Steamed Fish is a staple in Jamaican cuisine, believed to be an aphrodisiac and probably the number one reason there are so many Jamaicans kids running around. It is a flavorful dish that is actually stewed instead of steamed. Jamaican men eat this dish often in order to keep their women satisfied and for easy procreation. In other words it makes the backs of Jamaican men “Strong”. I have always stayed from this delicious dish due to a childhood incident with a bone.
My friend Michelle is always bragging about her “tun up” steam fish and so I asked her to send me the ingredients, since the ability to make steam fish is a requirement for any woman dating or wanting to date a Jamaican man.
I made it twice and it “tun up fi true”
Ingredients
1TBSP Garlic Powder
1 TBSP Onion Powder
1 Tsp Salt
2lb of your favorite Fish (I use red snapper, salmon or Pompano)
1 TBSP Maggie Chicken Noodle Soup
1 med Onion chopped
2 leaves Escallion
1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper
2 Sprigs Thyme
1 med Tomato chopped
6 Okra sliced (chose young fresh ones old ones take longer to cook n can be tough)
1 Medium Carrot sliced
2 TBSP Oil
1 tbsp. Butter
2 cups Water
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Method
Rinse fish with a dilute solution of vinegar (2 tbsp. to 4 cups water). This decreases the fishy smell
Make slits in side of fish
Mix salt, garlic and Onion powder and rub on fish including in slits made
Heat Oil in pot and slightly brown fish on both sides (2 minutes per side)
Add remaining chopped vegetables and add enough water to cover fish
Combine veggies with browned fish and water. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes or until squash and carrots are tender
Serve with your favorite starchy sides and enjoy