Island-Inspired Recipes for Your Book Club Meeting

Tequila-Bloody Mary Cherry Tomatoes with Margarita Dipping Salt

With or without alcohol, these tomatoes will deliver a burst of flavor.

Banana-Papaya Salsa

This sweet salsa will be a hit with everyone in your book club.

Yucca Crisps

They taste like potato chips—only crispier! Serve with salsa or guacamole.

Crabmeat Shooters Quintana

Martini glasses make dramatic containers for spicy crabmeat and bell pepper "shooters."

Lobster Salad with Mango and Avocado

Lobster. Avocado. Mango. Enough said!

Mango Couscous

Sweetened with mango, this boldly colored couscous tastes as bright as it looks. Serve over lettuce for a sumptuous salad.

Chilled Melon, Cucumber and Coconut Milk Soup

This soup works perfectly as a cooling appetizer or intermezzo to spicy or curried main dishes.

Tortilla Soup

Mild, fruity ancho chilies—the dried form of poblanos—are the sweetest of all dried chilies.chips—only crispier! Serve with salsa or guacamole.

Citrus Pomegranate Chicken over Whole Wheat Couscous

This chicken's got it all—sweetness, tang and a bevy of nutrients.

Tropical Pork Roast with Black Beans

Alive with the flavors of the Caribbean, this pork roast has a tart citrus sauce.

Grilled Shrimp with Mango Salsa

This is an easy dish to make for company—and works great in leftovers!

Tequila-Lime Chicken Brochettes

Make these delicious skewers ahead of time for an easy main dish.

Ropa Vieja

This Cuban stew will have everyone asking for more.

Banana Beignets with Pineapple Carpaccio and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

After having this dessert, you won't know which part to ask for more of—the homemade ice cream or the beignets.

Champagne Mangoes with Raspberry Coulis and Cardamom Shortbread

The mangoes in this dish will smell as delicious as they taste.

Bananas in Lime Juice with Coconut Sorbet and Berries

Imagine yourself on a sunny beach as you eat this cool treat.

Coconut Cake with Fluffy Icing

This fluffy cake looks like it floated right down from heaven!

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are cinnamony, sugar-dusted and addictive—bet you can't eat just one!

Mango Cocktail

Cool and refreshing, this drink is a perfect complement to a spicy meal.

Pomegranate Daquiris

Greet your guests with glasses of these bright pomegranate daiquiris.

Mojitos

Nothing says "tropical getaway" like a mojito!