Tag Archives: fish

Jamaican Funk – Canadian Style – Escoveitch Fish (Jamaica Discoveries Pt. 3)

Escoveitch Cod

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been meaning to make this dish for almost a year now! I had intended to try it as soon as we got back from Jamaica, and then I decided to try it in the Summer, and BBQ the fish… and then I just forgot.

Our trip to Jamaica co-incided with J’s birthday last year, so I can pretend that I purposely held off posting this until his birthday this year… yeah, I totally meant to do that. So, Happy Birthday J! Where are we going to travel this year!?

Continue reading Jamaican Funk – Canadian Style – Escoveitch Fish (Jamaica Discoveries Pt. 3)

Ackee and Salt Fish (Jamaica Discoveries Pt.1)

Jamaican Breakfast

Time for some Jamaican breakfast!

Back from a much needed vacation, in a warm climate with a lovely beach and lots and lots of food. Maybe too much food.

We spent nearly a week in Montego Bay, Jamaica. My goal was to have some real Jamaican food, and that’s exactly what I did. Over the next little while, I’ll be showing some of the highlights, including at least one recipe attempt.

Today’s installment begins with Jamaica’s national dish, Ackee and Salt fish. This is a breakfast dish, to the surprise of many of my fellow travellers. We North Americans aren’t really known for having fish at breakfast. It was different, to be sure.
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Spooky Treats

Green Slime dip and Maudite

It all started with the decision that I would make “Caramel Cod”.

Yes, I said Caramel Cod. If it doesn’t sound familiar to you, know that I didn’t come up with it on my own. I stole the idea from the Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror VIII“. What you may not realize – as I didn’t until I did a search – is that people haven’t been going crazy trying to make it. I am shocked. I have wanted to try a caramel cod since the first time I saw that episode.

Caramel Cod

OK, so I didn’t take a whole fish, put it on a stick and cover it in caramel. Instead, I tried to make something edible – and I think I succeeded! I cut the fish into chunks, coated it in breadcrumbs and cajun spices, seared the fish and then covered in freshly made caramel. It was a little bit sticky, sweet and spicy, and the fish was cooked perfectly.

I was pretty happy with myself, but I didn’t know it wouldn’t be a disaster, so it wasn’t the only thing I made.

Squeamish Squash Dip

We decided to have a ‘spread’ dinner, made up of veggies, dips, cheese, bread, and whatever else we feel like nibbling on. I made two special Hallowe’en-themed dips for the occasion.

The first is a Squeamish Squash dip, a blend of sweet squash and tingly spices. This is a great way to use up leftover squash, or even sweet potato.

Green Slime Dip

The second is a spoooky Green Slime Dip. What’s so spooky about it? Your breath after you eat it — it’s full of garlic and onion!! This dip was inspired by the memory of a dip that my friend Mess and I made for a Hallowe’en party we had in high school. We made all sorts of spooky treats — the Green Slime dip, an ice hand in punch, and lots more!

Maudite beer

You can’t have a spooky dinner without some spooky beer! We chose Maudite – the damned – made in Quebec by Unibroue.

According to the wikipedia page:

The label depicts the legend of the Chasse-galerie (the legend of the Flying Canoe). Legend has it that a group of Voyageurs struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas. One renounced the pledge mid-flight, and they all plummeted to the ground.

Yarrr. And that’s the story of the very first caramel cod – and other fun things.

All three recipes after the jump!

Continue reading Spooky Treats