A Caribbean party is not complete without authentic dishes from the islands.
When you can't take a vacation to a warm and tropical climate, the next best thing is planning a Caribbean theme party to bring all the fun and excitement to your home. The backyard is an ideal location for a summer Caribbean party, but you can also plan one inside when the weather is cold outside. Planning the decorations and activities is just one part of the job. For your Caribbean party to dazzle your guests the menu must have some exotic treats. Does this Spark an idea?
Plantains
Fried plantains or tostones are made from green or ripe plantains for an authentic Caribbean treat. Serve both sweet ripe plantains and the green cooking bananas for variety. To make plantains, fry the sliced banana in about an inch of vegetable oil and serve with salt.
Seafood
You can serve seafood in a variety of ways for your Caribbean party from coconut shrimp to crab legs. Use crabmeat in salad or a dip for an extravagant treat for the party. Appetizers can include scallops and shrimp skewered and cooked with Caribbean seasonings. Caribbean food is a blend of sweet citrus, fruits and spicy peppers. Each region has its own way of using spice in the fresh seafood from the region. Lime serves as a marinade for fish in the same way other areas use lemon. Curry is another flavor that Caribbean cooks use in fish dishes.
Jamaican Jerk
Jamaican jerk marinade uses a blend of hot spicy peppers with citrus juice, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, garlic and onions to create a flavor instantly associated with Caribbean cuisine. For a Caribbean menu, you can include jerk chicken, fish, beef or tofu for vegetarian guests.
Mango
Mangos are a native fruit that Caribbean cooks use to create sauces, marinades and with meats to add sweetness to some dishes. Chicken and mango skewers, dipping sauces made with mango, orange juice and spicy peppers are authentic additions for your Caribbean party menu.
Desserts
Your Caribbean menu should include key lime pie. Fruit pudding made with mangos, pineapples and rum served with whipped cream is a tropical treat to finish off a Caribbean meal. Coconut macaroons are another treat to add to your menu for a tropical Caribbean flavor.
Tags: Caribbean party, spicy peppers, your Caribbean party, Caribbean cooks, Caribbean menu, made with, ripe plantains