X Marks the Spot

A true pirate adventure often concludes with buried treasure.

The final pirate recipe for this week has just that.

After scavenging through my galley, I created this fun and delicious recipe that had my crew asking for more.

Carrot coins, golden corn, and Kale provide a treasure both visually and nutritiously.  By using brown rice you enjoy a healthier option that adds great flavor.

You can easily change the ingredients depending on the loot in your pantry or to suit the preference of your favorite pirate.

Buried Treasure Fried Rice

• 
  Sauté Onions Until Translucent
  2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 6 carrots peeled, cut into coins
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 6 cups fresh kale, stems removed, chopped
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 2 TBSP low sodium soy sauce
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 8 cups cooked brown rice
• 4 green onion for garnish
• 2 baby ears of corn for garnish

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium heat, add onion and sauté until onions are translucent on edges.

Add carrots and cook until slightly tender.  Add corn, kale, and chicken.  Season with soy sauce and black pepper;  gradually crumble in the brown rice, stirring as you do so to evenly distribute the rice in the vegetable blend.

Continue to stir as it cooks until rice is heated through.  Taste and add more soy sauce, if needed.

Arrange on serving platter in a skull shape and pull together a few pieces of the kale to form the eyes and nose.  Use the corn for the mouth and add the green onions as the cross bones.

Pirate Events

Perhaps the most well-known Pirate Festival in Florida, Gasparilla Fest is held yearly in Tampa.  The next extravaganza will be held January 21, 2012.  The event features a parade, a brunch at the Convention Center, fireworks and a street festival, but the most memorable part of the day is the Pirate Invasion when the tall-masted Jose Gasparilla pirate ship enters Hillsborough Bay with cannons booming and flags unfurled.  It’s always an exciting weekend, so if you’re planning to attend the festival, you’ll want to make hotel reservations early.

Closer to home, the 4th Annual St. Augustine Pirate Gathering will be held October 28-30 of this year.   “Visitors are encouraged to dress as pirates and join the Krewe of the  Black Heart and Ancient City Privateers in weapons demonstrations, sailor’s encampment and a pirate mutiny.”  The festivities also include a Thieves Market, pirates telling stories of the high seas, and a Matey’s play area for the little ones.

But if you’re eager to eat your bounty, remember all of the recipes featured during pirate week.  They’re sure to create a memorable feast for you and your crew, right in your own home.

Pirate Recipes:   Drunken Chicken, Low Country Boil,  and Pirate Bars

More Pirate Loot

Pirate Books

• Pirate Aprons
• Pirate Mugs
• Pirate Treasure
• Pirate Flags
• Pirate Jewelry
• Pirate Apparel

…AND don’t forget to check the coupon page for special offers on entertainment and travel, as well as coupons on store items.