The pleasures of tropical flavors come together in this Bahamian-inspired menu. Enjoy!

Orange Avocado Salad 

Quiche with Three Cheeses

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4-6
2 navel oranges, peeled, cut into wedges
2 Hass avocados, sliced lengthwise
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1⁄3 c. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. rice or white wine vinegar
6 c. arugula
3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

In a bowl, combine oranges, avocado and onion. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, honey, lemon and vinegar. Season with pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over avocado and oranges and toss. Serve arugula on plates with avocado orange salad on top. Finish with crumbled goat cheese.

Pan-Seared Grouper with

a Banana Citrus Sauce

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 6
2 lbs. grouper filets, skinned and boned
½ c. all purpose flour
½ tsp. paprika
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. fresh cracked pepper
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. sherry
2 tsp. grated orange rind
1⁄3 c. freshly-squeezed orange juice
2 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 bananas, halved and sliced on diagonal

Combine flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Dredge the filets in the flour and shake loose excess flour. Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Sauté filets 5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Reduce heat to medium. Add sherry and next 4 ingredients. Simmer until reduced, add bananas and sauté another 3 minutes. Pour sauce over filets.

Caramelized Tropical

Fruit Trifle

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 8-10 minutes
Serves: 6
1 purchased angel food cake,
torn into 2-inch pieces
2 c. fresh pineapple, cubed
2 bananas, sliced diagonally
1 mango, peeled, pitted, cubed
2⁄3 c. brown sugar, packed
¼ c. butter
¼ c. plus 2 Tbsp. dark rum
1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
or ¼ tsp. ground
1 c. whipping cream, chilled
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add brown sugar and ¼ cup rum and ginger, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened about 4 minutes. Add fruit and stir to coat. Pour fruit into a shallow baking pan and broil 4 minutes. Combine cream, vanilla and remaining rum. Beat with electric mixer on high just until stiff. In a trifle dish layer cake, fruit and cream, repeating and finishing with whipped cream.

Bahamian-Inspired

Peas and Rice

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 35-40 minutes
Serves: 4-6
2 c. brown or white rice
4 scallions, sliced
1 c. frozen green peas, thawed
1⁄3 c. pecans, toasted, chopped
¼ c. butter
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. hot sauce (such as Tiger or Cholulla)
½ tsp. kosher salt

Cook rice according to package instructions. Add 2 Tbsp. butter and peas and keep warm. In a skillet, heat remaining butter and olive oil over medium high heat. Add pecans and toast about 7 minutes. Add scallions, sauté 2 minutes. Toss pecans and peas into rice, season with hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste.

Carrie Hanna is the author of Florida’s Backyard, a collection of original recipes. To order the book, call 800-839-8640 or visit carriehanna.com.