BAHAMIAN CHICKEN SOUSE

Bahamian Chicken Souse image

Provided by Vicki Butts (lazyme)

Categories Chicken

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 lb chicken wings or chicken parts (can substitute turkey wings or parts or pork ribs cubed)
2 large baking potatoes
1 large yellow onion
2 medium stalks celery
3 garlic cloves
2 Tbsp whole allspice (absolutely necessary) * see note below.
2 limes
dried red pepper (can use fresh bird or goat pepper)
salt

Steps:

1. Pre-boil chicken in large pot. (You can cover in an inch of water on high heat for a quick boil). Be sure to add salt and dried pepper to water. Keep checking pot and add a little water at a time as it boils down.
2. While meat is cooking do the following: Peel and cut potatoes into medium cubes. Place in bowl of tap water until ready to place into pot (to prevent it turning brown). Cut onion into medium slices. Cut celery stalks into medium to small cubes. Crush and finely cut garlic cloves.
3. Remove the meat from heat right before it reaches the desired tenderness. (If you chose to substitute the chicken for turkey or pork ribs, the boil time will greatly increase to reach tenderness).
4. Throw away broth and rinse meat thoroughly. (The final soup should be clear and free of particles.)
5. Put freshly rinsed meat in large pot. Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, whole allspice (key to unique flavor).
6. Cover in water an inch above the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bring to a boil. When potatoes are almost done add celery.
8. Remove from heat when potatoes are tender but be sure not to boil celery too much. (Keep slight crunch).
9. Squeeze one lime in pot. Save and slice second lime to add flavor to separate servings.
10. NOTE: When I made this I felt that the allspice was rather overwhelming. Next time I would only use 1T and think that would still impart the unique flavor.