Bean there, done that

Beans are often used in Caribbean cooking as accompaniments to rice or stews.  Kidney beans are a good source of protein, which, according to experts, can help you stay full longer.

Get the barbecue going

Barbecuing is one of the most popular cooking methods in the Caribbean and it’s a far healthier option than frying things in oil. To get the most out of your meat, marinate it first.  For a healthy and versatile marinade, combine the juice of a lime with a pinch of grated ginger, mix in a Scotch bonnet chili (did you know there are sweet varieties), and some olive or coconut oil.  Top it all off with a little Caribbean hot sauce.  It’s just as good on lean meats or tuna as it is when used with tropical fruits.

Tuna Steaks

Surrender to the power of the pineapple

The pineapple is synonymous with the Caribbean.  Drizzle with honey and some ground cinnamon before placing it under the grill, and you have a healthy and delicious dessert.  Crème fraiche or rum are optional (but recommended) extras…

Beware the coconut milk

Coconut milk might help to give your Caribbean inspired dish that all important creamy flavor, but it’s also pretty high in calories.  Remember that, although full-fat coconut milk is tasty, it is still high in fat.  Use it on moderation or try a low-fat version.  You can even make your own by grating a coconut and blending it with water.  Strain to remove the pulp and add to whatever dish you crave!

Sweet talk

Sweet potatoes are an excellent and versatile option for side dishes.  They work well in sweet or savory forms!  It’s almost easy to forget how good for you they are – they’re full of vitamins and a source of natural sugars, which can help balance your blood sugar.

For extra inspiration, treat yourself to a trip there and get a taste for the local fare first-hand!

Images by Yandle and Alpha, used under the Creative Commons license.

***

I’m craving come combo of sautéed pineapple and sweet potatoes in coconut milk and rum?  Sounds marvelous…

Don’t you love a play on words? 😉

Have you ever been to the Caribbean?

Comments

  2. Safe travels to CA! I can almost feel the warmth…maybe because I’m cuddled up to the heater right about now. Grilled, satueed or warmed up pineapple is just unbelievable. And rum. So good!

  3. Ah good luck with the move, Laura! Not sure if you already talked about it but will you be able to continue working for the same company from CA?

    Never been to Caribbean but you making me want to go just for the food- er YUM!

    • I will for a bit. I’m going to do some freelance/contract stuff and try to do more online training. *fingers crossed*

  6. I adore Caribbean food. Living in Jamaica definitely stoked that love flame. I die for good, traditional jerk chicken, and I even like goat curry! But don’t get me started on mackerel cakes or their version of plantains. I’ll pass on that. Save drive and good luck!

  7. I think I never tried caribbean food. While I say YESSSSSS to beans, pineapple, BBQ, sweet potatoes and coconut milk I can’t quite bring myself to try goat. Maybe bacause I hate goat cheese and goat milk. I mentally associate the taste of a goat’s stable with any goat products.

    • Hahaha – I get it. But I swear to you the meat is totally different from cheese. 😉

  12. Goat meat..wow I had no idea it was a lean meat, I literally just googled Goat meat in Bangkok Thailand and I think it is possible to find! I am so sick of chicken and don’t eat pork so trying to find other lean meats, thank you so much for sharing this post! Lots of love xo C

    • I can’t find it here, but can you get kangaroo? Apparently that’s a really good lean meat!

  13. I surrender to pineapples all the time lol. They are just that darn good. I love this post. And don’t tempt me with a vacation thought… I already know I need one lol.

  14. wow all of these foods are my jam. i actually like goat but haven’t had it in quite a while. backin the day i used to go to these little indian dive restaurants with my mom’s group of foodie friends and they always had goat curry on the buffet. i loved it! but admit i have not prepared it myself. i have cooked lamb and love it, but goat is special. now i’m craving it. and i’m always down with anything coconut… coconut anything and i’m all about it! i add coconut cream or milk to all foods. i will make stuff into a sauce just to add coconut something. it’s a possible problem but i’m ok with it.
    and yes to spice, and BBQ. i’m cooking thai curry per my hubby’s request tonight but now seriously want to turn it into carribean fare. maybe i will! i basically cook Indian or Thai food every day. why have i not discovered carribean??? what have i been missing? can’t wait to find out and explore. thank ya 😀

  16. Ahh, the Caribbean! I have been there twice, I believe. I love all of the sunshine :). Jimmy and I always fight over how to pronounce it, haha.

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