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Bahamian stew fish
Stew fish: grouper in a dark roux gravy with celery and thyme
Bahamian stew fish is old-fashioned Sunday breakfast in Nassau and the Family Islands: firm fish such as grouper or snapper simmered in a dark brown gravy built on a flour-and-oil roux, with onion, celery, tomato and thyme, served over grits or with johnnycake. The flavour is deep, savoury and a little smoky from the browned flour. The usual mistake is a pale roux; cook the flour slowly until it is the colour of milk chocolate, but don't let it burn. Ask for thick fish steaks or fillets. Chef's tip: stir the roux with a flat wooden spatula so you can scrape every corner and keep it browning evenly.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ lb grouper or snapper steaksthick pieces
- 1 limejuiced
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 ⅜ oz plain flour
- 1 onionchopped
- 2 sticks celerychopped
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 7 oz chopped tomatoes
- 4 sprigs thyme
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ scotch bonnet pepperfinely chopped
- 2 ½ cups water or fish stockhot
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Rub 1 ¾ lb grouper or snapper steaks with 1 lime, ¾ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper and leave in the fridge for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pan over a medium-low heat, stir in 1 ⅜ oz plain flour and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring constantly, until the roux is dark brown and smells nutty.
12 minStep 3: Add 1 onion and 2 sticks celery and stir for 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato purée for 1 minute.
6 minStep 4: Gradually whisk in 2 ½ cups water or fish stock, then add 7 oz chopped tomatoes, 4 sprigs thyme, ¼ tsp ground allspice, ½ scotch bonnet pepper and the rest of ¾ tsp salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, until smooth and gravy-thick.
10 minStep 5: Lay the fish in the gravy, cover and simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily. Serve over grits or rice.
12 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bahamian stew fish take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of lime?
- Lemon, same amount.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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