Garifuna cooks make a starchy plantain mash akin to African fufu and serve it with this basil- and culantro-laced stew. This recipe first appeared in our November 2012 issue along with Betsy Andrews's story Cassava Nation.
What You Will Need
Ingredients
- 2 lb. skin-on kingfish or swordfish filets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 green plantains, plus 2 ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 2" pieces
- 7 cups coconut milk
- 1⁄2 tsp. ground annatto seed
- 6 sprigs culantro or cilantro, chopped
- 4 large basil leaves, chopped
- 1⁄2 small yellow onion, minced
Instructions
Step 1
Season fish with salt and pepper and place in a large resealable plastic bag; add juice, 1 tsp. cumin, and garlic, and toss to combine. Seal bag, and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 2
Place all plantains in a 6-qt. saucepan of salted water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain; transfer to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper; puree until smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.
Step 3
Bring coconut milk and 1 cup water to a boil in a 6-qt. saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining cumin, annatto, culantro, basil, and onion; cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Add fish along with marinade; cook until fish is tender, about 8 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and serve alongside plantain mixture.
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