Priyu.com – Salsa..Samosa..& Smore

Father’s Day is around the corner. This is a great time to celebrate the special man in your life – “Dad”. I personally think this celebration could be extended to not only your dad but to anyone who you care about. This day is all about making dads or someday-would-be dads feel special! It could be your friend, husband, better half, brother…..this is the time to let the special man (or men) in your life know that you care. And what better way to show how much you care than by cooking a wonderful meal. Remember that saying “the way to man’s heart is through his stomach”? Well, guess what, it actually is very true. We all have bought the same old boring ties and cuff links and golf balls for Fathers Day. But how about wowing Dad with an easy no fuss meal that is big on bold flavors?! This is the perfect solution if you are looking for a new and interesting idea to celebrate Father’s Day. This Father’s Day I have a simple and easy to make menu including a refreshing drink that Dad will absolutely love! And you will notice an island theme going on in this menu from drink to dessert. So, this is also a great menu if you are planning an island theme party!

Cuba Libre (Rum and Coke)

Cuba Libre or simply put Rum & Coke is a classic cocktail that is super easy to make. It is refreshing summer drink and you don’t need no fancy shmancy liqueurs or cocktail mixes. All you need is just 3 ingredients and less than 5 minutes to make. I meant it when I said this is a no fuss menu!

What you need:
2 oz light rum
Juice of 1/2 lime
Coke
Twist of lemon

How to make:
• Pour lemon juice into a highball glass over ice cubes.
• Add rum, fill with cola, stir, top it lemon twist and serve.

Jerk Chicken Burgers

I love jerk chicken. It is probably the one dish that is almost synonymous with Jamaican cuisine. Sadly, there aren’t too many places out there that do a good job of creating this classic Jamaican dish. What I have done below is taken the key ingredients of jerk Chicken and tried to recreate the hot spicy and sweet flavors of Jerk Chicken into a burger. Jerk may seem foreign but believe me you can find all the ingredients in your regular grocery store. And if you cant just improvise. The results might surprise you! Dad is sure to love the bold spicy flavors in this burger…a far cry from the frozen hamburger patty, innit?

What you need:
1 lb ground chicken
1/2 Scotch bonnet or habanero chili pepper, seeds removed, minced (CAUTION: Wear plastic gloves while handling these peppers. Careless handling can cause serious pain!)
3 green onion including greens, chopped.
2 cloves garlic,
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
One inch piece of ginger peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon BBQ sauce + a lil more for basting. (this was my substitute for molasses)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup bread crumbs
Burger buns
Red onion slices
Tomatoes slices
Mayonnaise for spreading

How to make:
• Place the habenero, green onions, garlic, thyme, spices, ginger, BBQ sauce, lime juice, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse a few times.
• Add the mixture and bread crumbs to the chicken and mix well.
• Form 1/2 inch thick patties (don’t forget the gloves wile doing this).
• Chill for 30 minutes or so.
• Fire up the grill on high heat. Spray non stick cooking spray.
• Place the chicken patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes Lightly baste the patties with bbq sauce. Flip the patty and repeat the step.
• Lightly toast the insides of the burger buns on the grill.
• Smear mayonnaise on the insides of the bun.
• Place the chicken patty on the bottom the bun. Top with the onions and tomato slices and the bun top.

 Grilled Pineapple with Ice cream

This is the easiest dessert ever! It is so simple to make and so refreshingly delicious. In fact it is so amazingly easy that I feel silly even writing the recipe. The name kinda says it all. All you need is some fresh pineapple, a hot grill and your favorite ice cream. Grilling pineapple makes the sugars caramelize and intensifies the flavor. I love the contrast of warm tangy pineapple against the cool creaminess of ice cream. I promise you will get plenty of brownie points from Dad for this one!

What you need:
1” thick pineapple slices (2 per person)
Any ice cream you like. I recommend Haagen Daaz Coconut pineapple ice cream.

How to make:
• Heat grill on high heat. Spray non stick cooking spray.
• Place the pineapple slices of the grill and grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side till the slices get grill marks.
• Remove from grill and serve immediately with ice cream.

‘Happy Fathers Day’ Papa. This blog is for you! Too bad I wont be around to celebrate Fathers Day with you. Maybe we can have a belated celebration later this month!