Fish, Made the Right Way
If Escovitch just wasn't your thing, no worries mon. We've got something just as tasty for you to try out instead.
Jamaican Steam Fish.
Beautiful, tender, Red Snapper fillets. Perfectly crispy vegetables The tempting aromatics of scotch bonnet peppers. All combine to create a symphony of culinary experience that your mouth will thank you for.
Traditionally, this is made using a whole fish and wouldn't be served alongside sweet potatoes, but you only live once, right? Besides, many of the "ingredients" are optional, and the cooking instructions are quick and easy.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 Red Snapper fillets (approx 8oz each)
1 sachet of Maggi Fish Seasoning (approx. 1 1/2 TBSP)
3 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
1/4 onion, diced
1/2 cho cho (aka chayote), peeled and sliced thinly
Handful of okra (approx. 10)
1 scallion, chopped
1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole (chopped, for more spice)
Sprigs fresh thyme (approx. 4)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 Tablespoon butter
1/2 lemon or lime
Salt and Pepper
5 grains of pimento (optional)
1/2 sweet potato, cubed (optional)
2 mini bammys (optional)
Avocado, sliced (optional)
Hot water (approx. 2-3 cups)
1/2 cup milk
Instructions:
Prepare all ingredients (most time-consuming part), then rinse fillets in water and lime juice before seasoning.
Add sweet potatoes to boiling water, and cook, just until tender.
If using commercialized bammy, soak bammy in milk, then sprinkle with salt. (If using Jah Manna bammy, disregard this step.)
In a pan, melt a 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil and the butter over medium heat, then cook onions and garlic, until carmelized.
Add cho cho to pan, plus enough hot water to cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until cho cho appears translucent.
Then add scallion, thyme, okra, pimento, and scotch bonnet. Mix, then add salt and pepper, cover, and cook for 1 minute.
Add fillets atop the vegetables, and cook, COVERED, until center appears opaque, 6-10 minutes, adding hot water as needed.
Finally, cook bammy in greased pan, with remaining olive oil, covered, for 3-5 minutes per side. (If using Jah Manna bammy, disregard this step.)
There you have it, a delicious, gluten-free, grain-free main dish! Not only does the snapper lend a light, delicate flavor, but the vegetables combine to give it immense depth.
Side Note:
Do not try to eat the pimentos, since they are just for flavor. :)
