#islandeats

Experience the tropical flavors of the Caribbean with this vibrant and nutritious Quinoa Bowl. Packed with black beans, fresh fruits, and a zesty lime dressing, it's a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients that will transport your taste buds to paradise.

Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained. 2 cups water. 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed. 1 cup diced pineapple. 1 cup diced mango. 1 red bell pepper, diced. 1/2 red onion, finely chopped. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. 1/4 cup shredded coconut. 1 avocado, sliced. Juice of 2 limes. 2 tablespoons olive oil. 1 teaspoon ground cumin. 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: Put the quinoa and water in a medium-sized saucepan. Slowly raise the heat, cover, and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is done and the water is absorbed. Put cooked quinoa, black beans, pineapple, mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and shredded coconut in a large bowl. Put cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice, and olive oil in a small bowl. Mix them together with a whisk. Add the dressing to the quinoa and toss it all together. Pour the quinoa mix into bowls, and then add slices of avocado on top of each one. If you want, you can add more cilantro and shredded coconut as a garnish. Get your Caribbean Quinoa Bowl ready to eat and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Experience the flavors of the islands with Hula Joes, a Hawaiian-inspired version of the classic sloppy joe. The combination of ground pork, pineapple, and savory-sweet sauce will transport you to a tropical paradise.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground pork. 1 onion, finely chopped. 1 bell pepper, diced. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned. 1/2 cup ketchup. 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 1 tablespoon brown sugar. 1 teaspoon ground ginger. 1 teaspoon chili powder. Salt and black pepper to taste. Hamburger buns for serving.

Instructions: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground pork until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened. Stir in pineapple chunks, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, ground ginger, and chili powder. Mix well. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Toast hamburger buns if desired. Spoon the Hula Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half of the bun and serve these Hawaiian-inspired sloppy joes with a tropical twist!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

A tasty and tropical take on classic fried rice is Hawaiian Fried Rice. The taste combination of pineapple, ham, and jasmine rice is savory and sweet, making it ideal for an easy and filling supper.

Ingredients: 2 cups cooked jasmine rice. 1/2 cup diced pineapple. 1/2 cup diced ham. 1/4 cup frozen peas. 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. 2 eggs, beaten. Salt and pepper to taste. Green onions for garnish. Sesame seeds for garnish.

Instructions: In a large wok or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the garlic is fragrant, add the minced garlic and saut it for about 30 seconds. Cook the diced ham for two to three minutes, or until it begins to brown. Pour the beaten eggs into the wok's other side after pushing the ham to one side. Till the eggs are thoroughly cooked, scramble them. Add the frozen peas, diced red bell pepper, diced pineapple, and cooked rice and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 34 minutes. Stir-fry for a further two to three minutes, or until everything is thoroughly heated and well combined, after adding the soy sauce. To taste, add salt and pepper for seasoning. Before serving, garnish with sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions. Use chopsticks to serve food from wooden bowls.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Mochiko Chicken is a popular dish on the islands because it has a crispy outside and a tender, flavorful inside. This recipe uses mochiko flour, which is sweet, along with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, which are savory.

Ingredients: 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces. 1 cup mochiko sweet rice flour. 1/4 cup soy sauce. 1/4 cup sugar. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 1 tablespoon ginger, grated. 1/4 cup green onions, chopped. 1/4 cup sesame seeds. Oil for frying.

Instructions: To make the marinade, put soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and green onions in a bowl and mix them together. Put the chicken pieces in the sauce and cover for at least an hour. Coat the chicken that has been marinated in mochiko in another bowl until it is evenly covered. Put oil in a pan and heat it over medium-high heat. It will take about 5 to 6 minutes for each batch of chicken to turn golden brown and be fully cooked. While the chicken is still hot, sprinkle sesame seeds on top of it. Serve hot with rice and your favorite sauce to dip it in.

Prep Time: 70 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

There is a quick and easy one-pot recipe for Hawaiian pulled chicken with pineapple chunks that tastes sweet and sour. These burgers are a great way to add a tropical touch to a classic dish.

Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs. 1 cup pineapple chunks. 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. 4 hamburger buns. 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced. 4 lettuce leaves. 4 slices of Swiss cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: In a large skillet, combine chicken thighs, pineapple chunks, and BBQ sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is tender and can be shredded easily with a fork. Using two forks, shred the chicken in the skillet and mix it with the pineapple and BBQ sauce. Split the hamburger buns and lightly toast them in the skillet or on a grill. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a generous portion of the pulled chicken and pineapple mixture. Add a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the hot chicken to melt slightly. Top with sliced red onion and the other half of the hamburger bun. Serve immediately and enjoy your Hawaiian Pulled Chicken and Pineapple Burgers!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes