Caribbean Dinner

Blackened Halibut & Mango Papaya Salsa with Pineapple Black Bean Rice, Fried Plantains & Cinnamon Yams.Blackened Seasoning

2 TB ground paprika

2 TB dried thyme

1 Tb oregano

2 Tb onion powder

1 TB garlic powder

1 TB sugar

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cayene pepper

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cumin

OR

buy a good blackened seasoning at the market.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pat the fish dry so it's not wet, it won't sear properly if wet. Sprinkle the seasoning liberally on the fish. Get a pan hot and pour about 2-3 Tb of oil and sear seasoned Halibut on high, both sides until a nice crust has formed. I fisnish the fish in a 375 convection oven for about 7-10 minutes or until fish is done... depending on size of filtet and thickness.

Mango Papaya Salsa

1/4 of red bell pepper

1 mango, peeled, diced, about 1 cup

1 papaya, diced, about 1 cup

2 TB fresh chopped cilantro

1 Tb fine diced red onion

1 tsp minced garlic * can be omited but I find the Christopher Ranch jarred garlic adds flavor

2 TB fresh lime juice

1 TB honey

1 pineapple juice

1 TB orange juice

1 tsp Kosher salt

pinch of cayenne * more if you want it hot.

Mix all the ingredients together, Chill.

Pineapple Black Bean Rice

2 cups of cooked, cooled, long grain white rice.

3 TB Canola oil

1/2 red onion

1/2 red bell pepper

1/2 green bell pepper

3 TB lime juice

2 TB minced garlic

Kosher salt and pepper

1 cup black beans * fresh cooked or can black beans

3/4 cup of pineapple, chopped up, pea size

Optional * 1 TB jerk seasoning or the blackened seasoning (you will probably have some left over from the blackened Halibut)

2 Tb Cilantro - more if you love it like me.

2 green onion, chopped

In a pan, heat oil. Add onions, peppers and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes.

Add the rice and fry it, breaking up any clumps of rice. Add seasoning, salt and pepper.

Add the pineapple and black beans. Incorporate into the rice.

Add cilantro and lime juice. Adjust both to your taste buds.

Ready to serve.

Plantains

2 plantains, slice about 1/4 " thick

sprinkle with garlic salt and onion powder - lightly.

Fry in oil until golden on each side. Some people crush them flat, I didn't.

Cinnamon Yams
2 yams, diced, boiled until done, not over cooked

1 tsp cinnamon

2 Tb melted butter

Plate it & Serve. Enjoy every bite !