Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Saturday, Jan 15th - Ackee and Saltfish with Fried Plantains

Ackee and Saltfish and Fried Plantains
Alas my stash of Ackee is running low.  I'm down to my last two cans.  I've told Dad not to send me anymore from Toronto.  I usd the carbon load on the delivery since the expense argument falls on deaf ears with Dad's when it comes to birthday care packages. That's okay since I have located two sources in Vancouver: a grocer on Commercial, if I get there early since they are snapped up and the Great Canadian Superstore on the way to Deep Cove.

I was watching Diners Drive-ins and Dives and Guy visited a Jamaican restaurant in Nashville.  I was facinated by how the owner did her Saltfish.  She does not soak for 24 hours and nor did she change the water.  All she did was pour boiling water over the Saltcod and let it sit for 2 hours until it flaked and she cooked with it directly.  I on the other hand will change the water every 4 hours or even more frequently and store it in the fridge.  D thinks I change it too much.  So I tried to change it less this time (3-4 times in 24 hours) and did not rinse it off after the poaching to preserve some of the flavour specific to Saltcod rather than just Cod.  It was too Salty for my taste but the Rice and other Vegetables helped.  I would go back frequent rinsing, particularly if you are watching your salt.

Ackee and Salt fish (RECIPE)

I used 3 Birdseye Chilies since I could not find a Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habenero).  I left them whole so I wouldn't combust D.

Fried Plantains (METHOD)

I served with warm Basmati Rice.  MMMMMMM

2 Leave a / Read COMMENTs:

Belinda @zomppa said...

Fantastic. I love salted fish.

Jason Phelps said...

I get this dish everytime I go to Jamaica. With fresh Ackee it is killer!

Jason