You Wish You Were On A Caribbean Cruise

Winter is gone and the sun shining.

You're sitting at work daydreaming about going on vacation.

Imagine you're on a cruise right now... 

You're sitting on the lido deck, sipping a pina colada out of a fresh carved pineapple.

The sun is shining and warm against your skin.  

There's a nice breeze blowing.  Just enough to keep you from getting too warm.  But not blowing too much where your magazine doesn't stay on the page you're reading.

In a couple of hours you'll be sitting down to dinner.  Perhaps tonight you'll have the caribbean shrimp appetizer.

Ok, snap back into reality.  You're not on a cruise.

But get excited because tonight you're going to bring the taste of the caribbean to your dinner table!

This caribbean shrimp recipe makes for a beautiful and tasty appetizer, and can also be turned into a healthy dinner by adding a small salad.

And while this recipe calls for fresh mango and papaya, it's also good with pineapple and other tropical fruits.  

You can even make it really fast by using canned tropical fruit.  It's equally delicious and impressive.

So the next time you wish you were on a caribbean cruise and aren't able to book one, go ahead and pretend that you are.  You have the perfect recipe to start off your dinner menu with caribbean flair.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Caribbean Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 1 Can (4 oz) Chopped Jalapeno Chilies
• 3 Tbs Lime Juice
• 2 Tbs Honey
• 2 Tsp Jerk Seasoning
• 2 Pounds Cooked Peeled and Cleaned Large Shrimp
• 1 Medium Mango or 2 Medium Peaches
• 1 Medium Papaya

Directions:

1. Drain chilies in a strainer.
2. Make a marinade by mixing the chilies, lime juice, honey and Jerk seasoning in a large container with a tight fitting lid.
3. Add the shrimp, close the lid, and shake until the shrimp are coated
4. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  
5. In the meantime, cut the mango and papaya into 1/2-inch pieces. 
6. When ready to serve, add the mango and papaya to the shrimp and give the container one last shake to mix all ingredients.

Tip: Can't find Jerk seasoning?  Make your own by combining 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves.  Add 1/8 teaspoon each of ground red pepper (cayenne), salt and sugar.