Achieving Perfection

This is one of my husband and I’s favorite recipes of all time.  We adapted it from several recipes we found online, into something that has turned into one of our favorite dishes.  That really is one of our favorite things to do.  Find recipes that have a good premise and then transform them by adding and subtracting ingredients until we get something that is superbly our own and uber delicious.

I have got to say that the preparation on this recipe is a bit long – best saved for a weekend meal.  But it is well worth the wait.  And if you and your partner cook it together, then it goes really fast.  Also, we cook the chicken ahead of time to save time (since the recipe calls for cooked, shredded chicken).

What all is included in this recipe?  It is Caribbean Jerk Chicken Tacos with a Black Bean Mash, Mango Cilantro Relish and a Spiced Sour Cream.  You can serve it with Chopped Cabbage (my husband loves adding Coleslaw).  Make sure to pick up some tortillas and some sweet potato fries at the store!!  Now let’s get started on the ingredients and instructions…

SO….here we go….

Caribbean Jerk Chicken Tacos topped with Mango Cilantro Relish and served with Sweet Potato Fries (our favorite)!

Ingredients:

Ingredients For the Chicken:
2 large chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
2-3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4-1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
Juice of 1 Lime

Directions For the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low. Add chicken and all seasonings. Stir to combine. Add in lime juice, red wine vinegar and 1-2 more tbsp. of olive oil (depending on how moist it is). Stir to combine and cook until chicken is heated through. Add more olive oil if chicken needs more moisture.

Ingredients For the Black Bean Mash:
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2-3 tbsp. olive oil or Mojo Marinade
1 Can Black Beans, slightly drained
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions For Black Bean Mash:
In a medium sized pan, add 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low. Pour in black beans and add in garlic powder and additional olive oil or Mojo Marinade. Stir to combine and allow to cook down until most of the liquid is dissolved. Mash with the back of a spoon. Keep on low heat until ready to use. Right before you use it add a squeeze of lime and stir to combine.

Ingredients For the Sour Cream Mixture:
1/4 cup light sour cream
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Directions For the Sour Cream Mixture:
Stir together sour cream, red pepper, lime juice & cilantro. Set aside until ready to use.

Ingredients For the Mango Cilantro Relish:
2 mangoes, peeled and diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions For the Mango Cilantro Relish:                                                  Combine the mangoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and orange juice in a bowl and gently mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This relish can be made ahead of time.

What else do you need for this recipe:                                                                   Small Flour or Corn Tortillas, Chopped Cabbage or Coleslaw, Extra Cilantro for garnish (if wanted) and Sweet Potato Fries.

For Assembly:
Begin with a flour tortilla, spread a thin layer of the black bean mash across the center of the tortilla. Top with chicken, then cabbage, then sour cream mixture, then mango cilantro relish. Top with more cilantro if desired. Roll up & enjoy!  Don’t forget the Sweet Potato Fries!!!  :)

So, I’d love to know what ya’ll think of this recipe.  It’s delicious and worth the little bit of extra preparation.  And the good thing is that leftovers are just as delicious!  Yum-yum!

Goodnight Ya’ll!