YumSugar

Fast & Easy Dinner: Jamaican Pork With Melon

partysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:45 -0700

While I've had the classic pairing of pork and apples, and the more unconventional combination of pork and peaches, I've yet to try pork with melons. However, this enticing recipe brings the two ingredients together expertly with Jamaican jerk seasoning and honey.

One can only imagine that the spices provide a nice heat and the honey adds a subtle sweetness. Serving this meal on skewers appeals to children and makes it fun to eat, so get the recipe when you read more.

Jamaican Pork With Melon
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1-1/2 pound boneless pork tenderloin, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
2 small red onions, quartered lengthwise
2 tablespoons roasted peanut oil or peanut oil
4 teaspoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
1/4 of a small honeydew melon, cut into 2-inch cubes
1/2 of a small cantaloupe, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Toss pork cubes and onion with oil and jerk seasoning in a medium mixing bowl until evenly coated. Thread eight 12-inch skewers alternately with pork, onion, honeydew, and cantaloupe pieces.
Place pork skewers on the lightly oiled of the grill directly over medium heat.
Grill for 18 to 24 minutes or until pork is cooked through and no pink remains. Remove from grill; brush with honey.

Serves 4.

Print recipe with images | without images

Fast & Easy Dinner: Jerk Burgers With Mango Salsa

partysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:45:10 -0700

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.

Jerk Burgers With Mango Salsa
From The Nest

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 medium mango, seeded, peeled, and chopped
1/4 cup apple jelly
1 tablespoon lime juice
Dash salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup bottled jerk sauce
1/4 fine dry bread crumbs
1 pound lean ground beef
4 ciabatta rolls or hamburger buns, split
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces)

Directions

For salsa, in a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add peppers, onion, and ginger; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add mango, jelly, lime juice, and salt; cook and stir until jelly melts. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine egg, 1/4 cup of the jerk sauce, and the bread crumbs. Add ground beef; mix well. Using hands, shape mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.
For a charcoal grill, place patties on the grill rack directly over medium coals. Grill, uncovered, for 10 to 13 minutes or until done (160°F), turning and brushing once with the remaining jerk sauce halfway through grilling. If desired, toast ciabatta rolls on the grill. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place patties, then ciabatta rolls, if desired, on gas grill over heat. Cover and grill as above.)
Divide cheese among bottoms of rolls. Serve burgers in rolls with some of the salsa. Serve remaining salsa on the side.

Makes 4 burgers.

Per Burger: 808 cal., 50 g fat (20 sat. fat), 167 mg chol., 740 mg sodium, 60 g carbo., 3 g fiber, 31 g pro.

Print recipe with images | without images

Sunday BBQ: Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings

YumSugar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 01:38:11 -0700

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

Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings
From Taste of Home's Simple and Delicious

1/2 cup Caribbean jerk seasoning
18 fresh chicken wingettes (2 to 3 pounds)
2 cups honey barbecue sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Yield: 6 servings.

Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill.
Place jerk seasoning in a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken wings, a few at a time, and shake to coat.
In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard and ginger; set aside.
Grill chicken wings, covered, over medium heat for 12-16 minutes, turning occasionally.
Brush with sauce.
Grill, uncovered, 8-10 minutes longer or until juices run clear, basting and turning several times.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (3 each) equals 548 calories, 24 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 113 mg cholesterol, 2,217 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 28 g protein.

Print recipe with images | without images

Definition: Jerk Seasoning

partysugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:03:10 -0700

Jerk Seasoning
A type of dry seasoning that is native to the Caribbean. It's primarily used in preparing meat - most commonly pork and chicken - for grilling. Although the ingredients can vary, it generally consists of chilies, thyme, spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves), garlic, and onions. The seasoning can be directly applied to the meat or mixed with a liquid to create a marinade.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Caribbean Chicken Kabobs

partysugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:45:40 -0700

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.

Caribbean Chicken Kabobs
From Betty Crocker

Ingredients

1 3/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons Caribbean jerk seasoning (dry)
1 small pineapple, rind removed and pineapple cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.
Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Place chicken and jerk seasoning in resealable plastic food-storage bag. Shake bag to coat chicken with seasoning.
Thread chicken, pineapple, bell pepper and onion alternately on each of eight 12-inch metal skewers, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. Brush kabobs with remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
Cover and grill kabobs over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images

It's Out of Hell and Back to His Day Job for Ben

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:45:53 -0700

Ben was this week's booted contestant on Hell's Kitchen. When the season started, I honestly liked him and was hoping he would go a long way. However as the competition heated up, Ben's bullying, bickering attitude started to wear on the other chefs, Gordon Ramsay, and the viewing audience. Yesterday I had an interesting telephone conversation with the electrician - he's currently not cooking professionally in any way, shape, or form - to see what he had to say, read more.

PartySugar: How did it feel to be eliminated?
Ben: I don't know. That's sort of an odd question. I'm not down about it. I mean I hate that I got eliminated so early in the game and I hate that I went out the way I did.

PS: Is Gordon really as big of a jerk as he seems?
Ben: He is, yeah. I got nothing from him. He was nothing but a jerk to me, you know he's an animal.

PS: How did it feel to be booted before Matt?
Ben: It was all in the producers' decision. I don't feel bad about it. I think it's too bad I went out but I'm not the only one who screwed up. You know, we all screwed up.

PS: How come you always found a team member to pick on? First it was Craig, then it was Matt, and after him it was Louross. Are you a bully?
Ben: No, I'm not a bully. They really honestly seemed like they came from the IHOP or something. I didn't see any strong cooking abilities in any of the contestants. I was crammed into these small living quarters with people I didn't like, people I didn't want to be with, so naturally I am going to do everything I can to get them off the show.

PS: Who are you rooting for?
Ben: I'm rooting for Bobby. He's been one of the better ones the entire show. I really got along with Bobby, we weren't acting stupid. Between Matt, Jason, Craig, and gay ass Louross, he was the only one I identified with and who could actually cook.

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Shayna Leaves Hell and Returns Home to Baby

partysugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:45:04 -0700

On Hell's Kitchen this week, Ramsay asked new mother - were you surprised her recently born baby wasn't mentioned until this episode? - Shayna to hang up her chef's coat and leave the kitchen. Although Rosann, screwed up an important steak order, I knew Shayna was going home based on the editing. In previous episodes, she was rarely a featured character. Yesterday I spoke with Shayna over the phone - to find out what she's up to and what she thinks of Ramsay, read more.

PartySugar: How did it feel to be eliminated?
Shayna: I was a little saddened and very shocked. I really thought Rosann was going to be sent home.

PS: Is Gordon really as big of a jerk as he seems?
Shayna: I've often said he's a big pussycat. He is one person in the kitchen but when you take that person out of the kitchen he's kind. He's a good human being. But working with him was kind of like going to boot camp. You have to break someone down in order to build them up. When he called my name [to be sent home] he said I had a great heart and called me darling. He was very polite. He said I was a good cook and that is what I am going to remember.

PS: What was it like working in the kitchen? Did you ever really feel like you were in Hell?
Shayna: I looked at it like it was a job. I was there to work as a cook. It was stressful, hot, and crazy but that is what a real, professional kitchen is like.

PS: What made you decide to leave your 3 month old baby at home and be on the show?
Shayna: I've always wanted to be on the show, since it was conceived. I wanted to be on it since I saw the first episode of the first season. I applied for season 3 but then I got pregnant. When season 4 came around, it was very difficult. It wasn't a decision that I took lightly. But I knew my baby would have the utmost care from my husband and family.

PS: What have you been up to? What is next for Shayna?
Shayna: Well I have a catering company here in Buffalo called Bohemian Hostess Catering - it's very hippie chic - and we are opening our first cafe. It's a lot of fun, the cafe is called Steel Crazy Cafe.

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Jerk Chicken With Corn Bread

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:30:19 -0700

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.

Jerk Chicken With Corn Bread
From Real Simple magazine

Ingredients

2 bunches scallions, trimmed
2 tablespoons paprika
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 tablespoons molasses
1 4-pound chicken, cut into pieces
1 8.5-ounce box corn muffin mix
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 400° F.
Thinly slice the dark green tips of 4 scallions; set aside. Place the remaining scallions in a roasting pan.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, black pepper, oil, lime juice, and molasses. Spread the spice mixture over and under the chicken skin. Place the chicken on top of the scallions. Roast until the chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the corn muffin mix according to the package directions. Stir in the jalapeno and reserved sliced scallions and scrape the batter into a greased 8-inch-square pan. Place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve the chicken with the roasted scallions, corn bread, and lime wedges, if desired.

Serves 4.

NUTRITION PER SERVING: CALORIES 893.44(43% from fat); FAT 42.81g (sat 11.03g); CHOLESTEROL 238.97mg; CALCIUM 147.84mg; CARBOHYDRATE 59.78g; SODIUM 1141.23mg; PROTEIN 66.01mg; FIBER 7.47g; IRON 7.59mg

Print recipe with images | without images

Out of Hell: Sharon the Barbie Sent Home

partysugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:55:15 -0700

Sharon - who was affectionately called Barbie by her fellow Hell's Kitchen contestants - was this week's eliminated chef. It was a "first time in Hell's Kitchen history" moment when Ramsay kicked Sharon to the curb because she was not up for elimination. Two other girls - Jen and Christina - were on the chopping block, but since Gordon didn't believe in Sharon or her culinary skills, she was the lucky one sent home. To see what Sharon has to say about her time in Hell's Kitchen, read more.

PartySugar: How did it feel to be eliminated when you weren’t up for elimination? What was it like when Gordon said he didn’t believe in you?
Sharon: I was totally shocked. It felt horrible. My heart just dropped to the floor. I felt like the whole time I was there - just because I wore makeup - he didn't trust me.

PS: Is Gordon really as big of a jerk as he seems?
Sharon: In my opinion, yes. Jesus Christ, when he made that comment about my makeup while we were digging out of the trash, I didn't even have any make up on! We woke up really early in the morning and I didn't have time to put any on. After he said that about Hannibal Lector, I will never stick my tongue out again.

PS: What was it like working in the kitchen? Did you ever really feel like you were in Hell?
Sharon: Yeah, absolutely. It was like boot camp. You're not getting enough sleep, you're not eating healthy, you're working 20 hours a day. It was really hard.

PS: Who are you rooting for?
Sharon: I'm rooting for Louross. I think he's a great cook. He's the only one I would really talk to in the house. Nobody really had any relationships with any of the others. Especially the girls. In all honesty, none of us got along great, none of us liked each other.

PS: Any tips for those applying for Season 5?
Sharon: Be aware of what you are getting into. Those people who don't think we know how to cook should try out. You have to know how to cook and it's really hard. Study your risotto!

Photos courtesy of Fox.

Hell's Kitchen - 3.8 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:03:37 -0700

This week we found our favorite chefs of Hell's Kitchen narrowed down to the last five: Bonnie, Jen, Julia, Rock, and Josh. Before things get boiling, Ramsay tells the cheftestants they will no longer be working in separate teams, boys vs. girls. Instead, the five will cook, clean, and cooperate as one big happy family. Bickering and bitching abounds, Ramsay loses it (surprise, surprise), and Bonnie has her best night ever. For all this and more - including what happens when the chefs feed some of L.A's most prominent trendsetters - read more

In the day's first challenge, the final five must feed trendsetters. Blindfolded, they are driven to an off-site location where they will find the, "people with their fingers on the pulse." Although they are expecting celebrities, the chefs find themselves in the middle of a high school cafeteria. Given an hour to prepare a school lunch for 100 high school kids, the chefs - who are working individually against one another - get down to business. Rock makes Kobe beef meatloaf sandwiches, Josh does a baked salmon, Julia whips up grilled cheeses and onion rings, Bonnie tosses a salad with fried goat cheese, and Jen boils up a chicken and pasta dish. The chefs personally serve their lunches and chummily chat up the students. With over 51% of the student votes, the wining prize of a ~~romantic~~ glamourous getaway to Las Vegas with Ramsay, goes to Julia who picks Jen as her escort to Vegas. The gals are whisked off, champagne in hands, to board Ramsay's private jet. The losing three are left to vacuum, clean, and iron the linens of the Hell's Kitchen dining room.

In Vegas, Julia and Jen are given the royal treatment: lux suite, Cristal champagne, spa treatments, and lunch with last season's HK winner Heather West. Back at the chopping block, for the first time in Hell's Kitchen history, the men and the women have to work together. Rock overcooks the scallops and Josh jumps the gun by preparing both risotto and spaghetti before anyone has even ordered it. Julia screws up her garnishes and is overall not on. Several of Josh's risottos get sent back for being undercooked and Ramsay violently kicks Josh out of the kitchen and off the show.

The four are left to finish the service. Julia fumbles, Bonnie takes the lead, Jen perfectly seasons Josh's risottos, and Rock throws an immature temper tantrum when the girls push him into cooperating. After much arguing between Rock (could Rock be any more of a complete jerk???) and Jen, the dinner service is finally over. Bonnie is chosen to select two of her teammates for elimination. She picks Rock (for being such an asshole) and Julia (for falling off her game). Ramsay says it's the hardest decision he has made so far and with a huge hug, asks Julia to hang up her chef's coat. For all of her potential, improvement, and hard work, he awards her a full ride to culinary school along with job placement aid when she graduates - who would have thought Ramsay was such a nice guy???
Oh that Ramsay, isn't he just full of surprises? And insults? Here are my top five Ramsayisms from last night:

Open wide Josh, you do have a talent, you can catch champagne!
Ladies, you didn't think we were going to be traveling commercial, did you?
We've opened, we haven't served anything yet but we've lost money! What a f**king doughnut.
Even my mom cooks spaghetti seven minutes before she wants it... We cook spaghetti to order, even the f**king dirtiest, scummiest Italian restaurant in Venice Beach cooks spaghetti to order!
Oh my god almighty! Come here you, what the fuck are you doing? You stand there and you screw me. You are f**king useless, get out! Get out! *throws spoon at Josh's head*

Finally a few things to think about until we meet Ramsay & Co again: Wasn't it cute how they got so excited about getting new chefs jackets? Wasn't it obvious that Julia was going to win the high school food challenge? I mean kids don't want food their parents will make them! Baked salmon? Chicken & pasta? Hello! Obviously the high schoolers are going to like the onion rings the best, come on!

Image Source