The wonderful bottle of brine from Sweetwater Spice Company, included in the MARY’s secret ingredients spring box, makes for a super easy way to tenderize and flavor meats. You would have either received the Tres Chilies Fajita Bath or the Pineapple Habanero Jerk BBQ Bath Brine. Both of these flavors are great to make spicy brined chicken and pork or even seafood. If you didn’t order a spring box, you can click on their ad on the right rail here and go directly to their website and order some bottles.
We have received amazing positive and enthusiastic comments and reviews on the box. Such excitement! You can see those reviews here:
http://subscriptionboxmania.weebly.com/1/post/2014/05/marys-secret-ingredients-april-2014.html
http://www.hangingoffthewire.com/2014/05/marys-secret-ingredients-box-may-2014.html
http://www.subscriptionboxmom.com/2014/05/marys-secret-ingredients.html
http://shouldibuythisbox.wordpress.com/2014/05/07/marys-secret-ingredient-spring-2014/
http://2littlerosebuds.com/2014/05/06/marys-secret-ingredients-msi-culinary-box-review-discount-code/
http://www.ramblingsofasuburbanmom.com/2014/05/spring-2014-marys-secret-ingredients-review/
http://modernmommyfiles.com/2014/05/marys-secret-ingredients-box-may-2104/
Best of all, sales of boxes help to feed hungry children worldwide as 10% of our annual profits will be donated to Feed The Children. Because of these great reviews, the summer box is selling fast, as well as the other seasons too, so if you want to get in on the fun, place your order now. Use the promo code 4LOVE when checking out for $4.00 off for a total cost of $21.95.
Using the Austin, Texas, Sweetwater Spice Company brines, I created this wonderful dinner salad by marinating skinless, boneless chicken breasts in the Pineapple Habanero Jerk Brine and then grilling them. The beauty of this product is that the brining time (30 minutes) is quick and the results produce really juicy flavorful meat. This is not a sweet dish, don’t let the pineapple in the name fool you. It is spicy with just a hint of pineapple on the back end. Here’s the recipe, super easy – use any leftover vegetables you have or grill some fresh.
PINEAPPLE HABANERO JERK GRILLED CHICKEN ON A SALAD – serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, washed, dried and trimmed of all fat
Sweetwater Spice Company Pineapple Habanero Jerk BBQ Bath Brine – follow instructions on the bottle to dilute the brine and marinate for 30 minutes or more. Do not strain the spices and add on unless you like things super firey hot!
Boston lettuce, washed and air dried
Radicchio leaves, washed and air dried
2 vine ripened tomatoes, cored and washed
16 asparagus spears, washed and trimmed of woody stem parts
1/2 lb. okra, washed and tops trimmed
2 tbs. olive oil
Vidalia or other sweet onion, very thinly sliced
Croutons – homemade preferably
Sherry vinaigrette salad dressing
Marinate chicken in the brine for 30 minutes or more – up to 2 hours.
Wash and dry the lettuce and radicchio. Toss asparagus and okra in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cut the tomatoes into wedges. Make the salad dressing. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Discard brine. Grill the chicken until just done. Let rest for 5 -10 minutes before slicing on an angle. While the chicken is resting, grill the vegetables until nicely done.
Arrange the lettuce and radicchio on the plates. Place the grilled vegetables, tomatoes and the sliced onions on the sides, leaving the center area clear for the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts and place in the middle. Scatter croutons on top. Drizzle dressing overall to taste. Serve with LOVE.
Just look at how juicy that chicken is!
I also used the Tres Chilies Fajita Bath to brine big thick pork chops and they turned out divine! I brined them for 3 hours and grilled them – really wonderful!
Jovina Coughlin says
I really like this idea of using my bottle of brine for some grilled chicken. I bet it makes for a great tasting salad. I am, however, looking forward to using the brine on some gorgeous ribs I have for a Memorial Day BBQ.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Party Time Appetizers
Mary Frances says
Sounds wonderful Jovina!! Please let me know how it works out.
William Allan McLeod says
As usual, Mary, these look absolutely too divine for words.
Mary Frances says
Thanks Allan – you’re sweet!! (not spicy!)
Liz says
Lucky me to have the fajita brine in my fridge! I immediately made fajitas, but now want to make this salad!!! It looks fantastic!
Mary Frances says
Hi Liz!! I trust your fajitas were great! Hopefully you also had a chance to make this salad.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Oh my gosh – you know how much I love SPICE! You have habanero jerk in that – I am sssooo in! YES!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Creamy Chicken Soup with Farro
Mary Frances says
Yes Kristi – the habanero jerk has a real kick – you should get some of this brine. I guarantee you will LOVE it!
ela@GrayApron says
Brine can make a big difference…but I don’t pay it enough attention. Thanks for a tasty remainder. Chicken does look juicy and fantastic!
🙂 ela
Mary Frances says
So true – for flavor, tenderness, and juiciness!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I see meals like this on your blog and then wonder how the heck you have time to get meals like this made after working long hours at your business. However you do it, this is incredible.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Mother’s Day the IGA Way
Mary Frances says
Well actually I used leftover vegetables and croutons on this salad, so it was a real breeze. Truth be told, it’s pretty selfish. I want to eat great food and we can’t afford to eat out every night so somebody’s got to make it and that somebody is me!
Lidia says
Wow! That chicken and pork looks so tender and juicy! Perfect!
Lidia recently posted…S’Mores Cake for a Birthday Girl
Mary Frances says
It was really great Lidia – you should try this brine!
Margot | Gather and Graze says
This looks absolutely delicious Mary!
Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…Roasted Honey and Walnut Figs
Mary Frances says
Thanks Margot!! 🙂
Kumar's Kitchen says
Mary, this dish looks perfect for having a summer fiesta…the flavors of pineapple and such succulent grilled chicken together is scrumptious,your recipes are inspiring 🙂
Kumar’s Kitchen recently posted…Home-Style Daal : Bowlfuls Of Pleasure Everyday
Mary Frances says
Thanks Kumar!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Nancy@SpicieFoodie says
We love, love habanero peppers. Your recipe would be loved by everyone in my family! Thanks for sharing.:)
Nancy@SpicieFoodie recently posted…Grilled Argentine Chorizo over Corn-Quinoa Pasta
Mary Frances says
Then you should definitely buy every flavor of this brine. You will LOVE it!
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
That chicken breast looks so very succulent and tender! Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing, Mary.
Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Coeur de Boeuf Salad with Balsamico Cream and Argan Oil
Mary Frances says
It was YUMMY!!
Barb Bamber says
I really enjoyed brined poultry and meats! My niece and her husband brined a turkey for us one year and it was the best turkey dinner ever:)xx
Mary Frances says
Yes!! Brining turkey is great – you just have to make sure you’ve got something big enough to put it in and then have space in the fridge!