recipe | caribbean jerk shrimp + pineapple salsa

I don’t know what it is lately but I have been really into cooking and trying new things. Blame it on my new health kick or the fact that I live with a boy who is always hungry, either way, I think everyone is pleased with my new hobby. I have always been a super picky eater so I’ve enjoyed learning about new foods and their surprisingly great appeal through cooking. Take shrimp for example. I have never, I mean never, liked shrimp or any type of seafood. The consistency, fishy taste and odor, and the fact that it came from the bottom of the ocean always turned me away. However, as I begin to test out new flavor combos while still trying to create healthier dishes, I’ve come to the realization that shrimp isn’t so bad. Sure, I might have to drown it in garlic, herbs and the occasional sauce or marinade, but I’m a fan and it sure beats fried chicken fingers every night.

So in comes today’s recipe (which is a first for Fashionably Lo!) I have been wanting to try a shrimp dish for a while that wasn’t pasta related.  After browsing through Pinterest for an hour, I decided to just take a chance and try using ingredients I already had in our kitchen. As soon as I came across this Caribbean Jerk Marinade from Trader Joes, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I pulled together a few of my favorite fresh ingredients and decided to go for an island-getaway feel. The pineapples, jerk marinade and spicy shrimp came together for the perfect combo.

Not only was this dish super healthy, but it was a hit with G and that is saying a lot (it was just last week that I was cooking Easy Mac for dinner).

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Ingredients
grilled shrimp
½ pound medium, uncooked shrimp (peeled and deveined for me!)

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

pinch of thyme

pinch of paprika

pinch of oregano

salt & pepper to taste

Caribbean Jerk Marinade (enough to coat shrimp, I used about 1 ½ cups)

pineapple salsa
(3) slices of pineapple

(4) baby bell peppers

fresh mint

olive oil and apple cider vinegar to taste

(2) cups brown rice

How-To
1. Combine and mix all shrimp ingredients in a bowl. I used a store bought marinade from Trader Joes but am thinking about trying this homemade one next time! Let the mixtures marinate overnight or even just a few hours (could prepare before leaving for work in the morning)

2. Later or Next Day Start up your grill. I was too lazy to go to the roof so I used our mini George Foreman. You could also cook in a skillet but I like to pretend my GF was a healthier option

3. Finely chop bell peppers, pineapple and mint, mix together in bowl

4. Add in a drizzle of olive oil and apple cider vinegar, tasting as you go to make sure it isn’t too bitter or too bland. Set aside

5. Make sure grill is ready and then place your marinated shrimp evenly across grates

6. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes on each side or until opaque

7. Once shrimp is cooked through, add a ½ cup of rice to a plate and top with the desired amount of salsa and shrimp.

8. Enjoy!

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