Follow these steps for perfect results
vanilla bean
cut lengthwise and seeds scraped out
brown sugar
rum
pineapple
peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
butter
melted
butter
melted
Australian lobster tails
Bijol
Cuban spice mix
Salt
pepper
freshly ground
mango
peeled and diced small
papaya
diced small
water chestnuts
julienned
red bell pepper
diced small
carrots
shredded
bamboo sprouts
quartered
chives
finely chopped
purple cabbage
chopped
Lime Mayo Vinaigrette
Pineapple Chips
fresh coconut
shredded and toasted
sugar cane
Bijol
Cuban spice mix
Sea salt
pepper medley
fresh ground
butter
melted
lime
zested and juiced
orange
zested and juiced
lemon
zested and juiced
shrimp
lime juice
fresh squeezed
mango
pureed
citrus honey
shallots
chopped
cilantro leaves
virgin olive oil
Salt
pepper
simple syrup
pineapple
coconut water
sugar
vanilla pod
split and scraped
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Mix vanilla seed, sugar, and rum together in a large bowl.
Add the pineapple and marinate for 15 minutes.
Cook pineapple with melted butter in large pan over medium-high heat in batches until pineapple has caramelized.
Cool and cut into small diced pieces.
Set aside.
Cut lobster tails lengthwise and crack shell.
Pull out meat but keep tail attached at tail end.
Season with Bijol, salt, and pepper.
Brush lobster with butter.
Roast lobster until cooked, approximately 15 minutes, basting with butter a few times.
Cool lobster and dice.
Combine lobster, pineapple, mango, papaya, water chestnuts, red pepper, carrots, bamboo shoots, chives, and cabbage and mix gently with 1/4 cup of the Lime Mango dressing.
Preheat a grill.
Cut sugar cane into 4 skewers, about 4 to 5 inches long.
Season sugar cane with Bijol, salt, and pepper.
Mix butter, zest, and fruit juice then brush shrimp with butter mixture.
Grill shrimp, basting with butter mixture until shrimp is fully cooked.
Place 3 to 4 pineapple chips on bottom of plate and place coconut in center of chips.
Fill coconut with salad.
Garnish with lengthwise chips and pineapple leaves.
Spoon a tablespoon of dressing on each plate.
Lean shrimp skewer against coconut and plate at an angle.
Start the lime mayo vinaigrette by adding everything from lime juice to cilantro and blend using a burr mixer, hand held electric mixer or whisk.
Slowly add in oil while continuing to blend.
Season lime mayo vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
For the pineapple chips: Peel and cut the pineapple in half width-wise.
Cut small wedges out of the pineapple to create thin flower slices.
Cut other half lengthwise to remove the core.
Dip pineapple slices into simple syrup and place on a silicone mat or parchment paper on a sheet pan at 200 degrees in oven for about 4 hours until dried out to create chips.
Bring all simple syrup ingredients to a simmer in a small saucepan.
When the sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Remove the vanilla bean.
Expert advice for the best results
Toast the coconut flakes until golden brown for enhanced flavor.
Marinate the shrimp for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor.
Use sugar cane skewers for presentation
Adjust the amount of Bijol spice according to your preference.
Everything you need to know before you start
20 minutes
The salad can be made a few hours in advance. Grill shrimp just before serving.
Elegant, tropical presentation. Use pineapple leaves as garnish.
Serve as an appetizer or light lunch.
Pair with a side of coconut rice.
Pairs well with the sweetness and acidity of the salad.
Complementary Cuban flavors.
Discover the story behind this recipe
Reflects Cuban culinary traditions with tropical ingredients and citrus flavors.
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