Jamaican Jerk Eggplant Steaks and Rasta Pasta

Cold outside?

Let's turn up the heat! 

Here's some sizzlin' JAMAICAN JERK EGGPLANT STEAKS & RASTA PASTA

You can use store bought Jerk Sauce 

or spice things up with our fresh homemade version (highly recommended!)

Homemade Jerk Sauce:

2 tablespoons canola oil

4 fresh garlic cloves, minced

2 scallions- using both white and green parts - rinsed & minced

1 teaspoon ceylon cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground  Jamaican allspice (can sub for regular Allspice if needed)

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/8 teaspoon lime zest

3 tablespoons coconut aminos (can sub soy sauce if needed)

1 tablespoons maple syrup (can substitute with honey or date syrup)

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl, to use as your marinade.

Set aside during eggplant prep

2 medium sized eggplant - peeled and sliced vertically into thick 'steaks'

brush a thick coating of marinade on each side (save some jerk sauce for your rasta pasta)

Indoor grill or pan-  medium heat - add olive oil and grill/pan fry steaks- 7 minutes per side.

While the 'steaks' are cookin'........... 

let's time it out perfectly alongside the delectable

RASTA PASTA

16 oz pasta - penne, ziti, rigatoni, or something similarly shaped

red, yellow, and green bell peppers, sliced into thin strips

1 scallion, sliced diagonal- green parts only

1 can of full fat coconut milk

2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1/2 cup vegetable stock

cook pasta according to package instructions

while pasta water boils and pasta cooks, add vegetable stock to bottom of saute pan 

add minced garlic, scallions, and bell peppers - stir occasionally

simmer until stock is halfway gone, add coconut milk and 3 tablespoons of jerk sauce

cover and simmer, stirring occasionally - until pasta from other pot is ready.

Drain pasta, do not rinse. Add to your cream sauce and stir all together.

By now your 'steaks' should also be ready.  Plate your steak and pasta and serve. Savor the mouthwatering MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm goodness!!!!