Caribbean Supper

I've started taping the recipe show Best Recipes Ever each day, and I really like the simple, quick menus that they show. This week they had a Caribbean-inspired meal that looked delicious and so easy to make, so I whipped it up tonight for supper. Here are the recipes:

JERK PORKCHOPS (I made a larger batch, and changed up the spices slightly)

8 bone-in porkchops

4 tbsp. soy sauce

4 tbsp. orange juice

4 tbsp. olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

6 green onions, finely chopped

4 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (or allspice or Jamaican Jerk Seasoning)

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix together soy sauce, orange juice, oil, garlic, green onions, and spices. Lay porkchops in a glass baking dish. Rub spice mixture into porkchops and pour excess sauce overtop. Marinate for a couple hours if you have time, then transfer to a grill pan or roasting pan. Bake at 375 F for 7-9 minutes per side.

PEAS, PEPPERS & RICE
1 tbsp. oil

1 onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

3/4 c. rice

1 1/2 c. vegetable stock

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

salt & pepper

1 c. frozen peas

Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until soft, then add bell pepper and rice, stirring to coat the rice with oil. Add remaining ingredients (except peas) and bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add peas and fluff with a fork. Keep the lid on for a few minutes to let the peas thaw before serving.

GRILLED PINEAPPLE (This recipe came from my friend Kimberly)

1 pineapple, peeled and cut into 1/2" slices (you can core it if you like, but I left it whole)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. lemon juice (or use all lime or all lemon juice)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat grill (I used an indoor grill, but you could do them on the bbq.) Combine brown sugar, juices, and cinnamon and brush over one side of the pineapple slices. Lay that side down on the hot grill and brush the other side with more of the sugar mixture while they are grilling. Grill for 5 min. per side. Can be served with rice and porkchops, or as a dessert with vanilla icecream.

GINGER BEER SHANDY

ice

fresh lime juice

ginger beer

lager

Fill a glass half-full with ice, and squeeze a little lime juice overtop. Pour in equal parts ginger beer (or ginger ale if you can't find ginger beer) and your favourite lager.

Everything was awesome! I'm loving the ginger beer shandy -- I think I might go make myself another one!

Enoy the long weekend!!