Category: Press & Mentions

Caribbean Cooking Class – Grilled Jamaican Jerk Shrimp

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Denise From GypsyWorldSpiceCafe.com @ Savory Spice Shop of Raleigh

Below is the recipe for grilled Jamaican Jerk Shrimp that I shared during a Caribbean Cooking class that I presented at the Savory Spice Shop in Raleigh, NC.

The marinade for the shrimp features the Savory Spice Shop’s Jamaican Jerk Season Blend, Citrus Juice and Annatto Oil.

It is perfect for upcoming summer parties. You can grill outdoors or use your grill pan to grill indoors. It is easy and quick especially since you only need to marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes.

I also made this with turkey cutlets.

Yum!

Enjoy!
Denise

Banana Salsa

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Shrimp

2 lbs Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons Annatto Oil
Juice from 2 Limes
4 tablespoons Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Salt & Pepper to taste

    • Combine annatto oil, lime juice and Jamaican jerk seasoning in a shallow dish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Add shrimp to marinade. Toss to evenly coat.
    • Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

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Caribbean Cooking Class – Annatto Oil

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Denise From GypsyWorldSpiceCafe.com @ Savory Spice Shop of Raleigh

Below is the recipe for Annatto Oil that I shared during a Caribbean Cooking class that I presented at the Savory Spice Shop in Raleigh, NC.

Annatto is described as being “slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg“. I use Annatto Oil for adding both color and flavor to my recipes. It adds a wonderful golden hue to rice, vegetables, seafood and poultry. In my family, it is a key ingredient for making Pastelillos.

Please note that Annatto Oil is a deep golden red. It does stain easily, so, be careful not get it on your clothing.

Annatto seeds have health benefits too!

Enjoy!

Denise

Annatto Oil
*Recipe Source: Miami Spice

1 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Annatto Seeds

  • Heat olive oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add annatto seeds. Cook until oil is reddish gold and the seeds begin to crackle (about 3 minutes).
  • Strain oil into a clean container with a lid.

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Caribbean Cooking Class – Black Bean & Mango Salad

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Denise From GypsyWorldSpiceCafe.com @ Savory Spice Shop of Raleigh

Last week, I taught my first cooking class at the Savory Spice Shop in Raleigh, NC. The theme for the class was Caribbean cooking.

We had a lot of fun cooking, talking and sharing information, stories….and laughs.

Below is the recipe for Black Bean & Mango Salad. I love this salad recipe because it is easy to make and perfect for spring/summer parties. The flavors are simple, fresh and versatile. It pairs well with chicken or seafood.

Enjoy!

Denise

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Black Bean & Mango Salad
*Recipe adapted from Miami Spice

3 ripe Mangos, chopped
3 15-oz cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1/4-1/2 cups fresh Cilantro, chopped
4 Scallions, trimmed and chopped
4 tablespoons Olive Oil
Juice of 2 Limes
Salt & Pepper to taste

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
  • Adjust seasoning as needed.

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Caribbean Cooking Class – Banana Salsa Recipe

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Denise From GypsyWorldSpiceCafe.com @ Savory Spice Shop of RaleighLast week, I taught my first cooking class at the Savory Spice Shop in Raleigh, NC.   The theme for the class was Caribbean cooking.  

Below is the recipe for Banana Salsa.  I chose to present this recipe because it is simple, flavorful and colorful. 

Banana?

Yes!

If you like mango or pineapple salsa, you will love it. Also, bananas are SO much easier to chop than both mangos & pineapple. 

Try serving it with blue corn tortilla chips or serve alongside of either chicken or fish.

It was a big hit at the class too. Enjoy!

Denise

Banana Salsa

Banana Salsa
*Recipe adapted from Miami Spice

8 Finger Bananas, diced
1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper, diced
1 Jalapeño Pepper, diced
1 Serrano Pepper, diced
1 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom
4 Scallions, trimmed and chopped
1/2 cup fresh Mint, chopped
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Juice from 2 Limes
Salt & Pepper

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
  • Adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serve with blue corn tortilla chips, fish or chicken

Banana Salsa

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The Versatile Blogger Award….

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One of my blogger buddies, Yertle was so nice to award me with the Versatile Blogger Award .   If you are not familiar with her site, be sure to pay her a visit. She posts great stories and her photographs are amazing. I truly look out for Yertle’s posts every day.

There are some strings attached to accepting the award… The award works like a chain letter. So by accepting the award, I have to share 7 blogs that I love (along with sharing 7 things about myself). I subscribe to a lot of my blogs and it was difficult to limit my choices to just 7….I could honestly add another 10+ blogs to this list.

7 Blogs I Love:

Savvy Entertaining features “Fun and Simple Tips for Entertaining at Home”. Shanna shares great recipes and tablescapes.

Sweet Life features incredible Latin recipes with a modern twist. 

Norah Loves Makeup is a great site to follow too. She features tips for makeup and fashion (along with product reviews too).

Finuca features sophisticated posts about home decor, books and food.

Latinaish is a great blog about her multi-cultural family. Her suegra stories are the best! There are many days where her posts make me laugh out loud when I read them.

Her Deep Thoughts is a blog that features stories meant to inspire the reader. The photography is great and I look forward to her Wordless Wednesday posts.

(Tienes) Una Cabeza de Coco is a blog that features posts on many topics. She writes great stories about life/relationships and informative posts about social media.


7 Things About Me:

1. Blogging about Spices is a my hobby.  My professional career is technology related.  My days get busy and cooking is very de-stressing for me.  Blogging has been a great outlet for me.  In a few weeks, I will be celebrating my 1 year blogiversary.

2. My favorite book of all time is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Also, I have read and love all of Lisa Scottoline’s books. I am currently reading Conquistadora written by Esmeralda Santiago.

3. Playing the piano is another hobby of mine. I wish I had more time for this… My favorite piece to play is “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuona.

3. Living a healthy lifestyle is very important to my family. I plan healthy meals and do intense cardio work outs 4-5 x a week. My favorite workout is the Turbo Jam DVD series…which I usually have to do very early in the morning.

4. I come from a family of all girls. Raising boys is a very eye-opening experience. Love it!

5. My husband is definitely my soul mate.

6. I am really scared of thunderstorms.

7. I talk in my sleep.

If you accept the blogger award from me, you have to follow this same template: choose 7 bloggers, and share 7 unknown things about yourself.

Enjoy!

Denise