Jerk Chicken and Vegetable Skewers with Mango Salsa Ingredients :
• 3 chicken breasts , chopped into bite sized pieces ( swap for tofu to make this recipe vegan )
• 3 tsp jerk seasoning
• Juice 1 lime
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion , quartered
• 1 courgette , cut into 3cm chunks
• 1 yellow pepper , cut into 4cm chunks
For the salsa :
• 320g mango chunks , diced
• 1 red pepper , deseeded and diced
• Bunch spring onions , finely chopped
• 1 red chilli , diced
Method :
1 . Combine the chicken / tofu with the jerk seasoning , lime juice olive oil and marinate in fridge for a minimum of 20 mins , or up to 24 hours .
2 . Create your salsa by combining all ingredients together and season to taste .
3 . Heat up your grill or barbecue and thread your chicken , red onion , yellow pepper , and courgette onto metal skewers .
4 . Cook for 10 minutes on each side until cooked through and charred . 5 . Serve with some couscous salad and enjoy .
Charred Vegetable and Couscous Salad Ingredients :
• 3 red peppers , deseeded and cut into large chunks
• 4 baby aubergines , each sliced lengthways into three
• 3 yellow peppers , deseeded and cut into large chunks
• 2 red onions , peeled and cut into large chunks
• 2 courgettes , cut into 3cm chunks
• 6 tbsp olive oil
• cloves garlic , diced
• 1 / 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp chilli flakes ( optional )
• 250g couscous
• 400ml vegetable stock
• Salt and pepper to taste
Method :
1 . Combine the olive oil , garlic , basil , chilli flakes and lemon juice , then add in red peppers , baby aubergines , yellow peppers , red onions and courgettes and allow to marinade for 30 minutes .
2 . Meanwhile , place the couscous in a bowl and pour over boiling vegetable stock , cover and leave for 5 minutes .
3 . Brush the barbecue with oil and grill the marinated vegetables for about 10-12 minutes until tender and lightly charred all over .
4 . Fluff up the couscous and combine with grilled vegetables , serve and enjoy .
WHAT TO DO :
Other than sip on delicious drinks , eat some good food and catch up with your nearest and dearest , there ’ s not an awful lot anyone needs to ‘ do ’ at a summer garden party , and there ’ s nothing worse than a forced schedule of games . That said , you need to set the scene and give people the option to have a laugh if they want to . Make sure there ’ s space suitable for a bit of a boogie if you have known movers and shakers among your peers .
Next , music . Compile your party playlist well ahead of time – for the musically challenged among us , there ’ s lots of inspiration and pre-prepared playlists that you can legally pinch from streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud . Make sure you ’ re plugged into a good speaker too .
It won ’ t do you any harm to hire a karaoke machine . They ’ re a relatively cheap option ( you ’ ll probably be able to borrow one if you ask around ) and can simply be set up somewhere to be pounced on as and when your guests may feel the need to belt out a bit of Meatloaf , before they launch into an existential debate about what on earth it was he wouldn ’ t do for love .
When day becomes night and the party ’ s over , pack your guests off into taxis ( pre-booked taxis ; you ’ ll thank us for that ) and slam the door shut . You ’ ve done it . Sling your shoes off , kick back with one for the road , and don ’ t , under any circumstances look at the mess they ’ ve made of your garden ( and probably parts of your house too ) – it ’ s a party ; give yourself a break and tidy up in the morning .
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