If you’re like many people, you probably dream of escaping to a warm and sunny tropical paradise to escape the cold and dark days of winter. Even if you can’t take a tropical vacation because of travel restrictions or budgetary concerns, you can still capture some of the essence of tropical living by getting some foods to go from a restaurant that features tropical-inspired meals on its menu. Here are four tropical eat-out options that can help banish the winter blues.
Jerk Chicken
Inspired by classic Jamaican cuisine, this savory chicken dish is marinated in a tangy sauce and additional spices to increase its kick. The chicken can also be washed with lime or lemon juice to give it some extra flavor. You can try ordering your jerk chicken with a side of rice and some sliced bell peppers along with coleslaw and potatoes for a complete meal. Thanks to its Jamaican roots, this dish is great for those looking to warm themselves up with a bit of spice. Tropical foods like this may not be a traditional winter dish, but it certainly helps those who are dreaming of warmer climates.
Stew Peas
Another Jamaican classic, the stew peas are usually made with red peas along with stew beef, garlic, and pimento seeds. Scallion stalks are often added to stew peas as well. Coconut milk may also be used to prepare the dish. The restaurant may offer small or large sizes of stew peas meals so that you can order the right amount to satisfy your appetite. This is less of a spicy dish but the stew comes warm, making it soothing and comforting on a cold winter’s day.
Escovitch Fish
You can satisfy your seafood craving with this satisfying fish meal. Escovitch fish is similar to ceviche but only spicier and will give your taste buds more reason to celebrate. The spicy pickled sauce that the fish is soaked in usually consists of vinegar, carrots, and onions along with scotch bonnet peppers to give the dish its distinctive Caribbean flavor. The Caribbean restaurant that you order your escovitch from may also top your fish with peppers and onions for more spice. Definitely not something you often find in colder climates, this is a great tropical meal for those who are missing their summer heat.
Curry Goat
You can mix some flavors from India with your tropical-inspired meal by ordering the curry goat. Chili peppers and curry powder are usually sprinkled on the goat meat to increase the spice factor. Garlic, onions, and ground black pepper are other ingredients that are used to make this dish even more delicious. The meal is often served with rice and potatoes, but you can choose to order other sides if you’d like.
You may be stuck at home this winter, but you can still create a tropical experience for yourself by ordering any of these tasty meals, or even trying to make a few at home. Eating food that’s inspired by tropical cuisine can help you get through the winter with a better mindset and bring some heat to an otherwise cold day.
