Island Time

Summertime is fast approaching, but you can reel it in a little quicker with a jaunt to the islands. Hoist the sails, fire up the puddle-jumper, and head to warmer climes, where the living’s easy and time moves slow. Sand and surf turn us reptilian. We bask and broil in the heat, only letting loose when the sun sinks past the breakers. Minimal effort, maximum payoff, that’s the beach bum’s MO. Thus the beauty of island cooking: humble ingredients with easy flair; a simple spark of life, whether it’s the lime in your beer or the scotch bonnet kick. This month’s crate brims with those delights: a taste of paradise, whether you’re beach-bound or not.

Frozen Calico Jack — Dark & Stormy Recipe

Tiki Pineapple Syrup // Fix Cocktail Syrups // Madison, WI

Corner-store colas and over-sweetened juices won’t cut it in quality cocktails. That’s why most bars worth their rim salt make their own mixers, like this old-school Tiki Pineapple Syrup. Where canned juice is tongue-numbing sharp, this syrup is a smooth island breeze of tropical flavor, thanks to fresh pineapple, warm spices and a hint of lime. The secret to a great rummy concoction like a Jungle Bird, Rum Runner, or the infamous Painkiller or use it in cooking for our Pineapple Bacon Wings or drizzled over a Coconut Mango Parfait. 

Mixes Well With:

1. rum
2. vodka
3. gin
4. tequila
5. mezcal
6. bourbon.

From The Makers:

Matt and Clare, the husband and wife duo behind Fix Cocktail Syrups

“Every small batch we make is produced with hands-on care and great attention to detail so that each jar is up to our exacting standards. This artisan-centered approach allows us to always use the highest quality fresh produce, adjusting for the differences in season and variety. And we only make flavors we truly love. We hope you love them too!”

Caribeque Spiced Fried Plantains With Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Spicy Chipotle Sauce // Terrapin Ridge Farms // Clearwater, Florida

We love things that elevate your food from “kinda alright” to “utterly delicious” in a flash, the things that make up for the fact that sometimes the dish is “missing something’. Enter Terrapin Ridge Farms whose Chipotle sauce is the swiss-army knife of kitchen condiments. You got a little spicy sweetness, zip from orange juice and a handful of secret spices all packed into this creamy, versatile sauce that can be used as everything from a dip or marinade, to a dressing. It becomes the perfect place to dunk these fried plantains or base for any fried fish sando.

5 Fast Uses:

1. Burgers / Sandwiches
2. Fish Tacos, Tuna Poke
3. A Dip For Sweet Potato Fries
4. Cole Slaw Dressing
5. Pizza

Caribeque Seasoning Blend // Caribeque Seasoning & Rub Co. // Lutz, FL

From The Maker: 

"Caribeque's Caribbean seasoning blends brings you a flavor that will not soon be forgotten. Add that earthy aromatic flavor to your next poultry, seafood, or pork creation. Don’t forget that it makes a great addition to veggies, fries, or any other side dish that you create.

The entire Caribeque line is gluten free and MSG free, low sodium, and has less than 1 gram of sugar per serving. We do not add any anti-caking agents to our product, so they are 100% natural spices that will liven up every meal. We hope you enjoy our products as much as we enjoy creating them for you!"

5 Fast Uses:

1. Season grilled meat or seafood with Caribeque Seasoning.
2. Dust Caribeque Seasoning on sweet potato fries or roasted veggies.
3. Whisk Caribeque Seasoning into olive oil with citrus for an easy marinade.
4. Add Caribeque Seasoning to a pot of simmered beans.
5. Season lobster or seafood rolls with Caribeque Seasoning.

Fried Fish "Surf & Turf" Sandwich With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam Recipe

Pineapple Bacon Wings Recipe Here

Hot Pepper Bacon Jam // Terrapin Ridge Farms // Clearwater, Florida

Spreadable bacon? Goes with anything, naturally. But lately, we’ve been warming up to beachy bacon jam uses like adding the “turf” in this easy surf & turf fried fish sandwich or as a smoky-sweet glaze on these pineapple bacon wings. We dig Terrapin farms because like all great products, they have a simple goal “to eliminate the need to buy multiple ingredients and spend hours in the kitchen.”. Yes, think of this as a beautiful, secret shortcut to delicious, bacon bliss.

From The Maker: 

“Roasted red pepper puree, jalapeno peppers and real bacon combine to create an addictive jam. For a quick appetizer, pour over cream cheese and serve with crackers. Use straight out of the jar as a dip. Pairs perfectly with strong cheeses. Delicious served with grilled fish and chicken or as a condiment on a sandwich, wrap or Panini. 

Fast 5 Uses:

1. Glaze meats with Hot Pepper Bacon Jam.
2. Combine Hot Pepper Bacon Jam with cream cheese on a bagel. 
3. Add Hot Pepper Bacon Jam to fried Rice 
4. Avocado Toast + Hot Pepper Bacon Jam
5. Fried Plantains With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam

Recipes:

Fried Plantains With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam Recipe Here

Coconut Mango Parfait Recipe Here

Maple, Pecans and Coconut // Hudson Henry Baking Co. // Palmyra, VA

Say you’re feeling peckish in the morning but want to take a mini-vacay to a sun-soaked veranda on a tropical island — wake up your taste buds with a bowl of coconut yogurt, fresh mango and a few scoops of this nutty sweet nosh, made with oats, organic coconut, and, best of all, where most granola swings into junk-food territory with sugars and fats, real maple syrup and healthy olive oil.

Spiced Mango With Jerky & Habanero Recipe Here

Premium Beef Jerky // Top Chops // Lebanon, GA

Jerky was born of necessity — spoil-proof sustenance for long, backcountry rambles. And most these days still tastes that way. A chewy chore, not a choice: old cows, sunbaked into last-resort protein fuel. But can jerky be a treat? When it’s done right: USDA choice beef, fresh and tender as a quality steak, popping with pepper, tangy and tender and, dare we say, even refreshing. Fresh from the saddlebag or, as we like it, skewered with a few chunks of pineapple and chared quickly on the grill.

Jerky & Pineapple Skewers Recipe Here 

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