It's been a long time since I've put up any new recipes. I've been busier these days which calls for quicker meals and the challenge is to keep it healthy. So, I am going to ATTEMPT to post some simple yet healthy dishes and with the help of others, maybe we can share recipes.
Let's come together and make it easier on us wives, mothers and other full time employed, family meal suppliers. Just think, if it's quick and healthy, we don't have to feel guilty about taking any unhealthy short cuts!!!!
This is a simple soup/broth made in the West Indies aka "the Caribbean" which is delicious and it doesn't take long to make. Arm yourself with the ingredients below: We can add to it later.
Ingredients
-fish (I use fillets that I buy in a bundle from Costco)
-onion
-curry seasoning (or Sazon as I find most Americans haven't developed a palette for this spice)
-Thyme
-salt
-water
Misc.
-boiled pototoes
-spinach
-cooked plantain
For the dumplings:
-flour
-Salt
-water
Easiest Instructions:
Saute a sliced onion in the soup pot that you will be using. It's easier this way and it eliminates using an extra pot. Saute in olive oil but don't over cook as it will be boiling in water for approx. 10 minutes.
Add seasoned fish using curry (or Sazon), salt and thyme.
Then addd water to make a proper amount of soup as per your ingredients and servings needed.
Cook for 10 minutes.
Note: I tend NOT to use measurements. Just add what you think works well with the servings needed and the amount of food in the pot. Make sure to do a, "taste test and adjust" as you go. Remember NOT to double dip!!
For the dumplings, I used one cup of flour and added some water and salt. Then I kneaded it using my KitchenAide mixer until it becomes a ball of dough. Then pinch off some dough and roll it between your palms until it becomes a finger like shape.
Drop into the boiling broth with the fish and onions and cook for 10 minutes.
If you wish to jazz it up, consider adding spinach, plantain, chives, potatoes and more! If you add potatoes, you will have to pre-boil them. If you're considering another starch, keep it West Indian by adding or swapping the potatoes for dumplings. Add spinach. West Indians sometimes use Callaloo, the leaves of the Dasheen potato, which is similar to spinach. Add cooked plantain or chives. Remember our goal is to keep it healthy and tasty, Naturally, the more ingredients added that require prep work, the longer it will take.
Let's repeat the steps:
1. Saute onions in the soup pot with some olive oil
2. Season your fish with your choice of curry or Sazon. Then add thyme and salt.
3. Add fish to the pot with the onions and add enough water to make the soup. Important, taste to add more salt or seasoning.
4. For the dumplings, mix flour, salt and water into dough by any means of kneading. Pinch off pieces, roll into dumplings and drop into soup.
5. Boil for approximately 10 minutes. Make sure the potatoes are sufficiently boiled ahead of time.
Voila or should I say, "dis fish broth is damn good, mon". Eat any time of the year. It's a summery meal but makes for a darned good hot soup during the winter.
