3 Caribbean Recipes To Try At Home

I miss Isla Mujeres. This time last year (January 2017) my husband and I were navigating golf carts around the island, watching the sea turtles (from afar), and eating our fill of incredible Mexican-Caribbean food. 

The southernmost tip of the island. Courtesy: David Key

All paths lead to delicious seafood lunches here. Courtesy: David Key

I miss all of it. How bad is is my desire to return? Occasionally I will bolt upright, eyes wide, mouth watering slightly at the memory of the incredible seafood platter I had at Acantilado.

It’s beginning to be a problem.

The southern point of Isla Mujeres, near the goddess’ temple. #vacation #mexico #islamujeres #ocean

A post shared by Kim Key (@bykimberlykey) on Jan 18, 2017 at 10:01am PST

We don’t had time to return to Isla Mujeres this month (and my new married-name-changed passport is languishing in a government bureaucratic abyss somewhere), so I have to be content with my photos and attempts at making the fabulously simple and fresh dishes I sampled on the island in my own kitchen. I’ve come up with a list of the dishes that worked out well for me and my family:

1. Grilled Jerk Shrimp – You can find plantains in the produce section at the grocery store, and jerk seasoning is with the other spices. Combine with the jumbo shrimp from the seafood counter and you have a fabulous main dish that is a hit at parties.
2. Arroz Marinero – Get out your big paella pan for this one, because it’s basically a Caribbean version of a traditional paella recipe. Lovely seafood combined with a savory broth and rice make this a filling one-pot meal.
3. Piña Colada – We stayed at one of the all-inclusive resorts on the island, and all-inclusive means the drinks are on the bill too! Put your feet up, sip and relax while imagining yourself among the palm trees in a tropical locale.

Have any Mexican-Caribbean recipes to share? Post them in the comments!