staples and spice day 5: caribbean jerk spice.

Posted on May 3, 2013 by amyheight — No Comments ↓

Spices: Allspice, black pepper, chili pepper, cinnamon, paprika, parsley, thyme.

Staples: White beans, chickpeas, brown rice.

It's a little taste of the beach, easily packed into one quick meal: just six spices and three staples, and you're good to go!

If you haven't caught on yet, these staples + spices recipes are intended to be super simple (very little measuring), super quick (not more than 10 minutes to put together - including dishes), and super nutrient-dense. I love that each one imparts the great antioxidant benefits of the different spices, as well as a variety of nutrients from each of the staple ingredients. I find cooking this way is really effective, especially in weeks where time is tight. I hope it's proving to be a fun exercise in modifying foods that might otherwise be a little plain. With a little creativity and some preparation, a week of healthy meals can be something besides stressful.

Enjoy this little bundle of spicy goodness - it's great to refuel after a workout (and great to make for a group if you have several people to feed!)

1. Combine equal parts allspice, cinnamon, paprika, and thyme in a small bowl.
2. Add the white beans and chickpeas to the spices, along with a little coconut oil. Toss to coat.
3. Transfer beans to a pan and saute over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, adding in chili pepper and black pepper halfway through.
4. Serve on a 1/2 cup bed of rice. Garnish with parsley.

C'est tout! Enjoy!