Caribbean Jerk Fish Bowl

Caribbean Jerk Fish Bowls make a filling and flavorful dinner. Fresh Caribbean jerk seasoned fish tops a tomato sauce mixture served with quinoa and pan fried plantains. 

WHAT IS A CARIBBEAN JERK FISH BOWL

These flavor packed bowls contain Caribbean Jerk seasoned fish, a fresh tomato sauce, fluffy quinoa, and and fried plantains. Their name comes from the jerk seasoning used to flavor the fish. 

WHERE DID JERK COME FROM?

Jerk is a style of cooking that originated in the Caribbean, specifically in Jamaica. It refers to the method of rubbing meat with a hot spice mixture and then cooking the meat over an open flame for a long period of time to dry out the meat. 

Now days we use the word jerk to refer to the seasoning used on the meat being cooked. There are many different styles of jerk seasoning but they can all mostly be described as having a hot and savory flavor. 

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE

I love this recipe because it was inspired by a similar street food I used to eat growing up in Africa. The dish was a grilled red snapper served with a spicy street tomato sauce and a side of attiéké, similar to couscous. Every bite of this Caribbean Jerk Fish Bowl reminds me of this dish.

This flavorful dinner recipe makes a complete and balanced meal. Carbs, protein, vegetables, and fruit come together in these jerk fish bowls. Not to mention, this complete meal comes together in about 40 minutes making it a quick dinner recipe for your busy weeknights. 

Also, try making this recipe as a quick meal prep for lunches. Simply portion the fish, quinoa, tomato sauce, and plantains into your meal prep containers to get some of your lunches covered for the week. 

HOW TO MAKE CARIBBEAN JERK FISH BOWLS

INGREDIENTS

Seasoned Fish– fresh mahi mahi is seasoned with Caribbean Jerk Spice, cumin, olive oil, and lemon for a hot and savory flavor. 

Tomato Sauce– fresh sliced tomatoes, onion, tomato paste, and olive oil complete this simple tomato sauce.

Sides– quinoa, plantains, and chili peppers top off this filling dish!

STEPS

Begin by making the quinoa. To prepare the quinoa bring 2 cups of water to boil in a sauce pan, add 3/4 tsp salt and 2 tsp of olive oil to the water and bring to a boil. When the water is at a boil, add the quinoa and let it cook until the water goes down a bit. 

Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and give it a stir. Allow the quinoa to rest, covered, until ready to serve.

While the quinoa cooks you can prepare the plantains. Peel and slice the plantains in a diagonal cut called a bias, this allows you to have longer wider cuts. Fry the sliced plantains in a non-stick skillet and lay on a paper towel to drain until ready to assemble your bowls.

Next, prepare the tomato sauce. Begin by thinly slicing the onion and the tomatoes. In a non-stick skillet heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and caramelize. Next add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and salt. Let them cook on low heat, covered until the sauce thickens up. This should take about 5-7 minutes. 

To prepare the Caribbean Jerk Fish, pat the fish dry with a paper towel and marinate with the jerk spice, olive oil, cumin, and lemon. Heat a large non-stick skillet, at least 12-inches or large enough to fit the 4 fish. Pan sear the fish on medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked.

To assemble your bowls, place quinoa, plantains, and some of the tomato sauce around the bowl. Top the tomato sauce with your jerk fish and garnish with chili peppers as needed. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS CARIBBEAN JERK SPICE?

While there is no one specific recipe for jerk seasoning it typically includes a mix of flavors from chilies, thyme, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, garlic, and onion.

I used a pre-made Caribbean jerk spice that you can get at your local grocery store, or you can make your own. Check out my Sauces and Seasonings Board on Pinterest for some easy homemade jerk seasoning recipes. 

CAN YOU USE OTHER FISH IN THE RECIPE?

While I used Mahi Mahi in this Caribbean Jerk Fish Bowl recipe. If you can’t find Mahi Mahi at the store, cod, red snapper fillet, sea bass, tilapia, and really any white fish should work fine.

WHY SHOULD I RINSE THE QUINOA?

Quinoa naturally contains a coating called saponin. This coating gives the quinoa a bitter and soapy flavor. By rinsing the quinoa you are removing the saponin and thus removing the bitter flavor. Many packaged quinoas typically come pre-rinsed but it never hurts to give it a second rinse. 

If you try this Caribbean Jerk Fish Bowls recipe and like it, please use my hashtag to share it with me on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in my story! Also, follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.

OTHER SIMILAR RECIPES

• Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce
• Easy Beef Shawarma Bowl
• Grilled Chicken Lime Bowl
• Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl
• Spicy Honey Garlic Salmon