Bahamas - Chicken Souse

I took it to the Caribbean tonight, and went to the Bahamas! Just missing the plantains and pina colada! A souse has several different meanings. It can be a Caribbean dish that is marinated in a pickled juice and served cold. "Souse" can also be a verb, and mean to plunge, immerse, drench something in liquid. Serving this dish hot was perfect (I can't imagine it cold). Also, the souse had a full tablespoon of allspice in it. I think I've traditionally used allspice in gingerbread, and so this seemed like a lot for a soup, but it was actually really tasty! Allspice is an actual spice, which originated in Central America and the Caribbean.

Now for fun facts! The Bahamas has the Western Hemisphere's 3rd highest GDP in the new world. The Bahamian dollar is 1:1 with the U.S. dollar. It has snowed once - on January 17, 1977 - there wasn't any accumulation, but it did flurry! The Bahamas is not technically a part of the Caribbean, but it's very similar in climate and location. Lastly, there are 700 islands that make up the Bahamas, but only about 30 are occupied.

I listened to a little Bahamian music while I cooked this evening.

 

Bahamian Chicken Souse

Makes about 12 servings/ Takes about 2 hours to prepare/cook

24 chicken wings (I used 6 chicken breasts, cubed)

3 tablespoons lime juice (I used lemon juice)

1 teaspoon seasoned salt (I used 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt)

1 teaspoon vegetable oil (I used olive oil)

1 large onion, diced

1/2 green pepper, diced (I used a full pepper)

6 large potatoes, peeled and diced

3 carrots, diced (I used a full small bag of carrots, there were about 6 carrots in there)

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon ground allspice

2 bay leaves (I used thyme - 2 bay leaves = 1 teaspoon of thyme)

3/4 cup lime juice (I used lemon juice again)

3 cups of water (I used 5 cups)

Salt and black pepper to taste (I didn't use any)

1. Toss the chicken with 3 tablespoons of lime juice and seasoned salt. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour. (I didn't pay attention and didn't realize it needed an hour. However, after chopping everything, it was probably about an hour-ish.)

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper; cook and stir until the onion has softened and begun to brown, about 10 minutes.

3. Add the potatoes, carrots, red pepper flakes, allspice, bay leaves, marinated chicken, lime juice and water. Bring to a simmer. then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue simmering until the chicken is no longer pink at the bone, and the vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

In Bahamian Creole.... I earned my badge!