Friday, September 10, 2010

Jerk Wraps with Fresh Peaches, Fried Plantains, and Ginger Mayo

Every summer it seems we find a new addiction when it comes to fresh peaches. Oddly enough, it's not usually a dessert recipe.  It's usually a sammich.

Two years ago, we fell in love with Thai style fish tacos with red curry coleslaw and peach salsa

Last year we discovered the BLP -- which made us so very happy we had a hard time saying goodbye to peach season.

And this summer, I'm afraid it's the Jerk Wrap.

I've been waiting all summer for the blushiest, ripest peaches so that I could pair them with something spicy. Usually, they'd end up in some sort of salsa.  But, not this year.  This year I decided to veer along Caribbean lines. The first thing I did was to fry up a couple of plantains.

I tend to like my plantains on the sweet side. But, for this recipe I opted for fruits in the mid-range of ripeness -- mostly yellow with a few black flecks.  I figured that the semi-ripe fruit would hold up a bit better during the frying process, and the starchier flavor would compete less with the sweetness of the peaches.

In keeping with the Caribbean theme, I decided to fry the plantains in coconut oil.  I use coconut oil frequently for making Thai curries, for frying fish and seafood, and for baking.  I also love the flavor it adds to roasted cauliflower, turnips, and potatoes.

In this particular case, I was trying out a new product. Tropical Traditions had just sent me a sample of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil -- a coconut oil made using the traditional methods (grating the coconut, extracting the milk and allowing the milk stand until the oil separates naturally from the water).

One of the first things I noticed about the TT oil was its clarity -- perfectly clear at above 76ยบ. The oil also smelled rich and nutty.  Since the oil was warm enough to be in its liquid state when I pulled it out of the cupboard, I used a ladle to put about 1/4 cup into my cast iron skillet.

I heated the oil over medium-high heat before adding the plantains, which I had sliced in half and then lengthwise (making them a reasonable shape to put into a wrap.   The plantains fried up beautifully golden brown.  The outside of the fruit was golden and crisp, while the inside was warm and creamy.  And the plantains carried with them just a hint of the nutty coconut flavor.


Once the plantains were fried, I sliced up the peaches while Peef shredded up the jerk chicken.  I also mixed two tablespoons of ginger with about 1/3 cup or so of mayonnaise. I spread the mayo onto a sprouted grain wrap, added a couple of slices of peaches, a length of plantain, about 1/4 cup of shredded chicken, and a few fresh arugula leaves.

One bite and we were both hooked. The peppery arugula provided crunch. And the complex flavors of the jerk chicken -- allspice, habanero, thyme, and garlic -- paired perfectly with the sweetness of the peaches and the liveliness of the ginger mayo.  Meanwhile, the warm crisp plantains provided body and "tooth" to the wrap.  

This recipe would be equally as good made with tofu or pork.  In fact, we're already working on a winter variation of the recipe -- jerk pork with sliced pineapple, watercress, and ginger aioli.

Burp! Jerk Marinade
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**** TROPICAL TRADITIONS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ****

Interested in trying out Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil for yourself?
Tropical Traditions has generously offered to send a quart sized jar of their coconut oil to one lucky reader.  To win, please read the instructions below. Be sure to leave a comment for each entry (and leave your email address if you don't have it listed on your blog/contact info).   Contest ends 9/25/10 at NOON (CST).

Mandatory entry (must be completed or no other entries will count):   
Extra entries – please leave a comment for each additional entry, letting us know you completed it
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  • Use the following text to tweet about this giveaway (please leave a link to your tweet in the comments for credit):  
    • Tropical Traditions Gold Label Coconut Oil - #win a quart @Burp_blog:  Ends 9/25 #giveaway


Full disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.


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56 comments:

  1. Um, definitely "Coconut Rhubarb Walnut Bread." There is no part of that name that doesn't sound delicious.

    Though, honestly, if I got coconut oil, I would be making popcorn with it first thing! Or, rather, my husband would be using it to make popcorn for me (that's his job). :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I also "liked" you on Facebook. I didn't realize you were on there! Hooray!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow, that wrap sounds heavenly and would put my husband over the edge. Instead of us heading out for a swanky dinner on our wedding anniversary, can we just hire you two?

    I watched the video on the gluten free coconut flour pizza dough some time ago. I need to try that soon!

    Tropical Traditions does have the best coconut oil out there. Remind me to tell you a story about them when we meet next.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks incredible! I'm a sucker for anything coconut, especially in entrees.

    I would love to try the thai coconut salmon which combines three of my favourite flavours in one (marisaseguin@miad.edu)

    Do you know if this coconut oil is available at Outpost or Whole Foods or somewhere else local?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marisa -
    Unfortunately, I believe that you have to order the Tropical Traditions oil directly from them. However, I also like Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil, which you can get at Outpost and Whole Foods.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Man does this sound good. I could get addicted to this. easily. Plantains are a love of mine. A serious one.

    I have a jar of coconut oil sitting here and I never think to use it! Next time I make thai food, it is coming out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ooooh, mama! Take me on a date with that coconut date shake! Yes, please!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have been experimenting a bit with cooking with coconut oil in the past couple years. I like it because it's unprocessed like so many other oils on the market and sometimes I don't want to use olive oil or butter.

    Peach season is just too short, isn't it?

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  9. You and your peaches! I'm jealous! I have only eaten them a couple of times this season, and sadly (though organic), they were Californian and not the best...

    I have a new purpose for the farmer's market this week, I think!

    ReplyDelete
  10. OK, this sounds wild, but it combines some of my favorite flavors so I pretty much HAVE to try it: Sweet Potato Coconut Peanut Butter Soup

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to try the Coconut Mashed Potatoes Coconut Oil Recipe

    shopgurl101 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Im subscribed to tropical traditions

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  13. http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/24514513774 tweeted

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  14. I follow you on twitter @shopgurl

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  15. I live you on fb (evelyn d)

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  16. Wow, this looks so good! Love all the flavors!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I would like to try the recipe for Rhubarb Strawberry pie with coconut oil pie crust.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I subscribed to Tropical Traditions email sales newsletter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I subscribe and follow you on FB! :) Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  20. I subscribe and follow you on FB! :) Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  21. The coconut flour chocolate cake sounds delicious!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to try the raspberry peach melba smoothie!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I want to try the Chicken Cacciatore. I'm married to an Italian guy, what can I say?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Chicken with Citrus-Garlic-Ginger Sauce! (But I love LOTS of the other recipes, too!)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I subscribed to Tropical Tradition’s email sales newsletter (elisse @ frontiernet.net)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Subscribe to Tropical Tradition’s email sales newsletter
    I "like" you on Facebook (Elisse Jo Goldstein-Clark)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow @Burp_blog on Twitter: @elkhorninn

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  28. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/elkhorninn/status/24616675648

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would love to try so many of the recipes but chose the Coconut Baked Oatmeal. There are many baked oatmeal recipes that are out there and this one must be good. :)

    Megan P.
    megan@p7sales.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am subscribed to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

    Megan P.
    megan@p7sales.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I want to make Banana Coconut Cream Bread!
    yum!
    daisydoo200 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I receive Tropical Traditions e-mail updates!
    daisydoo200 at yahoo dot com

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  33. I follow on Twitter @Xocaisgood!
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  34. Tweet! http://twitter.com/xocaisgood/status/24849782240
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    ReplyDelete
  35. I am also subscribed to tropical traditions

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tweeted! http://twitter.com/xocaisgood/status/24909247409
    daisydoo200 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. the Chocolate Almond Coconut Bites look fantastic!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. i sub to TT's newsletter

    ReplyDelete
  39. tweeted http://twitter.com/godlyhomemaker/status/24953115376

    ReplyDelete
  40. Tweeted this~http://twitter.com/xocaisgood/status/25058915086
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  41. Tweeted this! http://twitter.com/xocaisgood/status/25248029212
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  42. I'd love to try the orange coconut scones.

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  43. I follow @Burp_Blog on Twitter.

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  44. I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/polleydan/status/25331131621

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  45. Tweeted this! http://twitter.com/xocaisgood/status/25348725708
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    ReplyDelete
  46. I'd love to try the Chocolate Almond Coconut Bites recipe

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Subscribe to Tropical Tradition’s email sales newsletter

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Follow @Burp_blog on twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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  49. http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/25468990215

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