Liberia: Pepper Snapper in Tomato Hot Sauce with Green Chuck Rice

Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic and holds a unique place in World history being one of the only countries in African to never be subjected to colonial rule. Founded by freed African American and Caribbean slaves in 1821, it is hardly surprising that Liberian Cuisine is an interesting reverse creole  that interweaves cooking techniques  from the southern United States with traditional west African foods.

 

Key culinary ingredients in Liberia’s  interesting culinary style include fish, rice, tropical fruits (such as banana), and a wide range of vegetables including okra, potatoes of many kinds, eggplants and greens.  Bushmeat (eg monkey), is also popular and endangered species are hunted for human consumption in Liberia. With an ideal location close to the equator and a long Atlantic Ocean coastline, Liberia is a biodiversity hotspot. Near neighbours include Ivory Coast to the east, Guinea to the north and Sierra Leone to the north west. 

 

Our LIBERIAN Menu included

Pepper Snapper in Tomato Hot Sauce 

with 

Green Chuck Rice

 

PEPPER SNAPPER IN TOMATO HOT SAUCE 

INGREDIENTS:

·      1 kg Snapper Fillets, cut in large pieces

·      100ml vegetable oil

·      1 red capsicum, diced

·      1 habanero chilli, chopped finely

·      1 tsp crushed garlic

·      3 fresh tomatoes, crushed (or I can crushed tomato)

·      1 large onion, chopped finely

·      1 tsp crushed ginger

·      1 vegetable bouillon  cube

·      1 cup water

·      2 tbs tomato paste

·      ½ tsp paprika

·      ¼ tsp cayenne powder 

·      ¼ tsp ground black pepper

·      Salt &  extra ground black pepper

·      2 tbs fresh chopped oregano & parsley

 

METHOD:

1.    Sprinkle fish with salt, pepper and paprika

2.    Heat oil in a deep pan and sear fish on both sides then put aside

3.    Add onions to pot and fry 2 minutes

4.    Add capsicum, garlic, ginger and stir frying a little

5.    Add tomato, tomato paste, habanero, cayenne, black pepper, salt and cook a little together

6.    Add stock cube and water and bring to the boil

7.    Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes or until thick

8.    Stir through fresh herbs

9.    Add fish to the tomato sauce and cook approximately 3 minutes until fish is warm and cooked through

 

This is a Q-Zine original recipe informed from several found at:

https://www.thefufucafe.com/recipes/liberian-fish-stew

http://www.kadiafricanrecipes.com/fish-stew.html

https://www.africanbites.com/liberian-chicken-gravy/

https://allafricandishesng.blogspot.com/2016/05/liberian-chuck-rice-and-gravy.html

 

 

GREEN CHUCK RICE

Liberians are famous for their love of rice as their saying ‘you must be Liberian if you can’t go a day without eating rice’ demonstrates.

 

INGREDIENTS:

·      2 cup white long grain rice

·      4cups water

·      ½ tsp salt

·      6 – 8 cups fresh spinach (can use okra or jute leaf), chopped

·      2 tbs vegetable oil

·      A bit extra salt

 

METHOD

1.    wash rice in running water until water stops being milky then shake to dry

2.    put rice in a medium pot with salt & water

3.    Slowly bring rice to boil, stirring often to stop rice sticking to the bottom of the pot

4.    Once the rice has reached boiling point, give the pot a very good stir with a wooden spoon making sure there is no rice stuck to the bottom of the pot

5.    Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat down to low & simmer for 10 minutes

6.    From this point do not take the lid off the pot until you are ready to serve the rice. This will keep it moist & warm

7.    After 10 minutes turn the heat under the pot off and let the pot sit on the cooling element for a minimum of 10 minutes before serving

8.    While the rice is cooling sauté the spinach in a pan with some salt to taste or blanch in boiling salted water

9.    Strain away any liquid and blend spinach to a paste in a food processor 

10.Pour spinach puree over the rice, stir well and serve

 

 This is a Q-Zine original recipe informed from several found at:

https://allafricandishesng.blogspot.com/2016/05/liberian-chuck-rice-and-gravy.html

https://www.africanbites.com/spinach-rice-check-rice/

https://libpositives.com/blog/8g8jc8axjsm6l7tkm7w7b48czpcdt9

https://www.african-recipes-secrets.com/check-rice.html