Cooking for Real Season 7 Episode 11 Hot Island Flavors

In Cooking for Real season 7 episode 11, titled "Hot Island Flavors," host Sunny Anderson takes viewers on a culinary journey to the Caribbean. Sunny explores the vibrant flavors of the islands, showcasing dishes that feature the region's bold spices and fresh ingredients. Throughout the episode, she shares tips for recreating these island-inspired meals in your own kitchen.

Sunny begins by preparing a Grilled Jerk Chicken, a spicy and flavorful dish that is popular throughout the Caribbean. She starts by marinating chicken thighs in a homemade jerk seasoning, which includes a blend of spices like allspice, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. After grilling the chicken to perfection, Sunny serves it alongside a refreshing Mango Salsa, which adds a tangy-sweet contrast to the spiciness of the chicken.

Next up, Sunny whips up a batch of Fried Plantains, a staple side dish in many Caribbean cuisines. She demonstrates how to ripen and slice plantains so they're perfectly ripe for frying. After frying the plantains until they are golden and caramelized, Sunny serves them alongside a tangy Lime Crema for dipping.

For her third dish, Sunny prepares a Shrimp and Pineapple Stir Fry, which showcases the delicious pairing of sweet pineapple with savory shrimp. She cooks up a quick stir fry with peppers, onions, and garlic before adding in the shrimp and pineapple. To finish off the dish, Sunny adds a touch of heat with some chili flakes.

Sunny's final dish is a Caribbean-inspired Mango Upside-Down Cake. She starts by caramelizing slices of fresh mango in a cast iron skillet before pouring the cake batter over them. After baking the cake in the oven, Sunny flips it over to reveal the beautiful caramelized mango topping. She serves it warm with a dollop of whipped cream.

Throughout the episode, Sunny provides useful tips for cooking with Caribbean flavors and ingredients. From choosing the right plantains to seasoning with jerk spice, Sunny offers guidance and inspiration for adding some hot island flair to your own cooking.