Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant island of Jamaica with our tantalizing recipe for Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper. This traditional dish, deeply rooted in Jamaican cuisine, promises an explosion of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the Caribbean. The succulent red snapper, expertly marinated in a blend of zesty Scotch bonnet peppers, fragrant ginger, aromatic thyme, and zesty citrus juices, captures the essence of Jamaican boldness. Accompanied by a medley of sweet, savory, and tangy vegetables, including crisp onions, succulent carrots, and tender bell peppers, this dish is a symphony of textures and tastes. Discover the art of preparing this Jamaican delicacy, from selecting the freshest fish to mastering the perfect balance of spices. Elevate your kitchen skills and indulge in the vibrant flavors of Jamaica with our comprehensive guide to Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper.
In addition to the main recipe, this article offers a collection of complementary Jamaican delights, ensuring a complete culinary experience. Dive into the secrets of Jamaican Rice and Peas, a flavorful combination of rice, red kidney beans, and aromatic spices. Delight in the simplicity of Steamed Cabbage, a refreshing side dish that complements the spicy escovitch sauce perfectly. Satisfy your sweet cravings with Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding, a delectable dessert brimming with warm spices and the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes. Lastly, quench your thirst with a refreshing Jamaican Sorrel Drink, a vibrant blend of hibiscus flowers, ginger, and spices, perfect for balancing the heat of the escovitch. With this comprehensive guide, you'll be equipped to host an unforgettable Jamaican feast, transporting your guests to the heart of the Caribbean through authentic flavors and culinary traditions.
ESCOVITCH SNAPPER
Provided by Food Network
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 5 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F.
- Score the fish on both sides with a knife. Sprinkle inside and out with the Seafood Spice Rub. Coat in batter if using (see Cook's Note).
- Fry the fish until the skin, or batter, is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Serve with Escovitch Dressing.
- In a food processor, pulse together the pimento seeds, adobo, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper and white pepper. Add the olive oil and process until the mixture has a deep red color, about 45 seconds.
- Combine the vinegar and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add the sugar, pimento seeds and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, onions, peppers and thyme. Remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetables cook slightly in the hot liquid (they should still be firm).
ROASTED SNAPPER, ISLAND EDITION
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F with a large cast-iron skillet or small rimmed sheet pan (an aluminum quarter sheet pan is ideal) on the middle rack. Do this at least half an hour before cooking.
- Grind the allspice berries coarsely with a mortar and pestle. Add the garlic and grind to a chunky paste. Add the ginger and grind until broken up, then add the Scotch bonnet and grind to a paste.
- Stir in the thyme, half the lime zest, half the salt, and 1 tablespoon of the oil.
- Cut 5 diagonal, shallow gashes across each side of the fish from the head to the tail. Try not to cut more than 1/3 of an inch deep. The cuts should be diagonal from belly to back but also diagonally into the flesh...on the bias.
- Lightly lube the fish with oil. Sprinkle with the remaining half of the salt, being careful to salt the cavity as well.
- Smear the paste onto the fish with a spoon, working it into the gashes. Repeat on the second side.
- Carefully place the fish on the preheated pan and roast for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fish flakes with a fork.
- To remove, carefully work a metal spatula (a slotted "fish turner" is ideal) and carefully move to a cutting board or platter to serve with the lime wedges. Serving in pieces is virtually impossible so just let people eat directly off the board or platter.
- Consume...careful of the bones
KEVIN NURSE'S JERK RED SNAPPER AND ISLAND SALSA
Steps:
- Preheat grill.
- Put all the spices, garlic, scallions, peppers, lime juice, salt, to taste, and a dash of soy sauce in a blender. Combine ingredients with oil to make a paste. Score the fish, and then rub the marinade into the fish. Place in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove the snapper from the bag and place on a greased grill, cooking each side for 7 minutes without flipping.
- While the fish is cooking, brush the zucchini with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Put zucchini slices and whole bell peppers on grill, cooking until the zucchini is tender and red pepper blackened. Set zucchini aside and let the red pepper steam in a covered bowl for a few minutes before removing the skins. Serve vegetables with the whole fish, garnished with Island Salsa.
- Combine the chopped the fruit and onion in a bowl. Stir in the red wine vinegar and cilantro. Then add salt and pepper, to taste. The salsa will be served on the side to cool off the spice of the fish.
SNAPPER ESCOVITCH
A Caribbean favorite, this light, tender and flaky fish is made with whole snapper, but you can also use fillets for ease. This recipe has a mellow spice to let the flavor of the fish shine through, but it's open to adaptation: Feel free to add a little more hot pepper or allspice, if you like, for more intensity. If you're in a hurry or low on spices, you can substitute Old Bay, jerk or Cajun seasoning blends for the spice mix in Step 1. Then, turn it into a sandwich (see Tip), paired with sweet plantain fries, or eat it as a light meal on its own.
Provided by Millie Peartree
Categories dinner, weekday, weeknight, seafood, main course
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Mix together 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, garlic powder, ginger, salt and pepper. Season the fish with the mixture.
- In a large skillet over medium, heat oil until really hot but not smoking, about 3 to 5 minutes, and add the fish flesh-side down. Cook until the flesh gets a little color, about 5 minutes. Flip, then continue cooking until the skin is crisp. Remove fish and set aside on a serving platter. Drain oil, leaving about 2 to 3 tablespoons in the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the stove. Add the bay leaf and fresh ginger, and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add bell peppers, onion, carrots, Scotch bonnet chile, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, allspice and the remaining thyme leaves, and continue cooking, stirring, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add vinegar, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, until the vegetables soften but still retain bite, and spoon over fish. (Leave the allspice berries or pickling spice in the topping. Simply eat around them.)
JAMAICAN FRIED SNAPPER
We cooked this traditional 'escovitch' dish of fried fish with my grandmother the night before church, so we could serve it after the service the next day at a large communal meal.
Provided by Chef Robert
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time 25m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Pat the fish dry and cut 3 small slits on each side of the fish. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 quart oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Carefully place the fish in the pan and fry until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Remove fish and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir onion, garlic and carrot into the pan; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes. Add thyme, allspice, habanero pepper, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar and continue cooking until onions have softened and liquid has reduced, about 5 minutes.
- Serve fish topped with onion mixture spooned over the top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 770 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Cholesterol 124.8 mg, Fat 50.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 70.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1035.7 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
ESCOVEITCHED SNAPPER
Provided by Food Network
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Rinse the fish with water and lime juice, and pat dry. Then, score the fish on both sides with a sharp knife. Salt and pepper the fish inside and outside. Lightly dust the fish with flour. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet. Fry the fish in one layer in batches until golden and crisp. Do not crowd the skillet. When all the fish are done, set aside. Pour off some of the oil leaving just enough to saute the onions until softened. Then add the bonnet and red peppers, and saute 1 minute more. Turn the onion mixture out over the fish. In the same skillet heat water, vinegar, and sugar and bring to a boil, then pour over the fish and onions. Let cool and refrigerate.
SPICY RED SNAPPER
My in-laws go deep sea fishing a lot, so we're always trying new seafood recipes. This is one that my mother-in-law gave me, and it's incredible
Provided by JelsMom
Categories Very Low Carbs
Time 20m
Yield 6 fillets, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- On a large piece of wax paper, mix together paprika, cayenne, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, basil, garlic, and oregano.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with oil.
- Brush both sides of snapper fillets with butter mixture, reserve remaining.
- Coat both sides of fillets with seasoning mixture.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles on it.
- Drizzle half of remaining butter mixture on one side of the fillets and place fillets butter side down in pan.
- Cook over high heat until the fish is deeply browned.
Tips:
- Choose the Right Fish: Opt for a firm-fleshed fish like Red Snapper, Grouper, or Kingfish to withstand the frying and marinating process.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest ingredients possible, especially for the vegetables and herbs. This will greatly enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Marinate the Fish: Don't skip the marinating step. It helps infuse the fish with flavor and keep it moist during frying.
- Fry the Fish Properly: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the fish. This will help create a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside moist.
- Don't Overcook the Fish: Fish cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked fish becomes dry and tough.
- Use a Good Quality Escovitch Sauce: The escovitch sauce is the star of the dish, so make sure to use a good quality sauce or make your own from scratch.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh herbs and vegetables for a pop of color and flavor. Serve with rice, boiled plantains, or your favorite sides.
Conclusion:
Island Fridays' Spicy Escovitch Red Snapper is a delightful Jamaican dish that combines vibrant flavors and textures. With its crispy fried fish, tangy escovitch sauce, and aromatic vegetables, this dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seafood lover or simply looking for a new and exciting recipe, this escovitch red snapper is a must-try. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to the beautiful island of Jamaica!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love