Belizean Creole Fish Recipes

PESCADO FRITO (FRIED RED SNAPPER)

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo: Combine all the adobo ingredients and grind them together in a large pilón or mortar and pestle, or simply mix them together in a small bowl.
• Prepare the fish: Make three shallow crosswise cuts on both sides of the surface of the fish skin, then place it in a deep container with a lid or a large resealable bag. Pour adobo over, rubbing it into the skin, head and cavity. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or 2 to 3 hours in the fridge. If marinating longer, let the fish come to room temperature 30 minutes before frying.
• In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot large enough to submerge your fish, pour in enough oil to reach a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat over high until oil is simmering and reaches 350 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• Once the oil comes to temperature, pick the marinated fish up by the tail, shake off excess marinade, and lower it head-first into simmering oil. Use a pair of tongs to gently nudge the fish to prevent it from sticking to the pot. It'll be very active at first, so have a splatter shield handy, if you've got one.
• Using a heat-safe ladle, baste any unsubmerged fish with hot oil repeatedly, ensuring fish cooks evenly. Fry until it turns golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully and removing immediately if it starts to get dark.
• Using an extra-long fish spatula, or a set of heatproof tongs and a heatproof spatula, carefully lift the fish out of the oil and transfer it to the lined baking sheet.
• Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with lime wedges, hot sauce and cilantro.

FRIED SNAPPER WITH CREOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium until shimmering. Add the onions, red and green bell peppers and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just starting to brown, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato sauce, thyme and 1 3/4 cups water; bring to a boil over high.
• Stir in the white vinegar and seasoning salt, reduce the temperature to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, prepare the fish: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium. On a large plate, mix the flour and seasoning salt with a fork.
• Pat the snapper fillets dry using paper towels, and season 2 fillets with salt and pepper before dipping them into the flour mixture until coated on both sides.
• Once the oil is shimmering, gently lay the floured fillets in the hot oil, skin-side down, and cook until skin is crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a fish spatula, carefully flip fillets and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until cooked through.
• Transfer the fish to a large paper-towel-lined plate. Cover loosely with foil and repeat with the remaining fillets.
• Divide fish among plates, skin side up, and top with the Creole sauce. Serve immediately, passing hot sauce at the table.

BELIZEAN FISH SERRE

Steps:

• Wash and rinse the snapper.
• Wash, clean and cut vegetables.
• Place bacon into a saucepan over medium heat, pour in coconut milk.
• Add the onion, seasonings, plantain and yucca.
• Bring to a boil until vegetables are tender.
• Dip the fish into the coconut milk to ensure it is coated and place the carrots and fish on top, and simmer until the fish is tender.
• Serve over rice.

EASY FISH CREOLE

Steps:

• In a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, saute onion, celery, and green pepper for 10 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in undrained stewed tomatoes, garlic and brown Sugar Twin.
• Add fish and mix gently to combine.
• Lower heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• For each serving, place 1/2 cup rice on a plate and spoon about 1 full cup fish mixture over top.