Recipes

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ger-Nis Herb Chili Pepper
1 tangerine
4 4-ounce bass fillets, skin on (no more than two inches thick)
Avocado oil or olive oil
1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed small
1 cup ripe but firm mango, cubed small
¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped small
¼ cup red onion, chopped fine
¼ cup green onions, sliced thin
¼ cup cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
2 teaspoons green chilies, deseeded and chopped fine
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
Coconut Cilantro Rice (recipe follows)

Directions

Season both sides of the sea bass with the Chili Herb Black Pepper and drizzle with a little tangerine juice and let sit until room temperature. Heat the oil in a skillet to medium high heat. Place the fish pieces skin side up in the hot pan and cook for about 3 minutes, making sure not to disturb or flip too early. Flip after three minutes and cook for another 4 minutes. Place some coconut cilantro rice on a plate and lay the cooked fish on top (skin side down). Spoon some of the tropical salsa over the top.

Coconut Cilantro Rice

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups long white rice
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups water
2 tablespoos sugar
1 teaspoon Ger-Nis Chili Herb Pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine

Directions

Combine all the ingredients, except the cilantro, into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling cover and reduce to a low temperature. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes and then remove from heat and leave covered and let stand 5-8 minutes. Add the cilantro and mix, fluffing with a fork before serving.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups long white rice
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups water
2 tablespoos sugar
1 teaspoon Ger-Nis Chili Herb Pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine

Directions

Combine all the ingredients, except the cilantro, into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling cover and reduce to a low temperature. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes and then remove from heat and leave covered and let stand 5-8 minutes. Add the cilantro and mix, fluffing with a fork before serving.

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 ounces Ramen Noodles
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups diced onion (about 2 medium)
Coarse sea salt or kosher salt
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups)
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
¹⁄₈ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander, preferably freshly ground
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 14-ounce can coconut milk
1 lime cut into wedges, for serving
½ cup roughly chopped cilantro, chopped, for serving

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. Cook the ramen then drain well. Divide the noodles amond 4 deep bowls.

2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, and sauté until softened, for 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add the sweet potato, garlic, cayenne, ginger, coriander, and turmeric, and sauté for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of water, the coconut milk, and 2 teaspoons of salt, raise the heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

4. Divide the ramen noodles among 4 deep bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles season the bowls with lime, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.

© Recipe Property of Peter Berley

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

Directions

Wash rice three times in cold water, draining after each wash. Then completely soak washed rice in water overnight or for 10 hours. Place drained rice into a pan with the coconut milk, white sugar, zest and rice flour. Steam until rice is cooked through and sticky, about 30-40 minutes. Form sushi oval with the sticky rice and place a mango slice on top. Enjoy the mock sushi pieces!

Makes about 30 truffles

Ingredients

½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons caramel
1 tablespoon honey
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped
Toasted Coconut for Dusting

Directions

In a heavy bottom saucepan, heat the heavy cream, vanilla, coconut milk,caramel and honey to a simmer, about 3 minutes, using a rubber spatula to scrape the side of the pan where the cream builds up. In a separate metal bowl, place the chocolate. When cream is warm, pour it over the chocolate, let sit for about 1 minute, and then stir until smooth and chocolate is melted and incorporated evenly. Place the metal bowl in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Spoon small amount into hands, and roll into a little ball. Do not handle the chocolate ganache too much as the heat from your hands will melt the chocolate. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roll in toasted coconut. Place in refrigerator overnight.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Directions

Place the scallops in a bowl and season with salt. In another mixing bowl mix the lime juice, coconut milk, hoisin and all the garlic, ginger lemon grass and sugar until well mixed. Add the thai chilis, bell pepper and mix well. Marinate refrigerated about 30-45 minutes. Take out or the refrigerator and add the fresh herbs, let stand for 10 minutes and serve garnished with peanuts!

Makes 12 truffles

Ingredients

½ pound pitted & chopped dates
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon of your favorite Liquor
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup cacao nibs
¼ cup finely shredded coconut

Directions

In a food processor add dates, water, liquor, and salt. Mix on high till it forms a ruff paste. Add ½ of the cocoa powder and date mix into a bowl and fold together well. Place 2 small plates on the counter one with the rest of the coco, one with coconut, the other with the nibs. Using a soup spoon, potion out date mixture. Hand roll each into a ball shape. Roll some of the truffles in cocoa powder, some in coconut, and the other in the nibs. Find your favorite combination. Place into fridge for 30 minutes to harden.

Ingredients

For the Coconut-Curry Sauce

2 cups of coconut meat
1½ cups filtered water
1 tablespoon coconut butter
1 thumb size knob of ginger, peeled and minced with micro plan
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 small chili peppers or other small red chilies, with seeds
1 tablespoons kaffir lime powder (take kaffir leaves, dehydrate over night, grind into a fine powder)
1 tablespoon of curry powder or paste
1 teaspoon sea salt
Black pepper

For Jicama Rice

4 cups jicama, peeled and chopped
2 cups coconut meat
½ cup pistaciho
¾ cups almonds (ideally they should be soaked, and dehydrated)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil or a little more
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons ground cardamom
½ cup ground turmeric
Large knob of ginger, peeled and mince with a micro plan
1 handful cilantro leaves, minced
3 jalapeños, seeded and minced
½ small yellow onion, peeled and minced
1 handful golden raisins
Sea salt
Black pepper

Directions

Place the jicama in a food processor and pulse until the pieces resemble grains of rice.
Place the jicama in a fine sieve and squeeze out the excess water.
Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Take the coconut meat place in the food processor and pulse until it resembles grains of rice.
Transfer to the mixing bowl with the jicama.
Take the pistachios and almonds, put in the food processor and pulse until ground into crumbs.
Add to the jicama and coconut bowl and mix together.
In a high speed blender, combine the olive oil, coriander, cumin, cardamom, turmeric, and ginger. Blend until thoroughly combined.
Pour the oil/spices over the jicama/coconut and the nuts.
Add all the remaining ingredients. With a large spoon mix well seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve in a small bowl with the coconut curry sauce on top.

© Kristin Slaby All rights reserved

Makes quite a few snow cones

Most of us don’t have ice scrapers in our kitchen for snow cones so this raspado recipe is modified to utilize the tools we all typically have in our kitchen while still being able to enjoy the authentic taste of a snow cone!

Ingredients

For a mango raspado

2 mangoes, ripe, peeled, deseeded and cubed
1 cup water
½ cup sugar or honey
Juice of 2 limes
Zest of one lime

For a pineapple raspado

3 cups fresh pineapple
1 cup water
½ cup sugar or honey

For a coconut lime raspado

1 cup coconut milk
1 cup shaved raw coconut
1 cup water
Juice of 2 limes
Zest of 2 limes
½ cup sugar

Directions

In a blender blend up all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a low metal dish with sides and place in the freezer to freeze, scraping with a fork every few minutes in order to get a ice consistency. Once frozen serve by scraping up with a fork and placing in a bowl.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Directions

Combine all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling cover and reduce to a low temperature. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes and then remove from heat and leave covered and let stand about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Makes 1½ cups

Ingredients

1 cup coconut, freshly grated
Zest of one lime
Juice of one lime
2 curry leaves
1 thai chili
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

In a small sauce pan add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, stirring constantly until thick and creamy. Cool. Serve over Lime Granita.

Mango-Lime Granita

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 large ripe mangoes, chopped
Zest of one lime
Juice of 4 limes
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup water

Directions

In blender, blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a shallow metal pan and freeze, making sure to scrape with a fork while freezing to result in an icy freeze.

Makes 12-15 bites

INGREDIENTS

2 bananas, firm but ripe, cut into 12-15 pieces
9 ounces dark semisweet chocolate
1 teaspoon cardamom
¹â„₃ cup shredded coconut
½ cup nut of choice, chopped fine
2 teaspoons flax seeds
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
¹â„₃ cup dried dates and cherries, chopped fine

DIRECTIONS

Freeze the banana pieces. In a large bowl, mix all the nuts, seeds, coconut and chopped fruit. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate. Spoon the melted chocolate over the banana bites, making sure to coat well and rid any excess chocolate. Roll the bites in the coconut mixture. Freeze and serve!

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

½ cup fresh strawberries, sliced
½ cup fresh blackberries
1 red grapefruit, pitted and segmented
1 orange, pitted and segmented
½ cup toasted coconut, shavings
Herbal infused honey (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS

Place all the fruit in a mixing bowl, and gently toss together with coconut shavings. Place in two serving bowls. Drizzle herbal infused honey on fresh fruit.

Herbal Infused Honey

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon mint, chopped
1 tablespoon basil, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon thyme, chopped

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan on medium low, add honey and warm. Add mint, basil, and lemon thyme. Reduce temperature and allow honey to infuse for about 4-5 minutes on a low simmer. Take out herbs and discard them.

Makes approximately 4 cups

Ingredients

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, bran and corn flakes, flax seeds, pepitas, coconut and salt. Spread evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet. In a small saucepan warm the honey until the consistency is loose and pourable. Drizzle over the muesli mix and bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After the muesli has cooled, add the banana chips. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 20 tamales

Ingredients

Directions

For the mango mixture

In a medium saucepan place all ingredients in a pan and bring to a low simmer, cook for about 10 minutes and cool.

For the tamale dough

In a large mixing bowl combine the masa harina, lime zest with the mango coconut mixture and butter , mix well. A little at a time mix the lard into the masa harina until full incorporated. Mix in the baking powder and the salt and mix well. In a kitchen aid or with an electric mixer, mix the lard until fluffy or about five minutes. A little at a time mix the lard into the masa harina until full incorporated. Mix in the baking powder and the salt and mix well. The dough is ready (well mixed) when a small piece of the dough floats in a glass of cold water.

For the wrappers

For corn husk wrappers, place the corn husks in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, take out and cool slightly before handling. For the banana leaf wrappers, pass the banana leaf over the gas stove until soft and pliable, about 1-2 minutes.

For the ginger butter

Mix the butter and ginger until smooth.

To assemble tamales

In the center of each banana leaf or corn husk, place about 3-4 tablespoons of masa harina and mango mixture. Fold over the banana leaf or corn husk like you are folding a present. Tying the wrapped package with either corn husk ties or banana leaf ties, or kitchen twine.

Place the wrapped tamales in a steamer and cover the top of the tamales with a kitchen towel (to prevent drips form making tamales soggy). Steam tamales on a medium heat for about 45-60 minutes or until soft and cooked through.

Serve with butter on the tamales.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of sweet/gluttonous or “sticky” rice
2 cups of coconut milk
¾ cup of refined sugar
1 teaspoon of coconut essence
1 tablespoons grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons rice flour
1 ripe mango, sliced to your preference
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup of toasted coconut shavings

DIRECTIONS

Wash rice three times in cold water, draining after each wash. Then completely soak washed rice in water overnight or for 10 hours.

Place drained rice into a tea cloth and steam it, covered in a “huat” (bamboo steamer) or in a rice-cooker that has a steaming function. Steam for 40 minutes or until the rice is cooked and is chewy/sticky.

In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of coconut milk and sugar. Over very low heat, dissolve the sugar into coconut milk. Do not overcook or let the coconut milk boil. Place aside. Take steamed rice and place into a non-metallic bowl. Pour coconut/sugar mixture over rice, cover and set aside for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, dissolve rice flour in ¹⁄₈ cup of water. In a small saucepan, over low heat, add 1 cup of coconut milk, salt, coconut essence and dissolved agar (flour mixture). Stir over low heat for 2 minutes. Do not let milk come to a boil. This is your coconut sauce.

After the rice has set for 30 minutes in coconut mixture, place 1 serving of rice (¼ to ½ cup of rice) alongside sliced mango. Drizzle coconut sauce over rice only. Sprinkle grated lemon rind and toasted coconut shavings over rice. Enjoy!

*Tip: Adjust the sweetness by drizzling simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water, dissolved over low heat) over plated rice before pouring coconut sauce over rice.

© Recipe Property of John Vang

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

1 large eggplant
3 tablespoons canola oil
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 garlic cloves, ground to a paste in a mortar and pestle
1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
1 tablespoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garam masala
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 ripe medium tomatoes, chopped
½ fresh hot green chile, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice of ½ lemon

DIRECTIONS

Roast the eggplant directly on the burner of a gas stove over medium heat, turning often, until the skin is completely blackened and the flesh is soft, about 10 minutes. Or, roast the eggplant on a cookie sheet in a 500°F oven until the skin is blackened, about 20 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle, then pull off the skin with your fingers, rinsing your hands under running water as you work. (Don’t worry if you can’t get all the charred skin off.) Cut off and discard the stem. Then put the eggplant in a bowl and mash it to a puree with a potato masher.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, wok, or kadai over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the onion and salt, and cook, stirring often, until the onion begins to brown around the edges, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until the raw smell disappears, about 30 seconds. Add the coconut, if using, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the coriander, cumin, garam masala, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Now add about 1 tablespoon of water, and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to stick, about 1 more minute.

Add the tomatoes, and give the mixture a stir. Add the mashed eggplant, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Stir in the fresh chile and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro. Stir in the lemon juice, and taste for salt. Spoon into a serving bowl, sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of cilantro, and serve hot.

© Recipe Property of Suvir Saran

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2½ tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon yellow split peas
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 whole dried red chiles
8 fresh or 12 frozen curry leaves, torn into pieces (optional)
¹⁄₈ teaspoon asafetida (optional)
1 fresh hot green chile, cut corsswise into thin slices
1 red onion, sliced
1½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
1 small tomato, chopped
1 cup split peas or lentils simmered in water to cover until tender, and drained
Juice of ½ lemon
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

Combine the oil, the mustard seeds (if using), and yellow split peas in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or casserole dish over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the mustard seeds crackle and/or the dal begins to color, 1 to 2 minutes. (Cover the pan if using mustard seeds; they pop and splatter.)

Add the cumin and cook, stirring, until the cumin turns golden brown, about 1 minute.

Add the dried chiles, curry leaves, and asafetida (if using), and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. (Stand back when using the curry leaves; they spit when they hit the oil.)

Add the fresh chile, onion, and salt, and cook until the onion softens, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the coconut, if using, and cook, stirring, until it turns golden brown, about 2 more minutes. Add the tomato, and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the cooked lentils, lemon juice, and cilantro, and stir until the lentils are warmed through. Taste for salt. Spoon the salad into a serving bowl, and serve warm or at room temperature.

© Recipe Property of Suvir Saran

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup fresh mango, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 cup short-grain brown rice, rinsed
1 cup coconut milk
2 cups milk, warmed
1 vanilla bean, split
¼ cup shredded coconut

PREPARATION

In a medium-size saucepot over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add mango and ginger, sauté for a few minutes. Then add brown rice, cook stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add coconut milk, milk and vanilla bean. Turn the heat to high, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender and liquid is reduced, creamy and thick, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate small sauté pan, add coconut and toast until golden brown.

To serve, spoon risotto into bowls and garnish with toasted coconut.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil, for sautéing
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped
2 green chilies, chopped
1 tablespoon lemongrass, chopped fine
3 limes, zest and juice
1 large red onion, chopped
4 chicken breasts sliced into thick, long slices about 1 inch wide and the length of the breast
2 large leeks, chopped
1 large orange pepper, chopped in large pieces
1 large red pepper, chopped in large pieces
Salt
Pepper
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges, for garnish

PREPARATION

In heavy stew pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sauté garlic, ginger, chilies, lemongrass, onions and lime zest and cook until onions are tender, about 7 minutes. Add chicken and sauté another few minutes trying to brown the chicken a bit. Add leeks and stir well. Add orange and yellow pepper and continue to sauté mixture for another few minutes. Add lime juice, season with salt and pepper. Add coconut milk; bring to a boil and let cook for about 3 minutes on high heat. Reduce heat to simmer. Add chicken stock and stir well. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Add cilantro and stir well just before serving.

The night before your party make the bay leaf simple syrup with ½ cup sugar, 1/3 cup water and 2 fresh bay leaves. On medium heat, dissolve the sugar in water. Remove from heat and add 2 fresh bay leaves to the syrup. Let steep for 30 minutes and remove the bay leaves. Refrigerate overnight.

Bay Leaf Simple Syrup

½ cup sugar
1/3 cup water
3 fresh bay leaves

In a medium sauce pan on medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the water and bring to a rolling boil, as soon as the mixture comes to a boil take off heat and place bay leaves in the pan to steep. Let steep for about 30 minutes and remove the bay leaves. Cool and refrigerate overnight.

For the
Lemon Curd

¾ cups sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 cup meyer lemon juice
5 ounces cold butter, cubed
Pinch salt

Prep a metal bowl with sieve place over it. Whisk together all ingredients except butter and place over a bain-marie. Mix continuously with a wooden spoon. Watch very closely as it thickens, once your curd coats the back of a spoon without dripping remove immediately from heat. Pass through the strainer and add the cold butter. Mix until melted. Add salt. Set plastic wrap directly on top of the curd so that a skin does not form and let cool for an hour.

For the
Toasted coconut

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

In a oven that is preheated for at least 15 minutes at 300 degrees, place shredded coconut on a cookie sheet and bake or toast until crispy approximately 15-20 minutes.

For the
Bay Leaf Whipped Cream

1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup bay leaf simple syrup

Whisk heavy cream with bay leaf simple syrup until soft peaks form, chill.

For the
Parfait Assembly

In your parfait glasses or bowls place a generous spoonful of Meyer lemon curd, a few spoons of blueberries, and top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and toasted coconut. Refrigerate until serving.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup chopped mango
½ cup chopped pineapple
½ cup chopped papaya
½ cup chopped coconut
juice and zest of 2 limes
½ cup chopped mint
1 jalapeno chopped
1 T honey

PREPARATION

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let stand for 20 minutes. Serve chilled or room temperature. Serve over grilled fish or shrimp.

INGREDIENTS

4 chicken breasts sliced into thick, long slices about 1 inch wide and the length of the breast
4 gloves garlic
2 large leeks
2 T chopped fresh ginger
1 T lemongrass, chopped fine
2 green chilies
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large red pepper, chopped in large pieces
1 large orange pepper, chopped in large pieces
juice and zest of 3 limes
1 c coconut milk
1 c chicken stock
1 c chopped cilantro
salt and pepper
olive oil

PREPARATION

Sauté garlic, ginger, chilies, lemongrass, onions and lime zest on medium high heat in a heavy bottom stew pan with olive oil until the onions are tender. Add chicken and sauté another few minutes trying to brown the chicken a bit. Add leeks and stir well. Add orange and yellow pepper and continue to sauté mixture for another few minutes. Add lime juice, salt and pepper. Add coconut milk and let simmer for about 3 minutes on high heat. Reduce heat to simmer. Add chicken stock and stir well. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Add cilantro and stir well just before serving.

Garnish with lime wedges. Serves 6.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and deseeded
Milk of one coconut or ½ cup of canned coconut milk
1 onion, finely sliced
½ cup freshly chopped coriander
1 tsp freshly chopped green chilies
Juice of one lime
Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Finely chop the tomato flesh and place in a bowl together with the remaining ingredients. Mix well.

Serve at room temperature to accompany curry and rice dishes.