Yesterday, I posted the following statement on our Instagram and Facebook about Ramadan which I also wanted to share here. I am an unapologetic, born again Christian, who literally follows Christ as a disciple (not just a identifier box to tick on a form) but the funny thing about faith is that if you TRULY believe, you will respect others have choice. At the end of the day, we are still all humans. We have Muslim friends who wish us ‘Merry Christmas.’ We may be different but we are all humans who have the same hopes and dreams. Let us love and share because it is through our love that people will truly know the God we serve. There is only one God and He is love. God says” …You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart…” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
We’re sharing recipes of healthy, wholesome, tasty, quick dishes that you can make even if you are fasting for a healthier period of fasting.” My mind was racing for a new one that would capture the hearts and palates of our Muslim friends both near and far. It wasn’t long before I knew just the right recipe to share. It’s one that should have made the blog ages ago and I know that the flavours will bring excitement to your Iftar (or any table). It is a homely everyday meal- with the kind of feel I love about Arabic stews, but with artful presentation, you can make it look quite beautiful on your table. You can also serve it in the pot you cook it on a trivet for your Iftar buffet, which makes your life a whole lot easier because you will avoid breaking up the fish.
This morning after our usual morning workout, I jumped in the shower and got dressed at warp speed. I was out the door in record time (thank heavens for dresses) so much so that I forgot the igloo in the living room. You see, I was on a mission to catch the local fish market before it closed and according to my watch, I had 10 minutes to get there. Now ideally you are better off going first thing in the morning to get fish but as it stands, getting my daily workout punched is more important for me. That said, I got there just in the nick of time, and managed to grab 4 kgs of fresh fish.
Today’s recipe is an all-time Jamaican favourite, Brown Stew Fish. Yes, as opposed to any other colour. Jamaicans are known to be very descriptive in their naming of people and things and all given and taken in very good spirit. We are indeed a fun bunch. We also love fish. Jamaican food has simple ingredients that are put together creatively to superb results. All the ingredients are easy to find and are probably already in your kitchen, with the exception of thyme, a hardy fine-leaf herb avaialble in pots in UAE supermarkets or in the imported fresh herb sachets in Spinneys, it is rather hard to get in this country. It is also an essential ingredient in Jamaican cuisine so I usually buy 2-3 packets and freeze them fresh so I have fresh thyme every time I need it. I absolutely abhor dried thyme as the flavour is just “meh” but if you cannot get your hands on the fresh kind and substitute with dry, I won’t kill you for it. Just know though that the flavour of the dish will be dramatically altered, though it may still be tasty enough to pass.
- 2.5 kg/ 5lbs fresh fish ( whole or cut into steaks)
- 250g okra
- 3 tomatoes
- 3 onions
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 large cloves garlic
- scotch bonnet pepper to taste (substitute with habanero pepper)
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground allspice
- 2-4 tablespoons coconut oil
- Wash fish in cold water and squeeze a little lime, lemon or a few drops of vinegar.
- Wipe fish dry with paper towel
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large frying pan, saute pan (low casserole/rondeau) or wok. Ensure it fully coats the bottom and sides of pan.
- Chop tomatoes, garlic, onoions and slice the ends off the okra and set aside
- Combine salt, blackpepper and allspice in a small bowl.
- Rub the spice mix into the fish, making sure to cover all over including the inside of whole fish and the head.
- Once oil is hot enough, fry fish on each side, only turning once when fish moves easily. Do not crowd the pan, if needed, fry in batches.
- Once all fish is fried, add it to pan and turn heat on high. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper and okra
- Add boiling water to almost cover fish and allow the liquid to come to a boil then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve on a bed of rice or with boiled green bananas and yams.
Remember to leave a comment below and share us on your social media platforms. If you cook this or any dish from our blog, take a photo and let us know and we will give you a shout out for your great work!
Looks wonderful and yummy. Side-note, love the new layout.
Thanks much Rebekah (on both food comment and layout nod). Going to tuck into the pot again for seconds!
Would you believe that I planned to cook brown stew fish tomorrow as its Father’s Day and one of my husband’s favorite dish. Thanks for the post and the reminder of using okra
Oh that is wonderful! He’s in for a treat! Yes the okra is a nice addition.
I love Jamaican food. This stew sounds full of flavour and some Caribbean flare. I just know it would taste delicious too.
So many great flavors in the Jamaican stew! What could be more perfect than a fish stew from the Caribbean?
This is such an interesting dish with bold flavors. I love that it is light and healthy for any day of the week.
I love how simple this recipe is but still full of flavor. This is my kind of dish. Thanks for sharing!
so simple but it sound absolutely incredible! i love okra with all my heart lol! and with the fish i’ll bet this tastes wonderful!
I love all the fresh flavors in this! I agree with you, fresh thyme is so much better than dried! Luckily it grows well in my garden.
I really liked your first paragraph on religion and humanity. I couldn’t agree more. And that fish stew looks so spicy and delicious!
This would be my first attempt in making this unique and amazing and delicious dish. Looks yummy and sure for a try.
I’ve never tried anything like this before, but I’m loving all of the flavors in the dish! Something interesting and unique!!
What a gorgeous fish stew! I think Jamaican flavours are so good in a stew and I know I’d be wanting seconds of this one!
I grow thyme in my garden here – and I love Caribbean food. I’ve never tried brown fish stew so I will have to have a go – your recipe looks delicious and very doable!
Ahhh this reminds me that Ramadan is just months away and it’s a good idea to get together with friends over this fish stew. It sounds so flavorful and delicious. I bet everyone will love it!
I love fresh thyme too and it is always hit or miss around here. I picked up some lovely fresh bunches last week, and I don’t think I’m going to use it all. I never even thought to freeze it. Thanks for the tip! And this dish looks super flavourful and delicious!
Yum this looks absolutely delicious! I love the spices you have chosen, I bet my family is going to love it!
I spent a wonderful three months in Jamaica back in 2014. It really was the time of my life – I was just 24 at the time and I went alone, to be with a guy I had a holiday romance with. I ate lots of brown stew chicken, but never brown stew fish – looks tasty though!
mmm! I love all of the flavors going on in this dish! I love your first paragraph, I totally agree we are all different.
Wow!! Good for you! I don’t think I could have got ready in that time and STILL manage to get some good fish. Although I would probably skip the workout because I am so lazy right now :p
This looks so good. I have never actually tried anything like this before. I have only ever had my fish baked. Totally on board to try something new!
The seasoning and flavor combinations sound so delicious! I love getting my hands on fresh fish and cooking something beautiful and full of color like this dish!
I really like this recipe! A great way to get your Omega-3’s and have a tasty dish for dinner. Looks really good.
I haven’t tried Jamaican food and feel I’m missing out! This brown fish stew looks great! We eat a lot of fish here in Italy but I rarely stew it! Def want to try this!
Fish is one of those ingredients that I do not cook with very much, but I think it’s time to change that. I will totally leave out the scotch bonnets though! 🙂
Oh wow I can taste it from here. The perfect balance of flavours going on here, so good! Gorgeous shots too!!
I’ve had fish stew but never using a scotch bonnet or the entire fish. We love spicy and so I know we’d love the stew as well as the Jamaican cuisine. Your okra looks gorgeous. The okra at the Farmer’s market hasn’t been up to par. Would love to have a bowlful of your brown stew fish.
This is an absolutely beautiful dish. Simple ingredients coming together to make something delicious. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
I love how easy and delicious this stew fish recipe is! What a delightful way to celebrate a special day or just to enjoy this incredible meal! Fantastic recipe that I am definitely saving for later.
No wonder this brown stew fish is an all-time Jamaican favorite. I guess I should say that it can easily become an all-time favorite for all because the flavors must exceed anyone’s expectations! On top of that, this recipe looks very easy to make, which is another great thing about it. Yum!
I will definitely try your Jamaican recipe, that looks healthy and yummy!