When the chilly winter blues have got you down, plan a mini tropical escape by cooking up one of these vacation-worthy recipes. Whipping up a tasty dish inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean or Hawaii is a great way to put you in a summer state of mind even if there’s still snow on the ground outside. These recipes would go great with a pitcher of margaritas or another tropical cocktail, so why not invite some friends over and make a night of it?
Tropical Tilapia
If you’ve ever been to Jamaica, you know how jerk seasoning takes every dish to the next level. This Tropical Tilapia recipe from Taste of Home is no exception. Season four Tilapia fillets with jerk spices, then whip up a tropical sauce of dried fruit, red pepper jelly, almonds, mint and lime, and pour it over the fish.
Sautéed Shrimp with Tropical Fruit Salsa
This Sautéed Shrimp with Tropical Fruit Salsa recipe from Simply Recipes is a “Floribbean” style dish, a fusion of Florida and Caribbean flavors. It features seasoned sautéed shrimp in a sauce made of diced mango, kiwi, pineapple, mint and chili powder. Then, serve them over rice topped with toasted coconut flakes.
Hawaiian Seafood Kabobs
Kabobs are a summertime favorite, so this Hawaiian Seafood Kabobs recipe from Kraft is sure to lift your spirits and make you forget about the chilly weather. To make this recipe, marinate mahi-mahi, red peppers, onions and pineapple in a sauce made from rum, pineapple juice, ginger and Asian sesame dressing for at least 30 minutes. Once they’re done marinating, place the fish and veggies on skewers and grill them on your barbecue or in your oven until the fish is flaky. For a healthier option, use a mercury-free fish like sustainably farmed Tilapia instead of the mahi-mahi.
Ahi Poke Bowls
If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you know just how amazing poke is. It’s easier than you’d think to make—just try this Ahi Poke Bowls recipe from How Sweet Eats to find out. All you need to do is toss the tuna, mango and avocado in a mix of soy sauce, ginger and garlic and then place the mixture on a bowl of rice.
Tilapia with Mango Salsa
This Tilapia with Mango Salsa recipe from Garnish and Glaze is a great choice for when you’ve had enough heavy winter soups and stews and want a dish that’s fast, healthy and light. Simply prepare the Tilapia fillets in a broiler and then top with a mango salsa made from black beans, bell pepper, mango, cilantro and lime. Serve over rice.
It may still technically be winter, but with these recipes you can pretend you’re on a warm, tropical beach far away. For more dishes that will have you daydreaming of summer, check out these 6 easy Mexican recipes!
Photo credits: Garnish and Glaze, Taste of Home, Simply Recipes, Kraft, How Sweet Eats, Garnish and Glaze