It goes without saying that leftovers can get stale and boring. In our new show Freshedovers, cooking expert Aida Mollenkamp demonstrates how to give your leftovers a much-needed makeover, starting with shredded roast chicken, which she transforms into a citrusy, bold Jamaican jerk chicken salad. Keep watching to find out how to give your chicken a Freshedover, then get the recipe.
Bored by the basic all-American burger? Take a trip to the Caribbean with this innovative recipe.
The beef patty is seasoned with jerk sauce and bread crumbs. Instead of the typical tomato, lettuce, and pickle condiments, the burger is topped with a quick mango, pepper, and ginger salsa. A ciabatta roll replaces the bun and Monterey Jack cheese finishes off the scrumptious burger.
Throw in plantain chips and a daiquiri and you've got a meal that's ideal for impromptu entertaining. To kick-start your weekend with this dish, read more
I can almost feel the warm sand in this picture — though one criminal phenomenon is making the sand in the Caribbean "hot" as in stolen. On islands like Puerto Rico, Grenada, and St. Kitts among many others, thieves are actually stealing sand off the beaches for money.
Why the sand swiping? The building surge requires sand and enterprising criminals are reselling it to constructions companies. The sand is in high demand because it is used in cement, which many homeowners are turning to instead of the traditional wood. Despite not having a patch to put your beach towel on, the ecological problems of the theft are beginning to cause concern.
How much sand are we talking? It's no drop in the bucket. To see how much and the effect, read more
Think your family meddles in your love life? What if President Bush was the one telling you who to marry? (Ow, my ears! I can hear your howls from here.) That's kind of the case for an ancient Caribbean tribe, the Kalinago. To prevent the disappearance of their culture, Chief Charles Williams of the Dominica-based tribe said members should not marry non-Kalinago people.
He said of the proposition, "The impact of colonization has been so strong on us that if we do not take steps to protect the race, it will be soon extinct." If they follow his plan, in an island of 70,000 people, the dating pool is limited to 3,000 tribal members. Want to know who seems to be the blame? According to the Kalinago cultural queen, "Well, for some people this is a ticklish issue. She thinks the Kalinago women are the cause of the shrinking population. She says, "You go out there, you see a nice white guy and you fall in love," cautioning, "you have to stick to your people, you have to stick to your traditions and that's the only way."
To see what the Kalinago young women think about the plan, read more
During Summer, kabobs are ideal for quick, simple dinners. While you can load the skewers with any proteins or vegetables, this recipe takes inspiration from the Caribbean. Chicken chunks are seasoned with jerk before being layered with bell peppers, red onions, and pineapples. The sweet, fresh fruit counteracts the spicy seasoning. To get the uncomplicated recipe, read more
Why not start the weekend with a spicy, fragrant chicken? This chicken is rubbed with a mixture of spices typical to Jerk seasoning: paprika, allspice, cayenne, and garlic powder. Although the recipe roasts the chicken in the oven, it would be equally delicious cooked on a grill. The corn bread accompaniment is simply a jazzed-up box variation. Paired with an icy cold beer, this makes a delicious dinner. Get the recipe now and read more
Recently I visited Costa Rica. One of my first stops was a local farmers market set up in a small plaza in the town of Quepos. It was a bustling place with a variety of stands: fruit, flowers, vegetables and makeshift restaurants serving local fare. Amongst many known fruits and vegetables were plenty foreign and exotic variations — all a must try. My two new favorites were the mammones and guaba. To meet all the fruits of Costa Rica, just hit the "Start" button.
When you're stuck in a middle-of-the-work-week rut, a great way to spice things up is through food. While this exotic meal may sound difficult to make — the ingredients are a bit unusual — the cooking techniques are simple and ordinary. Plantains are sautéed with onions, bell pepper, and garlic before being tossed with chunks of pork tenderloin. The final dish is mouth watering, exciting, and complex. To look at the recipe — I discovered it on MyRecipes.com — read more
Somehow, I always forget that I'm a huge fan of chicken wings. They're simple to fix up, and are small enough that you don't feel like you're eating a lot — even after you've chowed down an entire platter. They also make perfect party food, and go great with the fall sporting season. You can do them in the oven, but why not make the most out of the last few weeks of summer by throwing them on the barbecue. To check out a great recipe for grilled jerk chicken wings, read more
