Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

We’re in Florida and I’ve been craving some island-y, tropical meals. Last night, we decided to spice it up! Here’s a recipe for a jerk chicken with a pineapple avocado salsa that was so flavorful and delicious. I served this with coconut brown rice - my new favorite. Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

For the Jerk Chicken:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 limes, zested and juiced

• 2 tsp paprika

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 2 tsp cumin

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp allspice

For the Pineapple Salsa:

• I cup finely diced fresh pineapple

• 1 avocado, cubed

• 1 lime, juiced

• ¼ red onion, finely diced

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• In a baking dish, bowl, or ziplock bag, combine all marinade ingredients with the chicken. Marinade for at least an hour. 

• 30 minutes before grilling, remove the chicken from the refrigerator so that it comes to room temperature.

• Preheat the grill to medium high. Once hot, cook the chicken for about 5-8 minutes per side (depending on thickness). Remove from the grill when the internal temperature of the chicken is 160-165°F. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

• While chicken rests, combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl.

• Serve the chicken with a heaping amount of salsa on top!

Pea and Cilantro Puree

We’ve been getting a fair amount of cilantro in our farm boxes lately and I’m sometimes unsure of how to use a whole bunch. This pea cilantro puree has been the perfect solution! It adds a beautiful green burst to your plate and looks elegant when served with fish or meats. This puree takes almost no time to make, yet it adds so much incredible flavor and brightens up any dish!

I love to use fresh herbs as a garnish, but I also know that herbs are nutritional powerhouses and so I try to get creative and let them have the spotlight when I can.

Ingredients:

(serves 2-4)

• 1 cup of cooked peas

• 1 bunch cilantro 

• 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

• Juice from 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until the consistency of your preference (I like mine a little textured).

Health Benefits of Cilantro:

• Cilantro helps our body to detox. It contains compounds that bind together heavy metals, which we then eliminate.

• The high levels of antioxidants in cilantro help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in our bodies.

• This herb has been shown to reduce anxiety levels and improve sleep quality.

• Cilantro aids in digestion by producing digestive enzymes, and it can also be used to settle upset stomachs and reduce bloating.

Sources and Additional Information:

• https://aspenintegrativemedicine.com/12-cilantro-benefits-nutrition-recipes/

• https://www.totalhealthinstitute.com/health-benefits-of-cilantro/

• https://draxe.com/nutrition/cilantro-benefits/

Cilantro Lime Avocado Vinaigrette

This dressing is a great way to spice up a salad or quinoa/rice bowl!

Ingredients

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, washed and dried and stems removed

• 1 garlic clove, smashed and roughly chopped

• Zest from one lime

• Juice from 2 limes

• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 avocado, diced

• 2 tbsp water

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth

Cucumber, Red Pepper, Corn and Black Bean Salad

This refreshing salad is the perfect side dish in the summer. It’s refreshing and bursting with flavor. Sometimes I will serve this salad with some olive oil, fresh squeezed lime juice, and sea salt, but if I have the time and ingredients, I will serve it with this zesty and bright cilantro lime vinaigrette. The avocado adds creaminess and rounds out the flavors. A tip: when chopping the cucumber and red pepper, try dicing them so that all components of the salad are about the same size.

served here with fresh lime juice, olive oil, and sea salt

Ingredients: (serves 4-6 as a side)

• 3 medium cucumber, diced

• 2 red peppers, diced

• 2 cups organic corn (fresh or frozen)

• 1 15 oz can drained and rinsed black beans

• ¼ red onion - finely diced

For the vinaigrette:

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, washed and dried and stems removed

• 1 garlic clove, smashed and roughly chopped

• Zest from one lime

• Juice from 2 limes

• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 avocado, diced

• 2 tbsp water

Directions:

• Cook the corn in boiling water for about 3 minutes. Then drain and let cool.

• Combine cucumber, red peppers, corn, black beans, and red onion in a large bowl. Set aside.

• In a blender, combine all ingredients for the vinaigrette. Blend until smooth, adding water, olive oil, and/or more lime juice if needed to thin it out. Taste and adjust seasonings.

• Pour vinaigrette over vegetables, toss, and serve.

Storing herbs in water helps keep them fresh!

Make extra dressing to spice up your salads!