Jerk Chicken and Coconut Shrimp

Jerk Chicken with Avocado, and Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Black Bean Salad and Mango Sauce

Okay, tonight's meal sounds complex but it's really pretty easy, you just have to keep a handle on your timing and ingredients. This can be done inside or outside, and I'll be sure to give notes regarding whether you are broiling, grilling, etc.

I am often taken with presentation of my food, and while it is not always a big deal, I do like to make a nice dish of things in terms of colors and proportions, not to mention flavors and textures.

INGREDIENTS

2 Chicken Breasts
1/2 lb. shrimp, peeled and de-veined
Jerk Seasoning (see below)
Black Bean Salad (see below)
Mango Salad (see below)
1 mango
1 avocado
1.5 cups peanut oil (for frying)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (for garnish)
1 large bottle cold white wine

-Pour glass of wine, refilling as needed. Chop herbs. Pour peanut oil in skillet or pan, heat to medium-high heat. Then, prepare the following ....

Jerk Rub
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
4 teaspoons crushed dry thyme leaves
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

-This makes enough for you to keep and use for awhile. Using off-the-shelf herbs is fine, though if you have them fresh, all the better. Mix everything together in a bowl, and place in a seal-able plastic bag or covered spice jar. Rub onto both sides of the chicken, leaving the skin ON. Heat convection or traditional oven to broil temp ... OR, if grilling, heat up to high heat .... get ready to add chicken when told ....

Black Bean Salad
1 tbsp olive oil
1 can black beans
2 green onions
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup cilantro
1 lime (for juice and zest)
1 banana pepper, chopped
1/4 avocado, chopped

-Place olive oil in a skillet, heat to medium. Add garlic and whites of onion. Saute until soft (use a WOODEN spoon, MF!), then add beans, banana pepper, 2 tbsp lime juice and lime zest until cooked down. Remove from heat, add remaining lime juice, green onion tops (green parts), 2 tbsp cilantro. Reduce heat and keep warm ... just before serving salad, the 1/4 chopped avocado will be placed on top.

Shrimp Batter
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tbsp sea salt
1/2 tbsp black pepper
1-1.5 cups dry white wine

-Combine all ingredients except wine in a bowl. Mix well, then add wine. Mix again, then add shrimp. Toss to coat. If batter is too thick, add more wine. Get ready to fry them when instructed ...

Mango Sauce
1 mango, pureed
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/4 orange juice
Dash crushed red pepper

-Combine ingredients in a bowl, stirring together. Adjust ingredients further to taste. Reserve for finished shrimp.
- Place chicken into broiler or onto grill. If the former, let cook 9-12 minutes or until juices are clear. If the latter, grill 4 minutes on sear per side with hood up, flipping for grill marks (for a total of 16 minutes).
- Chop 1/4 avocado into cubes to top black bean salad, then chop remaining 3/4 into slices to garnish chicken.
- In skillet with peanut cooking oil, begin to add coated shrimp (5-7 per batch), frying for 5 minutes or so until golden brown. Place atop a paper towel on a plate as they finish.

- As shrimp finish, check on chicken ... it should be about done ... when there, remove from heat. Place finished breast on a plate with avocado slices around. Add parsley garnish. In two ramekins, place black bean salad (in one) and mango sauce (in other) ... then, place shrimp on a small plate with sauce ramekins .... serve alongside jerk chicken ... and another glass of white wine.

Tonight's music: Steely Dan Katy Lied and Wilco: The Album















TECH TIP: Ever need to record what you are doing on your computer screen? There is an EASY way to do it .... go to:

http://www.screencastomatic.com

This application runs in your web browser. Use the built-in screen recorder to create a screencast of whatever you do on your computer, no matter what the platform. Bear in mind that it records about 2 frames per second, which is great for applications and desktop stuff, but not great for video ...

... for instructional, demonstration and education purposes, this is a really useful technology ...