Seafood Archives - Page 9 of 21

Cassava With Stewed Smoked Herring.

June 19, 2021June 19, 20211 Comment

This is yet another one of those “boil and fry” dishes (I’ve shared a few to date) we enjoy throughout the Caribbean. Food we inherited from our ancestors who made use of the land and with limited resources, made incredible meals. Cassava (aka yuca or manioc) was something we always had growing in our kitchen garden growing up, so it’s presence in soups, baked treats, breads and in dishes like this, was the norm. FYI on some islands smoked herring is known as red herrings.

You’ll Need…

2 lbs cassava
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 lb smoked herring fillets
1/2 large onion (sliced)
10-12 grape tomatoes (any tomato will work)
2 scallions (chopped)
4-6 cloves garlic (smashed)
4-6 sprigs thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 scotch bonnet pepper (sliced)
3 tablespoon olive oil
2 -3 tablespoon butter

Important! I used frozen cassava, which I cooked according to the package directions. I also used smoked herring fillets which were cleaned (skin, head etc removed) and main center bone removed, however it did have some tiny bones. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

Place the frozen cassava in a deep pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the salt and reduce to a rolling boil and cook until tender. For this brand of frozen cassava it takes about 20 minutes to cook. If using fresh cassava, peel, cut into pieces and bring to a boil in the salted water – adjust cooking time accordingly. To test for doneness, simply stick a sharp knife though a thick piece and if there’s no resistance, they are ready.

As the cassava boils, I boiled water in my kettle and poured over the herring fillets in a deep bowl. This will help to do a few things, hydrate them, remove some of the salt, along with excess smoke. Let it sit in the water until it’s cool enough to handle.

Drain the cassava and set it aside to cool as we have to prepare it a bit further.

The herrings should be cool enough to touch. Here is where you need gloves or the scent of that smoky fish will remains on your hands for a while. Drain the water, rinse with cool water and squeeze dry. Now shred and in doing so if you see any tough bones, remove and discard. There will be some tiny (flexible) ones, those can remain as they should not pose a choking hazard.

In a large pan/pot, heat the olive oil (any oil you like cooking with will work) on a medium flame, then add the onion, garlic, scotch bonnet, black pepper, scallions and thyme. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes. (Please watch the video below as I speak about Scotch Bonnet Peppers)

4 minutes later, it’s time to add the prepared smoked herrings to the pot and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the tomato and 1/2 of the parsley. Mix well.

The cassava will be cool, (watch the video below) so it’s time to chop it up into 1 inch pieces and remove the woody center and discard.

Now toss the cut cassava into the pot and stir well, so the cassava picks up all that lovely smoked herring flavor and cook for 3 minutes. Add the butter to give the finished dish a bit of rich creamy flavor and toss in the remaining parsley and you’re done!

I consider this one of the classics when it comes to Caribbean culinary culture and it brings me much joy to not only share this one with you, but to enjoy it when I get a little homesick for the islands.

This is a complete dish, but you can always start with a side salad if you wish. Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Stewed Cabbage With Shrimp.

July 20, 2021June 14, 20213 Comments

“Hey I know you, you’re the guy from YouTube! My boyfriend sent me the video you did with Shrimp and Cabbage a few days ago.. excellent recipe” Met a young lady the other day at the Caribbean Grocers in Mississauga and she was excited to tell me that she enjoys my recipe videos. Always nice to meet people who test-drive my recipes with success. Gone are the days when cabbage is supposed to be bland and give you gas… this is guaranteed to be a HIT in your home.

You’ll Need…

1 lb medium shrimp (cleaned + deveined)
3/4 tablespoon salt (divided)
1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
1 medium onion (sliced)
1/2 lime or lemon for washing the shrimp
4 cloves garlic (crushed)
2-3 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 heaping tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
2 tablespoon water
1/2 medium Cabbage (shredded)
8 grape tomatoes (optional)
1 Wiri Wiri pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato concentrate puree
1/2 cup scallion tops (green part)

if doing this recipe gluten free please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific #glutenfree dietary requirements.

Peel, devein and wash the shrimp with cool water and the lemon juice. Drain and marinate with 1/3 of the salt, 1/2 the black pepper, curry powder, Caribbean Green Seasoning and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and give it a good mix. Set aside.

Heat a pot on a medium heat, then add the seasoned shrimp to the (dry) pot and stir. Quickly cook the shrimp for 2 minutes, then remove and set aside. Do NOT overcook the shrimp. Doing it this way will prevent that, plus give us that shrimp flavor to start with.

Add the remaining olive oil to the pot (still on medium heat) and add the onion, remaining black pepper, garlic and wiri wiri pepper (cut to release the heat) . Turn the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes.

Then move things from the center of the pot and add the tomato paste and stir well. We want that paste to get in contact with the hot pot to help it caramelize and go sweet. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the grated ginger and stir well.

Now turn the heat back up to medium and add the shredded cabbage. Should you prefer the cabbage more chunky – rock chunky. Stir as you add. Then add the remaining salt.

In the same bowl you marinated the shrimp, swish around the water and add it to the pot to help create a bit of steam. Here is where I added the tomatoes (optional as I was clearing out the fridge).

Seven minutes later the cabbage was the texture I like cabbage (slight crunch, cook more if you want), now is where we add back the shrimp we cooked earlier (including any juices) and stir. Cook for 2 minutes and you’re done. I’d recommend tasting for salt and adjust accordingly as I’m trying to cut back on my sodium intake and the recipe may reflect this.

Top with the scallions and get ready to enjoy a stunning cabbage dish with rice, roti or on sandwiches.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Outstanding Oven Roasted Fish.

June 13, 2021May 24, 2021Leave a Comment

Here’s one of those meals which takes me back to the Caribbean, but not as a child… as we never had this version of fish growing up in our house. I think the only fish dish we had which came out of the oven, was when mom made baked salmon. However, it does give a level of comfort as it reminds me of my travels throughout the Caribbean as an adult (tourist).

You’ll Need…

1 2-3 lb fish (I prefer ocean fish)
2 scallions (chopped)
1/2 medium onion (diced)
2 pimento peppers (sliced)
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoon olive oil
1 stalk celery (diced)
4 cloves garlic (divided)
10 okra (divided)
1.5 lbs pumpkin (divided – dice and sliced)
1 lemon
8 small bell peppers
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
1 teaspoon sea salt (divided)
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
6-8 sprigs thyme (divided)
1 tablespoon golden brown sugar

NOTE! If doing this dish gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your gluten free dietary requirements.

Prep the vegetables.

Lets prepare the stuffing for the fish as I want it cool before use. In a saucepan add a tablespoon and a half of olive oil, followed by the diced onion, celery (including any leaves), scallions, 1/2 the thyme (leaves only) and stir.

After 3 minutes on low heat, add 1/4 the black pepper, 1/2 the salt, 3/4 cup diced pumpkin, 1/2 the garlic, 4 okra cut into 1 cm wheels and continue cooking on low.

Add the pimento peppers (1/2 cup diced bell peppers will work too), grated ginger (the ginger will give it a peppery note) and stir well.

5 minutes and you can turn off the stove and allow it to cool.

It’s time to make the sort of dressing. Add 1/3 cup olive oil to a bowl and mix in the remaining salt, black pepper and the remaining thyme leaves, garlic and lemon juice. Whisk!

I washed and prepped my fish (pat the fish dry), then I sprayed my baking tray with cooking spray (oil). I then made made 3 cuts down the belly of the fish holding my knife on a 45 degree angle (watch the video below). Now it’s time to pour or brush on the dressing we made. Get the belly cavity and make sure some gets into the cuts we made too. For easier clean-up after may I recommend lining your baking tray with foil or parchment paper.

Now it’s time to add the ‘cooled’ stuffing we made earlier into the belly cavity of the fish. Yes, it will spill out.. we want this actually.

To make it to a full meal, it’s time add the remaining pumpkin (skin on is fine), remaining okra and tiny sweet bell peppers. Spoon on the remaining dressing to cover everything.

add a bit more salt and black pepper on top of everything if you want.

Sprinkle on the brown sugar on the pieces of pumpkin to add a bit more sweetness as it roast. I sliced the pumpkin about 1 1/2 cm thick.,

Into a 425 F (preheated) oven on the middle rack uncovered as we want to get that oven-grilled effect (char) on everything.

Feel free to sprinkle on some fresh lemon or lime juice as you take it out of the oven. This is guaranteed to become a HIT in your house. Feel free to use your fav fish in making this dish. Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

The Ultimate Shrimp Lo Mein.

June 14, 2021May 5, 20212 Comments

In places where the Chinese Indentured Laborers settled in the Caribbean after the end of slavery (to help facilitate the shortage of labor in the sugar cane fields), you’ll find that the Culinary Culture is heavily influenced by their culinary heritage. Countries like Guyana, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago to be more precise. Here’s one such dish! The perfect one pot meal in my humble opinion.

You’ll Need…

1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1/2 lime or lemon (juice)
400 g Lo Mein Noodles (I used fresh)
1 1/2 tablespoon stir fry (spicy) oil
1 1/2 tablespoon veg oil
3 cloves garlic (diced fine or crushed)
2 onions (sliced)
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/2 large red, green and orange bell pepper (cut into wedges)
10-15 mushroom (white button)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
1 1/4 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
2 scallions (chopped)

Tip! Prep the ingredients as this is a really quick dish to put together as with most stir-fry type recipes.

Peel and devein the shrimp and wash with the juice of 1/2 a lime or lemon and cool water.

Place your wok (or frying pan) on a medium flame and add the spicy chili oil.

Then add the garlic, grate in the ginger and toss in the shrimp. I left the tails on the shrimp (for presentation) but you can remove them. Stir and add the black pepper (use white pepper for a different flavor profile).

As this quickly cooks, cook your noodles according to the package directions and set aside.

2 1/2 – 3 minutes later, remove the shrimp from the wok (set aside) and add the vegetable oil back to the same wok.

Now add the bell peppers, onion, mushroom (cut in 1/2) and stir well.

2 minutes later it’s time to add your precooked noodles and mix well.

Now it’s time to add more flavors by adding the Chinese cooking wine, Hoisin sauce, Sesame oil, Oyster sauce and Soy sauce. Mix everything well to coat the noodles and vegetables. Cook for a couple minutes so the noodles absorb the sauces.

Toss in the shrimp, warm through and finish with the scallions before turning off the stove.

You’ll notice that I didn’t add any salt to this dish as I find that the sauces I added already got a sodium element to them, especially the dark soy sauce. But taste at the end and adjust to your liking.

Serve warm! Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Curry Crab With Shrimp and Potatoes.

April 18, 2021April 4, 2021Leave a Comment

Here’s a classic Caribbean Seafood Curry which will not only excite the tastebuds, but one which will get even get those picky eaters eager to be at the dinner table. Succulent shrimp, tender potatoes and a gravy rich with crab flavor, without being overbearing. NO this does not need coconut milk (but I’ll leave that up to you).

You’ll Need..

3 ocean crabs (cleaned and cut in 1/4s)
1 – 1.5 lb shrimp (large 21-25)
1 1/2 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning (divided)
3/4 tablespoon sea salt (divided) *adjust
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
6 medium potatoes (in 1/4)
3- 4 cups water
2 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 – 2 tablespoon Curry Powder
1 teaspoon ground roasted cumin (geera)
1 teaspoon Anchar masala
2 wiri wiri peppers
1 medium onion (diced)
6 cloves garlic (smashed)
1 medium tomato
2 tablespoon Shado beni (or cilantro)
* Juice of one lemon to wash the crab and shrimp

Important! If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the curry powder you use, in the event there’s any ‘filler” in it. I used Yukon Gold potatoes as I love the texture it gets when it’s cooked and breaks down (to thicken the dish), but feel free to use any variety you like.

Wash the crab and shrimp (please devein) with cool water and the lemon juice and set aside.

Deep pan on medium flame, add the olive oil followed by the garlic, onion and wiri wiri peppers (any spicy pepper you like will work). Turn the heat down to low so we don’t burn the garlic. Add the cumin seeds and stir – heat still on low.

After 4-5 minutes, add the curry powder and stir. It’s will go darker, start clumping and release a lovely scent. This sort of wet toasting will allow the spices which makes up a good curry powder, to bloom. Add the black pepper at this point. Now turn the heat to medium, stir and add 1/4 cup water to the pot. Scrape to release anything stuck to the bottom of the pot.

As the water drys up, add the Anchar Masala and roasted cumin (geera) and stir well. Yes that’s even more wicked flavors right there.

Keep stirring and get rid of all the liquid. We’re hoping to see the oil we started with. Toss in the crab at this point followed by the 1 1/4 tablespoon of the Caribbean Green seasoning and 1/2 tablespoon of the salt. Mix well. Toss in the diced tomato, that acidity will help bring balance to the dish.

Go in with the potato, stir to coat, then add the rest of the water and bring to a boil (turn up the heat).

Season the shrimp with the remaining green seasoning and salt. Set aside.

Once the pot comes to a boil, reduce the heat and cook with the lid on (slightly ajar), until the potato is tender and start breaking down.

20 minutes later and the potatoes should be fully cooked. Using your spoon crush a few pieces of the potato to help thicken the gravy and turn the heat up if you have a lot of liquid, until you get a consistency you like (remember it will thicken as it cool).

Here’s where we’ll add the season shrimp to the pot, stir in well and cook for 1-2 minutes before you turn off the stove. Let the residual heat finish cooking the shrimp or we risk over-cooking the shrimp.

Taste for salt (you will need) and adjust accordingly. Toss in the shado beni (or cilantro), cover the pot and leave it for 3-4 minutes before serving.

You now have and iconic Caribbean Seafood Curry to enjoy with your family and friends. Serve with rice or roti.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Curry Lobster With Shrimp.

April 2, 2021March 14, 20212 Comments

Seafood and Curry lovers, I got YOU! The delicious combination of wild caught shrimp and lobster claws in a CLASSIC Caribbean curry sauce… no need for coconut milk, but rock it if you feel the need. This is one of my all-time favorite way to use curry with seafood and I can guarantee it will be yours too!

You’ll Need…

1 lbs lobster claws (pre-cooked)
1 lb shrimp (shell on, deveined)
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 medium onion (diced)
1 scotch bonnet pepper (sliced)
5-7 cloves garlic (smashed)
1 medium tomato (diced)
1 heaping tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dehydrated pimento peppers flakes (optional or use fresh if you have)
1 teaspoon dehydrated Shado Beni (optional or use fresh if you have)
1 teaspoon Anchar Masala
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped fine)

Important! I used previously cooked lobster claws (on sale) in this recipe, so they only had to be reheated (after being thawed) in the curry sauce. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Especially the curry powder you decide on using. Anchar Masala can be found at your local West Indian supermarket or if you cannot source it, feel free to use roasted cumin (geera). I used dehydrated Shado Beni and Pimento Peppers (aka seasoning peppers), feel free to use cilantro (fresh) if you can’t source the Shado Beni. Fresh pimento is best IMHO, but it’s what I had on hand. However, feel free to leave it out if you cannot source it.

Thaw the Lobster claws and give them a quick rinse under cool water. I was able to get wild caught shrimp which were deveined, but had the shell on. That shell will give you great flavor. Wash with cool water and lemon juice (not mentioned in the ingredient list). Drain!

In a saucepan on medium flame, add the oil, onion and garlic. Turn the heat to low.

3 minutes later add the Scotch Bonnet pepper (as much as you can handle) and remember to wash your hands with soap and water immediately after. Habanero peppers work great in this dish as well, but you can also use your fav spicy pepper.

One minute after adding the scotch bonnet pepper, we’ll add the curry powder and move it around the pan. It will go grainy and darker. The low heat will allow us to waken up the spices which makes up the curry powder.

4 minutes later add the black pepper and turn the heat to med/high and in goes the water. Bring to a boil

Add salt, shado beni and pimento pepper, followed by the Caribbean Green Season and stir well. Then in goes the diced tomato. This tomato will help us get a thick gravy and the acid will balance the overall flavor of the dish. Reduce to a simmer.

For more flavor, add the anchar masla and continue cooking for about 4-5 minutes.

Add the shrimp and mix well.

3 minutes later, it’s time to add the lobster claws, mix well and bring to a boil (heat at medium).

2-3 minutes later it’s done, but we have to personalize things. Make sure the salt it to your liking (adjust) and the gravy to the consistency you like. Toss in the parsley, stir and you’re done!

Cooking the shrimp in it’s shell will not only add additional flavor as I mentioned above, it will also help prevent us from over-cooking the shrimp.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Coconut Stewed Shrimp.

February 22, 2021February 15, 2021Leave a Comment

It’s very rare you’ll find someone from the Islands who don’t enjoy great seafood, it’s just natural I think. Fried, grilled, stewed, curry, oven-baked, fire-roasted and in stews like this one, we’ve got so many ways to enjoy the bounty of the Caribbean Sea. Yea we even do ceviche too! Here’s one of my favorite ways to stew plump shrimp in a wicked coconut sauce. (first try and it will be your fave too)

You’ll Need…

2 lbs 21-25 shrimp (cleaned & deveined)
1 teaspoon sea salt (divided)
3 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
1 heaping tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
1 large onion (diced)
6-8 cloves garlic (crushed)
2 scallions (chopped)
1 medium tomato (diced)
4-5 sprigs thyme
3/4 teaspoon paprika
2-3 pimento peppers (aka seasoning peppers)
1/2 teaspoon Scotch Bonnet flakes (or fresh)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 lime (juice)
2 tablespoon chopped parsley

lemon juice for washing the shrimp.

Important! If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. If you can’t source the pimento (seasoning) peppers, feel free to use diced sweet bell peppers.

Peel (however I left the tails on, but you can remove), devein and wash the shrimp with lemon juice and cool water. Drain dry and season with the 1/2 the salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the Caribbean Green Seasoning. Stir well and marinate for 10 minutes.

Heat a wide saucepan on a medium flame, then add the seasoned shrimp and stir. The pan was dry as we added olive oil when we marinated the shrimp. Cook for 1-2 minutes (so we don’t overcook them), remove and set aside. By cooking the shrimp first, we’ll get that lovely seafood base to start with.

Now crank the heat to med/high and go in with the rest of the olive oil. Should you want to get more of that coconut flavor, you’re free to use coconut oil here. Now toss in the onion, pimento peppers (watch the video below to see what they are), thyme, scallions and remaining salt. Turn the heat down to low so we don’t burn anything, add the remaining black pepper, garlic and scotch bonnet flakes (use any pepper flakes you have or like). Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan.

3 minutes later and your kitchen will be blessed with the lovely aroma of niceness. Now go in with the wine and deglaze the pan. Turn the heat back up to medium. As the wine burns off, add the tomato, brown sugar and smoked paprika. This (sugar) will balance the acidity and (paprika) give the dish a smoky undertone.

Go in with the coconut milk now, turn the heat to low and let it gently cook to combine all those flavors.

About 5-6 minutes later (simmer) you’ll have a creamy, velvety sort of texture to the sauce.. it’s now time to add back the shrimp to the pan, heat through, toss in the parsley and BOOM.. you’re done. However, as you turn off the stove, go in with the freshly squeezed lime (or lemon) juice.

Yea taste for salt and adjust according. AND.. have some scented steamed rice ready for an incredible meal.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Stewed Pumpkin With Salted Cod.

May 28, 2025December 22, 20203 Comments

Here I am again, speaking about how much I HATED (my siblings too) pumpkin and squash as a kid growing up on the islands. Mommy tried, yea she did… but without any luck. She could not convince us.. even when she added “it’s good fuh yuh skin and complexion“. Today, it’s one of my favorite dishes, so much so that I grow them in my garden here in Canada every Spring.

You’ll Need…

5-7 lbs Pumpkin (sliced)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 pimento Peppers (aka seasoning peppers)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper
4 cloves garlic (smashed)
1 medium onion (sliced thin)
1/2 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 cups prepared salted cod (boneless)

Important. If making this dish gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

Wash, peel and slice the pumpkin thinly (watch the video below).

Prepare the salted cod. Boil and rinse or soak overnight in water. Drain, rinse and break into small pieces. Double check for any tiny bones, remove and discard.

In a big heavy pot on a medium heat, add the olive oil followed by the prepared salted cod and stir. Turn the heat to low (as it will go) and add the black pepper and scotch bonnet pepper. Stir well. Then in goes the onion, pimento peppers (aka seasoning peppers) and the smashed garlic. Stir again to combine all of those flavors and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Go in with the Caribbean Green Seasoning – stir again. Heat still on low. A pinch of cumin (not mentioned in the ingredients list) if you want to add some additional flavor to the finished dish. I’m not the biggest fan of cumin so I don’t do as Mom would.

It’s time to start adding the sliced pumpkin to the pot. It will pile up, but as it cooks it will spring a lot of liquid and cook down. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a boil with the lid on.

Leave the lid off when it comes to a boil and you start seeing that liquid, top with the brown sugar and continue cooking on a medium heat with the lid off. At this point the pumpkin will start getting tender and break down.

The goal is to burn off all the liquid which will sprot naturally, and in the process the pumkin will go tender and packed with flavor.

After about 20-25 minutes, it’s time to turn the heat up a little and burn off all that liquid. It can take up to 1 hours for this to happed.

With all the liquid gone, you can smash any chunky pieces with the back of your spoon, taste and adjust the salt to your liking. I didn’t add any salt as the remaining salt in the salted cod was enough for my taste.

If you can’t source Caribbean Pumpkin, butternut squash will work just as good.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Stewed Red Herrings (smoked herring).

November 6, 2020October 30, 2020Leave a Comment

One of my favorite memories of Barbados… tired, hungry and just exhausted from a long day of traveling to the island (gotta love slow customs and immigration). Luckily we opted for dinner at a local street vendor who had fresh-off-the-coal-fire – roasted breadfruit, stuffed with stewed red herrings. This son of the Caribbean was in heaven. Here’s my take on that delicious stewed smoked herrings.

You’ll Need…

1 lb red herring fillets (called smoke herring on some islands)
2 medium onions (sliced)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3-5 sprigs thyme
3 cloves garlic (smashed)
3 scallions (chopped)
10 cherry tomatoes (or 1 large diced)
1 1/2 tablespoon tomato puree
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped fine)
1 scotch bonnet (sliced)
3/4 cup water
1/2 lime (juice)

Important. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs. Use as much Scotch Bonnet (any spicy pepper you like) as you can handle and remember to wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after handling such hot peppers.

I used Smoked Herring fillets as it meant less work for me. Typically you’d have to remove the skin, large bones etc. TIP! wear gloves or the scent will remain on you hand for hours. Burn that scented candle in your house (smile).

Pour boiling water over the fillets to remove the excess salt and smoke and to rehydrate the herrings. Yes there will be tiny bones, try to remove as much as you can, but if some of them are too small to remove, doh (don’t) sweat.

Once cooled, drain, pour more warm water and rinse. Drain dry and squeeze. Now break up the fillets into small pieces and set aside.

In a saucepan on a medium flame, add the olive followed by the onions. Reduce the heat to low, so we can gently sweat the onion (about 3 minutes). Add the black pepper, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic and thyme. Cook for another 2 minutes (stir well).

Add the bell pepper and cook another 2 minutes. Then create a space in the center of the pan and add the tomato paste, so it’s in direct contact with the surface (helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the tomato) stir. Raise the heat to medium/low and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the prepared herring, followed by the scallions and tomato. Stir well, crank the heat to med/high and add the water. Bring to a boil. Lid On.

As it comes to a boil, stir, turn the heat down and simmer (lid open) for 3-5 minutes.

Finally (turn the stove off) add the lime juice and parsley, one final stir and you’re ready to enjoy.

Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Shrimp In A Spicy Tomato Sauce.

October 14, 2020October 13, 20203 Comments

While this dish is not part of my childhood growing up on the islands, I did have something similar in the French Speaking Caribbean (don’t recall which island at the moment) and it’s something I try to make whenever I have fresh off the vine tomatoes from my garden. The sauce is something you need good bread for and to be honest, you can top pasta, rice or ground provisions with this. My fave? Cassava dumplings!

You’ll Need…

4-5 tomatoes (I used Roma)
3/4 lb shrimp (I used wild caught)
1/4 teaspoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
5 cloves garlic (diced)
1/2 medium onion (diced)
4 peppers (birds eye) divided
3/4 teaspoon Paprika (hot)
1/4 cup water
2-3 tablespoon olive oil

Important! If doing this dish gluten free, be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Clean and devein the shrimp. Season with the Caribbean Green Seasoning and set aside as we prep the tomatoes.

Blanch the tomato in boiling hot water. Give the tomatoes a cut X on the bottom and into boiling water for about 1 minute. Cool, then peel (use the little cuts we made to pull back on the skin- toss out the skin and stem/core) and dice finely.

Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan on medium heat, then add the seasoned shrimp to the pot. Stir well and cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes. Then remove and set aside.

In the same pot, with the heat on low add the onion, garlic, 2 peppers (chopped, with the seeds – remove the seeds if you want to cut back on the heat level) and parsley. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the smoked paprika and stir well. Add the salt and black pepper and continue cooking on low.

4 minutes later add the diced tomato, water, brown sugar and float 2 more of the peppers. Do NOT cut or break these 2 peppers.

Bring to a boil (medium heat) and cook for 5-6 minutes. Now tuck in the shrimp, stir well and take off the heat. Allow the residual heat to fully bring everything together.

The goal is to have a rich spicy tomato sauce , with plump shrimp. So please don’t overcook the shrimp.

A simple, quick and TASTY dish, packed with tons of tropical flavors. Drop me your comments below, tag me on Instagram and don’t forget you can now get my cookbook – The Vibrant Caribbean Pot, 100 Traditional And Fusion Recipes @ CaribbeanPot.com/CookBook/

Fry Cabbage With Saltfish (Salted Cod).

May 28, 2025September 11, 20204 Comments

Cabbage with saltfish.. such a common and classic Caribbean dish, loved across the region. Bits of Salted Cod added to any dish is what most Caribbean folks would consider our ‘Umami’, so it’s common to elevate things like the simple Cabbage to new tasty heights. The beauty of this dish is that you can any vegetable you have on hand or enjoy as other cultures do stir fry. Days when I have mushrooms or fresh green peas from the garden.. yea they find their way into the pot.

You’ll Need…

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion (diced)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper (sliced)
1 large tomato (seeded / diced)
1/2 large cabbage (shredded/chopped)
1/3 lb salted cod (prepared)
1 medium carrot (grated)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
2 scallions (chopped)
salt (adjust)

Important. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements.

How To Prepare Salted Cod (saltfish) < Click The Watch!

Heat oil on a medium flame in a wide saucepan, then go in with the onion and stir. Turn the heat down to low and cook slowly to bring out the natural sweetness of the onion without burning it.

Add the scotch bonnet pepper, 1/2 the black pepper and the prepared salted cod (saltfish). Cook on low for 3 minutes. Heat up to medium, add the tomato and stir. A minute later add the crushed garlic and cook for 3 minutes.

Note! Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling such hot peppers and don’t include any seeds or the white membrane surrounding the seeds as that’s where the scorching heat lives. Unless you want the raw fire.

Add the chopped/shredded cabbage and stir well to bring all the flavors together. It will seem like a lot of cabbage, but it will wilt as it cooks. Place the lid on and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove the lid at this point and stir well.

Add the grated carrot and combine. (heat still on medium/high) Put the lid back on and cook for 3-4 minutes to sort of steam the cabbage and carrot.

Taste for salt and adjust as the salted cod may have enough remaining salt (as in my case) to season this dish for you. Hit it with the remaining black pepper, toss in the scallions and mix well. Turn off your heat.

Serve as a side dish and any remaining can be used to make the perfect filling for sandwiches.. my fav actually. Quick, simple and tasty, no need to fuss around in the kitchen when you got saltfish and cabbage yea. Enjoy!

The Ultimate Green Fig (banana) Pie.

May 28, 2025September 7, 2020Leave a Comment

Fig or green cooking bananas is one of those go-to ingredients we love to incorporate in soups, stews and many times, simply boiled on it own (treated like most cultures would potatoes). Growing up on the islands, most homes had a banana tree in their backyard, so both ripe and green bananas were always plentiful. Today I’ll show you how you can take the same green cooking bananas and make a pie (casserole) as we did with Macaroni and Breadfruit a while back.

You’ll Need…

11-12 green cooking bananas
3 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium tomato (diced)
1 1/2 cup prepared salted cod (salt fish)
1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
6 cloves garlic (crushed or diced fine)
5 scallions (divided)
3-4 tablespoon chopped parsley (divided)
6-8 sprigs thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper (no seeds | diced fine)
1 bell pepper (sweet pepper – diced)
3/4 cup Jarlsberg Cheese (grated)
1 1/2 cup aged cheddar (grated)
2 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
cooking spray to grease the baking dish

Note: If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the entire list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.

Trim the stems off the green bananas, then cut a shallow line (the thickness of the skin) along the lenght of each banana. Rinse with cool water, place in a deep pot with water and bring to a boil. reduce to a rolling boil and cook for 15-18 minutes or until they float or you see the cuts we made open up wide. Don’t salt the water – as the remaining salt from the salted cod (later) should be enough to season the dish.

Heat a saucepan on a med flame, add the olive oil followed by the prepared salted cod. (basically you soak the salted cod in water over night, then drain, rinse and shred or in my case, I poured boiling water over it in a bowl, when it cooled, I rinsed it in cool water, drain and shredded)

As soon as it starts frying, turn the heat to low, add 1/2 the black pepper and stir. Then add garlic, scotch bonnet pepper and turn the heat to med/low and add the 2/3 of the scallions, 1/2 of the parsley, thyme, bell pepper and tomato Stir well and cook for 3-5 minutes then turn off the heat.

The green bananas should be cooked now, drain and allow to cool before removing the skin (discard), then slice into 1/4 inch pieces.

As the banana cools, grate your cheese. TIP! Place the cheese in the freezer for 5-8 minutes and it will firm up nicely to grate easier. To this cheese add the remaining black pepper, scallions, parsley and thyme. Mix to combine.

Pre-heat your oven to 375 F. Add the melted butter and 2/3 the cheese mixture to the sliced cooked banana and mix well to combine.

Spray or grease your oven proof dish, then add a layer (1/2) of the banana/cheese, followed by the tomato/saltfish (place down the center, then spread evenly across), the final layer of green fig (banana) and top with the cheese we reserved.

Into the oven on the middle shelf (uncovered) for 40 minutes. Then hit the broil setting (about 550 F) for 2-3 minutes for a bit more color on the top.

I’m sure you can recognize that Uncle Chris brought his A Game with this recipe, as most Fig Pie don’t include the stewed Salted Cod (saltfish). I also opted for slicing the cooked green bananas and not smashing or mash them as others do. Sadly I’m no longer in the Caribbean where I can get ‘choice’ green fig (banana), but so it goes I guess. Remember to look for Green COOKING Bananas if you’re outside the Caribbean. Asian, Latin and Caribbean markets will usually stock it.