Fish fillet stew (Trinidad style)

On Good Friday, my in-laws in Trinidad usually make Fish stew with dumplings, daal and root vegetables. So I just wanted to continue the tradition here too for Anjalie. Being a veggie forever I do not know if this is any different to other fish stews, but, this one is a recipe from my mum-in-law. This is pretty much fish cooked in tomato sauce. My mum-in-law makes this with pieces of fish, but, I prefer to use fish fillets for ease and, with the skin & bones removed, I will not have to worry about giving it to Anjalie. I use either haddock or cod fillets since they are readily available here. Naz usually enjoys this stew with dumplings, but, Anjalie prefers to eat it boiled rice.

You will need:

1-2 fish med fillets (I used haddock this time)

1 stalk green/salad onion both white & green parts chopped

3 cloves garlic & 1/2 inch ginger (optional) grated

1 lemon

1 small/ 1/4 med sized onion chopped

2 tomatoes, diced

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 tsp thyme, chopped

1 dash parsley

salt and black pepper to taste

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp oil

150 ml water (more or less)

1-2 small pieces of habanero pepper /fresh chillies (optional & only for adults - beware hot)

Cut fish fillets to 3 inch pieces. Clean and wash the fish pieces with lemon juice.

Add salt and pepper to taste to season the fish fillets. If using the whole fish you could season them with all the ingredients and marinate. Since I only use fish fillets I skip the marination part.

Wash, chop/grate the seasoning in the list above.

Heat oil to medium heat in a pan. Add onions and fry till transparent. Add garlic-ginger, green onions and celery and cook for another minute until soft.

Add tomatoes and cook until soft.

Add the water (you may need more or less), thyme, parsley and mix well. Add the fish fillets one by one gently and add the tomato paste. Check and adjust for salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 5 mins until all the fish pieces are cooked (i.e., they will turn opaque).  

Serve with rice/dumplings, daal and vegetables. Here is Anjalie enjoying it very much. She kept repeating that it is her favourite :) The simple taste of the stew fish is bound to be a hit with children.