🇯🇲 Jamaican Cuisine

Steamed Fish

Jamaican Steamed Fish in Okra Sauce

Prep Time 45 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Medium
Calories 334 kcal

Whole fish gently steamed in a rich broth of okra, tomatoes, onions, and Scotch bonnet pepper, producing a silky, flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole red snapper or parrot fish, scored
  • 8 okra pods, sliced
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced
  • 3 stalks scallion, chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 250ml water

Instructions

  1. 1 Clean fish with lime juice, score both sides, and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic. Let rest fifteen minutes.
  2. 2 Layer onion, tomato, and bell pepper slices in the bottom of a large deep skillet. Place seasoned fish on top.
  3. 3 Scatter okra, scallion, thyme, and Scotch bonnet around and on top of the fish. Add butter in small pieces.
  4. 4 Pour water around the fish carefully. Cover tightly and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  5. 5 Cook covered for twenty-five minutes without lifting the lid, allowing the fish to steam gently in the aromatic broth.
  6. 6 The okra will create a naturally thick, silky sauce. Serve the whole fish with sauce spooned over it alongside rice.

Did You Know?

Jamaican steamed fish is technically not steamed at all but poached in a small amount of liquid, with okra acting as a natural thickener.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/jamaican/jamaican-steam-fish/