Cuban Habanero-Spiced Black Beans

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These beans are an excellent accompaniment to a tropical barbecue. There are many variations of preparing turtle, or black beans, throughout the Caribbean. This recipe uses a Cuban sofrito, which is sauted onions, tomatoes pepper garlic and herbs, as a flavor base for the dishes. Remember to always add and salt or an acid after the beans are done, adding them sooner will make the beans tough.

Ingredients

For the Beans:

  • 1 pound black beans, rinsed and picked over

  • 1 teaspoon dried epazote (omit if not available)

  • 1 tomato, skin removed and chopped

  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)

  • Salt to taste

For the Sofrito:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 small green bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, chopped

  • 2 small onions, chopped

  • 4 large cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 habanero chiles, stems and seeds removed, chopped or substitute 4 rocottilo chiles

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 bay leaf

 

Instructions

Place the beans in a pot and add cold water to cover. Bring the water to a boil and boil them uncovered for 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them.

Return the beans to the pot, add the epazote and 2 quarts of water. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce the heat slightly, and cook for a 1½ hours or until the beans are almost done.

In a heavy sauce pan add the olive oil and heat over a medium.. Add the green pepper, onions, garlic, and chiles and saute for a couple of minutes until softened. Add the oregano, cumin and bay leaf and saute for an additional minute. Add the sofrito to the to beans. Cover and simmer for an additional 30 minutes

Add the tomato, vinegar, sherry, and season with salt to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Mayan Achiote-Marinated Chicken Cooked in Banana Leaves

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Cooking meats in the pibil method dates back to Pre-Columbian times and variations of these dishes can be found in just every restaurant that features local cuisine throughout the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. This method of cooking is done in a pit lined with stones called a pibil which were the center of the Mayan community. This is a easier variation that can be done on the grill or in a smoker, and doesn’t require digging a pit in your back yard. Achiote paste is made with annatto seeds, which is used both a spice and an orange coloring agent. I prefer using the paste, rather that the seeds which are as easy to grind as steel ball bearings. Güero chiles are substituted for the usual xcatic chiles which are impossible to find outside of the area. Banana leaves can be found in Asian markets, but you can also use aluminum foil. Pibils are traditionally served with pickled red onions.

Ingredients

For the Achiote Marinade:

  • 10 whole black peppercorns

  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 2 habanero chiles, stem and seeds removed

  • 2 tablespoons achiote paste

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, Mexican preferred

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh preferred

  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar

For the Chicken:

  • 1 2 pound chicken, cut in serving size pieces or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 3 fresh banana or güero chiles, stems and seeds removed, cut in strips

  • 1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings

  • 4 sprigs fresh epazote or substitute 1 tablespoon dried (omit if not available)

  • 4 tablespoons margarine

  • Banana leaves

  • Cebollas Encuridas (Pickled Red Onions)

For the Cebollas:

  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 5 black peppercorns

  • 3 allspice berries

  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, Mexican preferred

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/3 cup white vinegar

  • Salt

Instructions

For the Marinade:

Place the peppercorns and cumin seeds in a spice or coffee grinder and process to a fine powder. Combine the powder with the garlic and habanero chile and place in a blender or food processor and puree.

Combine the spice mixture, achiote, oregano, bay leaves, and lime juice. Put the chicken in a non-reactive pan and prick with a fork. Pour the marinade over the chicken and marinate overnight or for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

For the Chicken:

To make 4 packets, cut 8 pieces of string about 6 inches long. Lay the strings down on a flat surface, place 4 banana leaves on top of the strings. Place a chicken on each the leaves along with the marinade and top with the chiles and onions. Place a little epazote on each breast along with a tablespoon of margarine. Fold the banana leaves over the meat and tie with the strings.

Place on the grill over indirect heat and cook for 1 hours, or in a smoker on the grill with pan of water between the coals and the wrapped chicken to keep the chicken juicy.

Serve the chicken with warm corn tortillas, pickled onions, and black beans.

For the Cebollas:

Place the onions in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let them sit for 1 minute and then drain. Discard the water.

Coarsely grind the peppercorns, allspice, and cumin seeds in a spice or coffee grinder. Add to the onions.

Add the remaining ingredients, and enough water to barely cover. Allow the mixture to marinate for a couple hours to blend the flavors.

Jamaican Jerk Pork

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The “jerk” in jerk pork is a spice mixture that was used to preserve meat before refrigeration. It was developed by the Awarak Indians, and later refined in Jamaica by runaway slaves known as Maroons. These days, the spices are used to season meats for barbecue and to tenderize rather than to preserve. An inexpensive smoker or a covered grill can be substituted for the traditional jerk pit, and is a lot easier than digging a pit in your yard. Note: This recipe required advance preparation.

Ingredients

Paste:

  • 3 to 4 Scotch bonnet chiles, stems and seeds removed, chopped

  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions, including some of the greens

  • 3 tablespoons crushed allspice (piemento) berries, or substitute 2 teaspoons ground

  • 3 tablespoons fresh thyme

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 2 tablespoons grated ginger

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh preferred

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 3 to 4-pound pork butt or loin roast

Instructions

To make the jerk paste, either pound the ingredients together using a mortar and pestle or place them in a blender or food processor adding the oil to make a paste.

 

Place the roast, fat side down in a non-reactive pan. Make slashes in the pork about 1½ to 2-inches apart and almost through the roast. Rub the jerk over the meat, making sure to get it throughly into the slashes. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

Remove the pork and bring it to room temperature.

Prepare either the grill or smoker. If using a grill, be sure to use a pan under the pork to catch the drippings. Smoke the pork for about 2 to 3 hours, turning the roast every 30 minutes to insure even browning. Cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 150 degrees.

Variations: Substitute lamb chops, chicken, or rib steaks for the pork.

 

Tandoori Murg (Chicken Tandoori-Style)

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Tandoori chicken, a famous Indian dish, is also one of the tastiest. The word tandoori refers to any food cooked in a tandoor, which is a giant, unglazed clay oven. The chicken in this recipe is marinated twice, first with the lemon juice, then with the yogurt mixture. You can approximate a tandoor by using a charcoal grill or gas broiler, but the food won’t achieve the exact flavor. The taste is hard to duplicate since the tandoor reaches such high temperatures, up to 800 degrees F, but even if the chicken is not strictly traditional, it’s still flavorful. Those who are watching their fat intake, will like cooking chicken in the tandoori-style, since the skin is removed from the chicken before it is cooked. And, by using a low fat yogurt in the marinade, the fat is reduced even further. This chicken is traditionally served with cooling mint chutney. Note: This recipe requires advance

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 4 chicken breasts, skin removed

  • 2 to 3 teaspoons ground cayenne chile

  • 1 tablespoon ground paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice

  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

  • Garnish: Lemon slices

  • Mint Raita

For the Marinade:

  • 1 cup plain yogurt

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed saffron threads dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water

  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger

  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

  • 3 teaspoons ground red chile, such as New Mexican or piquin

  • 2 teaspoons Garam Masala

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Instructions

Line a strainer with a dampened cheesecloth, add the yogurt and place over a bowl. Put the bowl and strainer in the refrigerator and let the yogurt drain for 4 hours to thicken.

Make slashes in the chicken about 2 inches deep. Combine the cayenne, paprika, and black pepper and rub the mixture into slashes, add the lemon juice and coat the chicken. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature, then drain.

Put the drained yogurt and all the rest of the ingredients for the marinade in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Pour the marinade over the chicken and, using your fingers, rub it into the meat. Cover the chicken and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning at least once.

Start a charcoal or hardwood fire in your barbecue. Place the grill 2 inches over the coals and grill the chicken for 10 minutes, turning once. Use the marinade to baste the chicken as it cooks. Raise the grill to 5 inches and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, turning once.

Remove the chicken and brush with the melted butter. Return the chicken to the grill and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is done and the juices run clear.

Serve the chicken garnished with lemon slices and with the mint chutney on the side.

Satay Daging (Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce)

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Satays, or sates, are popular throughout Malaysia and the 13,000 some islands that comprise the county of Indonesia. They are miniature brochettes or kabobs made of bite-sized pieces of meat and grilled on bamboo skewers over glowing charcoal. Eaten as a snack, appetizer, or part of the meal itself. They can be made of beef, chicken, pork, as well as lamb, depending on local custom and individual tastes. They contain meat only, never vegetables, and are served with a spicy sauce, such as Sambal Kacang, on the side for dipping. Note: This recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 Thai chiles, stems removed, or substitute serrano chiles

  • 4 green onions, chopped including some of the greens

  • 1 tablespoon chopped ginger

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons peanut oil plus oil for basting

  • 2 tablespoons tamarind juice

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh preferred

  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk

  • 1.5  pounds sirloin beef, cut in 1-inch cubes

  • Sambal Kacang 

Instructions

Place the chiles, onion, ginger, and garlic in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding some of the peanut oil, if necessary, to make a paste.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy saucepan, add the spice paste and saute the mixture for a couple of minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except the beef, and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 15 minutes. If the marinade becomes too thick, thin with hot water. Allow the mixture to cool.

Place the beef cubes in a heavy plastic bag and add the marinade. Marinate the beef overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the beef and thread on skewers.

Preheat a gas gill to high or, if using charcoal, the coals should be glowing. Grill the satays until done, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Brush them constantly with the oil and turn frequently to prevent burning. Cut one cube to check for doneness, they should be slightly charred on the outside and just done on the inside.

To serve, place the satays on a platter, and serve the Sambal Kacang sauce on the side for dipping.