Throwdowns Fish Escovitch Recipes

JAMAICAN ESCOVITCH FISH RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash the fish in water with the juice from the lime/lemon.
• Drain away the excess water and dry the fish as much as possible, using kitchen paper roll helps a lot.
• Mix mix the salt and black pepper together to make the fish seasoning.
• Rub the seasoning all over and into the fish. Cut small deep gashes in each sides of the fish and rub the seasoning into it.
• To a frying pan, add about a ¼ cup of cooking oil, just enough to cover one side of the fish at a time (you are NOT deep frying the fish). Place on medium to high heat.
• Cut the garlic cloves in half and drop them into the oil along with 5 grain of pimentos berries and who whole scotch bonnet pepper.
• Once the oil is hot carefully place fish in. After 2-3 minutes turn the heat down to medium. Fry both sides of the fish until is crispy.
• Pour away the oil in the frying leaving about 1 tbsp. On low heat, add the onion, the rest of the pimento berries, the slice scotch bonnet pepper, carrot strips and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the vinegar and brown sugar, cook for another 2-3 minutes
• Pour over the fried fish and leave to absorb the flavour.

THROWDOWN'S FISH ESCOVITCH

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil, add the onions, cook for 1 minute and drain well. Transfer to a bowl.
• Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly then pour the mixture over the onions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Stir in thyme before serving.
• Put the orange juice in a medium nonreactive saucepan and bring to a boil. Using a paring knife, make a small slit in the center of the habanero and add to the orange juice along with the allspice berries. Cook until thickened and reduced to about 1 cup. Strain into a bowl and let cool slightly. Add the zest and vinegar and season with salt, pepper and honey, to taste, if needed.
• Combine the oil and basil in a blender and blend for 2 minutes. Strain into a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Whisk together the flour, salt, pepper and enough water to make a batter with the consistency of crepe batter. Let sit 5 minutes.
• Heat 2-inches of oil in a medium high-sided saute pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer. Put the flour in a large shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Season the fish with salt and pepper and dredged lightly in the flour, tapping off excess. Dip the fish in the batter and let excess drip off. Fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to a platter, drizzle with the vinegar sauce and basil oil and top with some of the pickled red onions. Garnish with basil leaves.