ChefsBuzz - Healthy Recipes & World Cuisines

For everyone who loves the flavors of the Caribbean, this festive cake has it all. Two layers of coconut-flavored cake are filled with sweet pineapple curd and topped with creamy coconut frosting, chunks of fresh pineapple and toasted coconut.

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Ingredients

Cake
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour, preferably white whole-wheat (See Ingredient Note)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk or milk
2 tablespoons coconut rum or dark rum
2 teaspoons coconut extract
3 large eggs, separated (reserve 2 yolks for pineapple curd)

Pineapple Curd
2 large egg yolks
1 6-ounce can pineapple juice (3/4 cup)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 teaspoons cornstarch

Frosting & Garnish
12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon coconut extract or rum
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups finely diced fresh pineapple, divided
2 tablespoons toasted coconut (see Kitchen Tip)

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This simple, fresh-tasting salad adds delicious variety to grilled foods, such as salmon, halibut, chicken or pork. Browning the corn in a skillet gives it a nutty, caramelized flavor that contrasts with the sweetness of the mango.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (from 3 ears)
1 large ripe mango (about 1 pound), peeled and diced
1 15-ounce or 19-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 small canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (see Ingredient Note), drained and chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Full of spice and exotic flavors, this Cuban take on the classic Spanish paella is an easy way to feed a hungry crowd. Don’t worry if you have leftovers. They can easily be rewarmed in a microwave or combined with eggs to make a Spanish tortilla (omelet); or for a great cold dish, toss the leftover rice with cooked vegetables and a vinaigrette made with lime juice instead of vinegar.

Ingredients

1/4 cup paprika
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons rum (optional)
2 teaspoons minced garlic plus 2 tablespoons chopped garlic, divided
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork chops (3/4-1 inch thick), trimmed, cut into cubes
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups arborio rice or short-grain brown rice
2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (see Note) [missing note]
16 large raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined (optional)
2 cups frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, or cooked green beans, fresh or frozen, thawed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, cut into strips

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