Steaming Delicacies: Fish And Bammy Perfection

Jamaican steamed fish and bammy is a popular dish in Jamaica, especially among men. Bammy is a type of flatbread made from cassava root, and the steamed fish is typically red snapper, although any type of fish can be used. The dish is often served with vegetables such as bell peppers and onions, and the bammy is sometimes fried before being steamed. The fish is seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs, including salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. The cooking process is simple, with all the ingredients added to one pot and steamed together.

Preparing the fish: Rinse the fish fillet and place it in a steamer

To prepare the fish, you will first need to clean it. Rinse the fish under cold water, ensuring that the inside of the cavity is thoroughly cleaned. Pat the fish dry and place it on a chopping board.

The next step is to create shallow diagonal slashes on each side of the fish. You can use a knife to make two diagonal cuts on each fish. These slashes will allow the flavours of the seasoning to penetrate the fish more effectively during the marination process.

After making the slashes, sprinkle some fish seasoning into each crevice and the cavity of the fish. You can use a combination of salt and dry seasonings such as black pepper and fish seasoning. Rub the mixture onto the fish and let it marinate for about 10 minutes, or longer if desired.

Once the fish is seasoned and marinated, it's ready to be placed in the steamer. Make sure the steamer has at least an inch of water in the bottom, and bring it to a boil. Lay the fish on the steamer rack, ensuring that the rack is elevated above the water. Cover the steamer and follow the specified cooking time, usually around 10-15 minutes for the fish to cook through.

Cooking the fish: Cover and steam for 4-10 minutes, depending on the size and thickness

Once you've prepared your fish, vegetables, bammy, and other ingredients, it's time to cook the fish. This part of the process is relatively straightforward but requires careful timing to ensure the fish is cooked perfectly.

First, place your fish in the pot or pan. If using a steamer, ensure the rack is elevated above the water. For a whole red snapper, you'll want to turn the fish halfway through cooking. Cover the pot or pan with a lid. Then, for a whole red snapper, steam the fish for 15 minutes. For fillets, such as cod, steam for 4 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is cooked to your liking. A larger halibut steak may take up to 10 or 12 minutes.

The timing will depend on the size and thickness of your fish, so it's essential to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. You don't want your fish to become dry and flaky or, worse, still raw and undercooked. Aim for tender, juicy fish that flakes easily with a fork.

Once the fish is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot or pan and serve it with your choice of sides, such as bammy, vegetables, or rice. Enjoy your delicious and healthy steamed fish and bammy meal!

Preparing bammy: Grate the cassava and shape it into a disc

Preparing bammy involves using cassava root, which is a key ingredient in this Jamaican dish. First, peel the cassava root and cut it in half. Then, use a grater to grate the cassava into a fine consistency. You can hold the grater with your left hand and grate the cassava with your right hand.

Once you have grated the cassava, it's time to remove the excess juice. Place the grated cassava between a clean cloth and squeeze out the juice. This step is important to ensure that the bammy has the right consistency and is not too wet.

Now, it's time to shape the bammy. Add some salt to the cassava mixture and measure out one cup. Place this on a flat surface and use your fingers to shape it into a disc, about 1/2 inch thick. Use your palm to compress the bammy and shape it into a tight hold. The size of the bammy is typically smaller, especially in Jamaica, so keep that in mind.

At this point, you can choose to fry or steam the bammy. If you're frying, heat a pot on high heat, add oil, and then carefully add the bammy to the hot oil. Fry each side for about 6 minutes. If you're steaming the bammy, use a frying pot or a big stew pot, add a little water, and place the bammy on a stand inside the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for about 6 minutes on each side.

Cooking bammy: Fry bammy in a skillet until golden brown

To cook bammy, you will need to first gather your ingredients. While bammy is available pre-made, you can also make it from scratch using cassava root. If you are making it from scratch, you will need one pound of grated cassava root, half a teaspoon of salt, and two cups of coconut or cow's milk.

Once you have your ingredients, you can begin preparing the bammy. First, peel the cassava root and cut it in half. Hold the grater with your left hand and grate the cassava with your right hand. After grating the cassava, squeeze the excess juice from it using a clean cloth. Next, add the salt to the cassava mixture and measure out one cup. Place the mixture on a flat surface and use your finger to shape it into a pancake shape about half an inch thick. Use your palm to compress the bammy tightly.

Now, it's time to fry the bammy. Put a frying pot on the stove and turn the heat to high or the equivalent setting on your stove. After one minute, add the oil to the pot. After another minute, carefully add the bammy to the hot oil. Allow the bammy to fry for about six minutes on each side until it is golden brown.

Once the bammy is fried to your desired level of doneness, you can serve it with your steamed fish. Enjoy your delicious Jamaican meal!

Serving: Dip bammy in coconut milk and serve with steamed fish

Bammy is a type of flatbread made from cassava. It is a popular side dish in Jamaica and is often served with steamed fish. To serve bammy with coconut milk, first prepare the bammy by frying or steaming it. Cut the bammy into pieces—a medium-sized bammy can be cut into seven pieces. Next, prepare the coconut milk by rehydrating coconut milk powder with water and bringing it to a boil. Finally, dip the bammy pieces into the coconut milk and serve them alongside steamed fish.

To make steamed fish, wash and clean the fish, then season it with salt and other spices. Place the fish in a pot with water, vegetables, and herbs, and steam it for about 10 minutes. You can also steam the fish with vegetables like pumpkin, okra, and carrots, or with bammy or water crackers.

When serving bammy with coconut milk and steamed fish, you can dip the bammy into the coconut milk before each bite or pour the coconut milk over the bammy on the plate. This dish is a delicious and healthy option for a meal, combining the flavours of the Caribbean with the nutritional benefits of fish and coconut milk.

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