Tropical Confetti Slaw & Jerk Tilapia ~ Clean(ish) Eating Day 7

Being from the caribbean, I have a love for caribbean cuisine. One of my favorite caribbean dishes is “jerk” anything. Since starting this clean eating challenge, I’ve been looking for ways in which to cook some of my favorite meals. I have a jerk rub that I LOVE, but it calls for “brown” sugar. From all of my clean eating readings, it is STRONGLY encouraged to stay away from processed foods (including sugar). Healthy sugar alternatives include coconut/date sugar for example. Personally, I didn’t like the taste that these 2 sugars gave my rub, so I decided to keep my recipe the same and use an organic “brown” sugar. I realize that doing this does “compromise” the clean eating concept, but in this instance, I was okay with that. My motto is, “Everything in moderation”…………

Jerk Seasoning
Reciped adapted from Aaron McCargo

1 tablespoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup light brown sugar (yes I know…Not clean )
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons oil

Mix well and place in a resealable container.

Tropical Slaw

3 cups shredded organic red and green cabbage combined
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onions
1/4-1/2 cup shredded organic carrots
1/8 cup chopped organic cilantro
1/8-1/4 cup diced organic mangoes (fresh)
1 tablespoon unsweetened organic sliced dried coconuts (toasted)

Mix everything in a bowl except mangoes and coconuts. When ready to serve, add mangoes and some of the orange vinaigrette (use your judgement on how much vinaigrette you want to add) to the bowl. Mix well. When ready to serve, garnish with toasted coconuts.

Orange Vinaigrette

1/4 teaspoon organic orange zest
1/2 cup freshly squeezed organic orange juice
1 tablespoon organic honey
1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
2 tablespoons raw coconut nectar
1/4 cup oil
salt/pepper (to taste)

Place in food processor and blend until well combined. Once done, place in resealable container and refrigerate until ready to use. You will have extra vinaigrette, that can be used another time.

Jerk Tilapia

4-5 tilapia fillets
1/2 tablespoons oil
Jerk seasoning

Here is how you make this dish:

Place 4-5 fresh or unfrozen tilapia fillets in a glass container. Drizzle with oil and smear jerk seasoning over each fillet (front and back). Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hrs.

Coat a cast iron grill pan with some oil, and place on medium heat. Once hot, add fillets. Grill on one side, and then flip to grill the other side. If you are worried about fillet sticking to the pan, use a saute pan, and pan fry. When fillet is thoroughly cooked, remove from skillet. Serve with tropical confetti slaw.

Enjoy!!

Rox