Moroccan Marinade with Chipotle Salad
The Moroccan Marinade is one of our go to summer recipes. We love getting fresh mint and cilantro from the garden, garlic and lime juice, cumin and just a hint of spice. It’s amazing how the marinade transforms Carne Asada, Chicken Tenders, Shrimp and Fish. Sere it with a big Chipotle Salad and you’ll be ready to host the loveliest of summer dinners.
I know how hard it is to be brave and invite friends over. It’s why we love sharing our favorite delicious recipes and hosting tips! All so we can help you get over the hurdle of doubt. When you're starting anything new there is so much room for doubt, so if hosting is new for you just expect the doubt to come. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it! I'm so grateful that when the first notion popped into my mind to host our first Freedom Dinner - I was surrounded by friends and my husband who said 'Go for it!' I was so nervous when I sent out the first invitation on Facebook. What if no-one said yes? What if they thought I was crazy to think people would want to come to my house for dinner and give a donation? All of the ‘what ifs’ crop up whenever we do anything new. I've learned to hear them and then say 'Go for it… give it a try and see'
It's why I wrote Dream Catcher, because I knew there were so many people with hopes and dreams sitting on their hearts that had been silenced by the ‘What Ifs’ and doubts.
And then get ready for the everyday life of making dreams happen. Living out the idea and dream looks really normal. The beautiful photos of what our events, dinners and workshops are today started out really normal with tables that didn't match, borrowing dishes and goblets, figuring out how to create a website and mailing lists, learning new systems and being brave to ask for help. There's a lot of everyday baby steps as you tend and grow a dream. And they're all worth it because they help your shaky legs get stronger.
As you grow in your confidence I challenge you to also grow your community. Not every endeavor is paid, not every dream should become a business so this is not about hiring people or growing big businesses - this is about growing the circle of people that surround you, support you, cheer you on and believe in you. When I look at all we do now with the Freedom Dinners it makes me get teary eyed because there is a deep well of gratitude for everyone who has seen what we're doing and chosen to be apart. It blesses my heart, and even more so is making generational impacts on the women and children we're all supporting through Atlas Free.
Our little orchard, our normal kitchen, our garden, is doing such beautiful work because of one small invitation that we sent out 9 years ago and the willingness to keep on keeping on, inviting, welcoming, scrubbing tables, planting flowers, washing dishes and inviting more and more people to join us.
There is no overnight, microwave way to grow a dream. It takes time, longevity and seasons of growth and rest, creativity and a whole lot of very normal days that could be called mundane. All of it leads to the bigger dream of hosting more Freedom Dinners and inspiring more communities to host their own! Enjoy this recipe we served at one of our Freedom Dinners and if you make it, tag us on @kellywelk on instagram!
Thank you Kitsap Fresh for donating the locally grown produce that was in season so we could serve this at our dinner!
MOROCCAN MARINADE
Ingredients:
1 bunch cilantro
4 sprigs fresh mint
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Zest from 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 pound chicken tenders (You can also substitute flank steak, carne asada or shrimp or tilapia.)
Directions:
Pulse all of the ingredients except the meat in a food processor until the cilantro is completely minced and all ingredients are well combined. Place the meat and marinade in a gallon-sized plastic storage bag. Massage the bag, mixing it around until the meat is completely covered with the marinade. Chill for at least two hours or overnight. Grill and then serve!
This entrée is perfect atop the chipotle salad with a side of fresh corn muffins! Our favorite corn muffin recipe is in our book Dinner Changes Everything. Kelly's Amazon Lists has all our tried and true kitchen and baking tools as well!
FOR THE SALAD:
Ingredients:
1 head romaine lettuce
1/2 small red cabbage, shredded
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
4-5 radishes, thinly sliced
1/2 English cucumber, sliced
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a large serving bowl, toss together, and serve with the Chipotle Salad Dressing (see below) on the side so your guests can add it to taste. Additional optional toppings to serve on the side could include fire-roasted corn, tortilla chips, and cotija cheese. Enjoy!
CHIPOTLE SALAD DRESSING:
Ingredients:
2/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
Juice from 1 lime (plus more to taste)
Chipotle hot sauce to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and blend until combined. Add more lime juice, hot sauce, or salt to taste.
If you make this, tag me @kellywelk on instagram!
Kelly's Amazon Lists - Upcoming Events - Workshops - Book: Dinner Changes Everything - @ciderpresslane
In addition to the funds raised at The Freedom Dinners, we donate 10% of all profits from Ciderpress Lane to continue the freedom giving work of Atlas Free
