Dominica Fish Broth (Peppery Fish and Provisions Soup)
Local name: Fish broth
In short: Dominica's peppery fish broth with fish steaks, green bananas, dasheen, carrots and little flour dumplings in a thyme and scallion broth. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Fish broth is a peppery, clear soup of fresh fish, root vegetables, green bananas and small flour dumplings, simmered with thyme, scallion and a whole scotch bonnet. It is a staple in Dominica, eaten at lunch and sold at roadside stands, and it is a comforting meal in a bowl. Use firm fish steaks on the bone for the best broth, and keep the pot at a gentle simmer so the fish stays whole.
Instructions
- Toss the fish with the lime juice and a pinch of salt and leave in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Put the water, onion, garlic, scallions, thyme, scotch bonnet, green bananas, plantain, dasheen, carrot and the salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the flour, salt and water into a firm dough. Pinch off small pieces and roll them into finger-length dumplings.
- Drop the dumplings into the simmering broth and cook for 8 minutes, until they are firm and float.
- Add the fish and black pepper. Simmer gently for 6 to 8 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily (63°C / 145°F). Do not stir hard, or the fish will break up.
- Remove the scotch bonnet, taste for salt and ladle into deep bowls with plenty of broth and some of each vegetable.
Tips
- Keep the scotch bonnet whole for flavor with moderate heat. Pierce it once with a fork for a spicier broth.
- Fish on the bone gives the broth body. If you only have fillets, add them in the last 4 minutes.
Questions and answers
What fish is best for fish broth?
Firm, meaty fish such as kingfish, tuna, mahi-mahi or snapper. Cut it into thick pieces so it holds together in the broth.
Can I make fish broth ahead of time?
You can make the broth and vegetables ahead, then add the fish just before serving. Cooked fish gets dry when reheated.
Can I skip the dumplings?
Yes. The soup is still filling with the green bananas and root vegetables, and it becomes gluten-free if you leave out the dumplings.
How long does it take to make Dominica Fish Broth (Peppery Fish and Provisions Soup)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dominica Fish Broth (Peppery Fish and Provisions Soup)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 37 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
