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Let’s talk about tropical food today.
I know it is nothing new around here, but I can’t help it, tropical foods are simply the best!
Ok, and I guess I am especially excited about them today since I am on my way to Florida for a week of warmth and sun (hoping for some awesome hot and sunny weather!). This means that I will be taking my tropical food craze to addiction level. You can pretty much guarantee that I will have eaten my weight in mangos, pineapple and coconut by the time I return home in a week. Pretty excited.
Anyway, I am probably going to try to keep things a little less lengthy this week since I promised little Miss Asher that I would give her my full and undivided attention for the next seven days. And trust me, if you know Asher then you know she will hold me to this.
We have big plans – dying Easter eggs, hanging by the pool, shopping with Nonnie, more hanging by the pool, munching on mangos and pineapples, sipping seltzer water out of fancy tropical glasses (topped with cute umbrellas and fruit…of course) while Nonnie drinks her wine, making Shirley Temples, making cookies, more pool time, having a spa day. Basically just everything fun that sisters can do together, we’ve got it planned. Mostly though, I really just want to be outside, in the sun and sweating (gosh, I love the heat) and hanging with my family.
ANYWAY. I Â made these Caribbean mango pork and tropical rice plates a little while ago, but when I found out I was actually headed somewhere tropical I decided I would wait to post the recipe. This way I could talk about tropical things and actually be pumped that I am about to be (or maybe even in, depending on what time you are reading) a tropical place.
These plates are probably one of my favorite recipes. Like favorite, favorite. FAVORITE.
It has all the things I love. Tons of flavors, loads of texture, rice, garlic tostones (plantain chips), slow cooked pork, black beans, COCONUT and MANGOS. It’s literally Caribbean on a plate.
AND it’s pretty easy to put together. YES.
You can make the pork in the oven or in the crockpot. I chose the oven just because I decided to sear my pork for a little extra flavor, but both ways are delish. You basically just throw all the ingredients for the pork into a pot and cook low and slow. Aside from making some tropical rice, that’s it. Then put it all together on a plate and call it a day.
I also made some homemade garlic tostones or plantain chips (whatever you want to call them). I LOVE these crunchy/sweet/salty chips, but you do not NEED them. I mean, I surely do, but you know, I am a little freakish. I am not sure if you can buy them in the store or not, but if you can, you could always go that route too, especially if you are looking to save time.
Making them yourself really is not hard though…just sayin…I think they are so worth it.
Such an easy recipe for a busy weeknight dinner and totally perfect for any of those cold (and possibly even snowy) spring days, when we all just wish we could be sitting on the beach and chilling (sorry guys!).
Trust me, I so know that feeling and this meal got me through those feelings. No seriously, it did. Make it, try it, dream about tropical things and love it!!
See, Monday is actually looking pretty awesome!
Gosh, I love when that happens.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
It’s the mangos, they put a smile on my face. Always.
I love when you do tropical food! These plates are just what I’m craving!
Hi:
I made this tonight and it was amazing! I am vegetarian so I replaced the pork with spaghetti squash. It was a great substitute and turned out amazing. My husband was stunned that I actually successfully made rice as well. Thanks!!!
Great post. It’s a two-for!! The post is worth it just for the rice recipe. YUM. Enjoy your sister time. Wish I had one….
This is just what I need! The weather where I live keeps switching from cold to hot and back again (can it just accept that it’s supposed to be spring now?) So even though the weather may not be cooperating, I’ll enjoy this tropical dinner! (maybe if I cover the walls with a beach-y wallpaper I can pretend I’m on the beach with you 😉 )
Can’t wait to make this Tieghan, it looks amazing! I hope you’re enjoying Florida and sun and time with your fam!
Bring on the tropical food! And if the rest looks anything like this, we’re in luck! Have fun on your trip!
I’ve decided you need to open a restaurant so I can come and eat these things. I pin so many of your recipes and there’s not enough time to make them all! I’ll just order one of everything and be fat for a day. Or week.
GAH!! I could so use a plate of these this morning!!
This little tropical dish looks divine! Loving all the wonderful spices from smoked paprika, to cinnamon and cayenne pepper. All-spice has had my heart for a long while; I cook with it all the time. I hope you have a great time in Florida. I know you work super hard on this blog and otherwise, it is nice to know you will take some time to be with family and to simply kick your feet up by the pool. Enjoy!
Hoping your having a wonderful time with Asher and Nonnie (that’s what my kids call my mom!) This pork looks incredible! I think I might just make it this week since it’s lightly snowing outside right now – I need a little tropics in my life!
Wow, sounds like a fun trip to Florida. Who wouldn’t want to be pounding down on this poolside listening to a few steel drums. Of course, in Buffalo, when the temps hit 40 degrees, every guy in town is wearing shorts (and I must say exposing very white legs to the world)
This looks so yummy and tropical..can’t wait to try I’m with you on the mangos and pineapple can’t stop eating them…Have a blast with Asher these will me memories she’ll have forever..
GAH! Florida! How I miss living there with it’s sunny weather and palm treats! I may be ( a lot) jealous of you right now.
I think I am going to have to drown my sorros in 2 PLATES of this fabulous pork! Bring on all the tropical goodness…pinned!
I am heading to Florida in May and now I am even more anxious to go! In the meantime, I am gonna have this tropical bowl of love to to tie me over. Gosh. So beautiful!
Monday IS looking awesome! All of these tropical flavors going on are making me wish I was going to Florida too! These plates look amazing!
Hope you and Asher both have a great Vacation!