Avocado & Tomato Salad
The perfect appetizer, entree, side or snack!
Ingredients
2 Cups Cherry or grape tomatoes
2 Cups Cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced medium
1 Cup Red onion, diced small (can add more or less based on taste)
1/2 Cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons lime juice (1 fresh lime)
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and serve on top of bed of lettuce or by itself. This is a fantastic addition to anything off the grill. Grilled steak, chicken, salmon, chops, etc... It is full of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber all of which will help lead to a leaner mid section. One word of warning, WATCH your portion sizes. This is so good that it will be easy to more than you should. A cup over a bed of lettuce or a cup and a half as a side is about where you want to be.
The magic of marinades
Jamacain Jerk Marinade
This is a jerk marinade that gets that great jerk flavor deep into the meat. You can use this marinade on all kinds of meat and poultry.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped
- 1 hot pepper, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon cider or white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt is preferable)
- 1 teaspoon Jamaican Pimento (Allspice), ground
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- dash hot sauce (optional)
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. This marinade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Mexican Style Marinade
This can be used on practically any meat or Mexican-style dish. You'll get a great lime and cilantro flavor without overpowering the flavor of the meat.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients and mix well. This marinade works best if it is made a day in advance so the flavors can blend. Marinate beef, lamb and pork for about 6 hours, poultry for 4 hours and fish for 1 hour.