Jamaicans have various names for tin mackerel, a favourite option for its cost friendliness and convenience. This dish is a classic comfort food that you can’t go wrong with. Some common names include:
- Tin Boom
- Dutty Gal
- Flash Out
Jamaicans enjoy tin mackerel in various ways, often incorporating it in meals for added flavor and protein. Common dishes include mackerel rundown, where the fish is simmered in coconut milk with spices, and mackerel and rice, where it’s mixed with rice and seasonings. It’s also popular as a sandwich filling or eaten straight from the can with crackers for a quick snack.
Val’s Kitchen shows viewers how to make a super simple and incredibly delicious Jamaican delicacy in seven steps:
Gather Your Ingredients
You will need:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Hot pepper
- Tomato
- Sweet pepper
- Black pepper
- Vinegar
- Cooking oil
- Seasoning
- Flour
- Tin mackerel
- Rice
- Green bananas
- Ketchup
Prepare the Seasonings
Chop up the onion, garlic, hot pepper, tomato, and sweet pepper finely.
Mix them all together with some black pepper, vinegar, and seasoning.
Boil the Dumplings
Get a pot of water boiling. While waiting, mix flour and a pinch of salt with water to form dough.
Shape into small dumplings and drop into the boiling water.
Cook until they float to the top.
Pan-Fry the Mackerel
Heat some cooking oil in a skillet.
Add the seasoned mixture and cook until fragrant.
Then, add in the tin mackerel and break it into smaller pieces. Let it simmer on low heat.
Steam the rice and boil the bananas
Cook the rice until fluffy, and boil the bananas until tender.
Add the final touch
Drizzle some ketchup over the rice for added flavor.
Serve and enjoy
Plate up the cornmeal dumplings, pan-fried mackerel, steamed rice, and boiled bananas. Add a side of pepper sauce for an extra kick.
Photo – Val’s Kitchen Jamaican Style
