Jamaican Escovitch Fish Recipes

JAMAICAN ESCOVITCH FISH

Steps:

• Rinse fish; rub with lemon or lime, seasoned with salt and pepper or use your favorite seasoning. I used creole seasoning. Set aside or place in the oven to keep it warm until sauce is ready.
• In large skillet heat oil over medium heat, until hot, add the fish, cook each side- for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through and crispy on both sides. Remove fish and set aside. Drain oil and leave about 2-3 tablespoons of oil
• Add, bay leave, garlic and ginger, stir-fry for about a minute making sure the garlic does not burn
• Then add onion, bell peppers, carrots, thyme, scotch bonnet, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, all spice-continue stirring for about 2-3 minutes. Add vinegar, mix an adjust salt and pepper according to preference. Let it simmer for about 2 more minutes.
• Discard bay leave, thyme spring and serve over fish with a side of this bammy. You may make the sauce about 2 days in advance.

JAMAICAN STYLE ESCOVITCH OF FISH WITH PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of the salt, pickling spice, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and Scotch bonnet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and skim any foam that rises to the top. Simmer vegetables for 2 minutes; remove from heat and set aside until warm before serving. (Pickled vegetables may be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated in a nonreactive container until ready to serve. May be served warm or cold.)
• When you are ready to cook the fish, place the fillets on a nonreactive plate or platter and squeeze the lime juice over the fillets. Let sit for several minutes then pat fillets dry. Season well on both sides with salt and freshly ground white pepper. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, Essence, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and white pepper and stir to combine. Dredge the fillets in the seasoned flour mixture and shake to release any excess.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan and, when hot, add the fish and cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. (This will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets you are using.) Transfer fillets to a platter and spoon some of the pickled vegetables with pickling liquid over the fish. Serve immediately.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
• Published by William Morrow, 1993.