Best Fish And Fungi Virgin Islands Style Recipes

FISH AND FUNGI (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)

Steps:

• To make the fish, put all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat, simmering for 20 to 30 minutes or until the fish flakes with a fork. Garnish with sliced lime.
• To make the fungi, bring the water to a boil and add the frozen okra.
• In a separate bowl, blend 2 tbsp of the cornmeal with about 6 tbsp water. Pour into the pot with the boiling water and okra and let cook for one minute.
• Slowly pour the rest of the cornmeal into the pan, stirring constantly. Add the butter and salt and pepper, continuing to cook for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

FUNGI

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil over medium-high.
• When water reaches a rolling boil, add okra and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook over medium-high until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Slowly and carefully, pour half the cornmeal into the water while whisking to prevent lumps. It will get very thick very quickly.
• Once the mixture is smooth, add the remaining cornmeal and the butter, whisking vigorously to combine.
• When smooth, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If you'd like it a little thinner, whisk additional water into the mixture. Serve hot.

FRIED SNAPPER WITH CREOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium until shimmering. Add the onions, red and green bell peppers and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just starting to brown, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato sauce, thyme and 1 3/4 cups water; bring to a boil over high.
• Stir in the white vinegar and seasoning salt, reduce the temperature to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, prepare the fish: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium. On a large plate, mix the flour and seasoning salt with a fork.
• Pat the snapper fillets dry using paper towels, and season 2 fillets with salt and pepper before dipping them into the flour mixture until coated on both sides.
• Once the oil is shimmering, gently lay the floured fillets in the hot oil, skin-side down, and cook until skin is crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a fish spatula, carefully flip fillets and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until cooked through.
• Transfer the fish to a large paper-towel-lined plate. Cover loosely with foil and repeat with the remaining fillets.
• Divide fish among plates, skin side up, and top with the Creole sauce. Serve immediately, passing hot sauce at the table.

KALALOO VIRGIN ISLANDS STYLE

Steps:

• Soak meats overnight in cold water to remove excess fat and salt. Cook meat and conchs in 2 qts water till soft.
• When meat is half cooked, add fish and crab and continue cooking till meat is tender.
• Peel eggplant. Add to pot with meat mixture. When soft, remove and chop fine. Return to pot.
• Wash greens, and chop fine or put through grinder.
• Cut up okras and add with greens to meat and eggplant mixture.
• Cook till greens become a dark green color. Continue to cook about 5 minutes longer. Taste, add a little salt if needed, and hot pepper if desired. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 cups water.