Jamaican codfish fritters recipe

In this post, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to create these mouthwatering fritters from scratch. You don’t need to be a chef or have fancy equipment. With common ingredients and a few insider tips, you’ll be serving up a batch of these irresistible bites in no time. So, let’s get started and bring a taste of Jamaica to your table!

Ingredients List

When you’re ready to make Jamaican Codfish Fritters, the first thing you need is a list of ingredients. This is like your treasure map to delicious fritters. Make sure you have everything on this list before you start cooking.

• Codfish: This is the star of the show. You’ll need about 1 pound of salted codfish. If you can’t find salted codfish, you can use fresh codfish too.
• Flour: Grab 2 cups of all-purpose flour. This will help hold your fritters together.
• Baking Powder: You’ll need one teaspoon. This makes your fritters fluffy.
• Eggs: Get two large eggs. They add richness to your fritters.
• Milk: You’ll use 1 cup of milk to mix with your dry ingredients.
• Onion: Chop up one medium onion. This gives a nice, sharp taste.
• Scallions: Also known as green onions, chop up about 3 of them for a fresh flavor.
• Garlic: Mince 2 cloves of garlic for a punch of taste.
• Thyme: You need one teaspoon of dried thyme or two teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves.
• Black Pepper: Just a pinch to add a little spice.
• Vegetable Oil: You’ll need enough to fill your frying pan about an inch deep. This is for frying your fritters to golden perfection.

If you or someone you’re cooking for can’t eat certain things, don’t worry. You can change some ingredients. For example, if you can’t have dairy, use water or dairy-free milk instead of regular milk. If you’re allergic to gluten, try using a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

Preparing the Codfish

Before we dive into making the batter, we need to get our codfish ready. This part is important because it’s what gives the fritters their special taste.

Making the Batter

Now that our codfish is all set let’s make the batter that will hold our fritters together.

• Mixing Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, put in your flour and baking powder. Mix these together until they’re well combined. This is the base of your batter.
• Adding the Eggs and Milk: Crack your eggs into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Then, pour in the milk. If you’re not using milk, this is where you add your water or dairy-free milk.
• Combining Everything: Stir everything together until it’s smooth. You want to make sure there are no lumps in the batter. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Adding the Flavors: Now, add your flaked codfish, chopped onion, scallions, minced garlic, thyme, and a pinch of black pepper to the batter. Give it a good stir to make sure all the flavors are mixed in.
• Letting the Batter Rest: Let your batter sit for about 10 minutes. This lets the baking powder start working to make your fritters light and fluffy.

Frying the Fritters

Now comes the fun part – frying the fritters! This is where they turn into golden, crispy delights.

• Shaping the Fritters: While the oil is heating, take a spoon and scoop up some of the batter. You can use another spoon or your finger to push it off into the oil. Be careful not to splash. The fritters should be about the size of a golf ball. If you want them all the same size, you can use a small ice cream scoop.
• Frying in Batches: Don’t crowd the pan. Fry a few fritters at a time so they have room to cook evenly. They’ll need about 2-3 minutes on each side. When they’re golden brown and crispy, they’re ready.
• Draining the Fritters: Once they’re fried to perfection, use a slotted spoon to take them out of the oil. Let them drain on a plate lined with paper towels. This gets rid of any extra oil.
• Keeping Them Warm: If you’re not eating them right away, you can keep the fritters warm in the oven. Just set the oven to a low temperature, like 200°F, and put the cooked fritters on a baking sheet inside.

Serving Suggestions

After cooking up a storm with your Jamaican Codfish Fritters, it’s time to think about how to serve them. Here are some ideas to make your fritters the star of the meal.

• Plating Your Fritters: Place your fritters on a nice plate. You can arrange them in a circle or stack them up. Add some color with a few lettuce leaves or slices of tomato on the side.
• Dipping Sauces: Fritters are great with dips. Try a simple mayonnaise or ketchup. If you want something more exciting, how about a spicy Jamaican jerk sauce? Just a little bit for dipping, not too much.
• Sides: What goes well with fritters? You can’t go wrong with some fried plantains or a fresh salad. Or, serve them with a scoop of rice and peas for a real Jamaican meal.
• For Parties: If you’re making fritters for a party, put them on a big platter. Stick toothpicks in them so people can grab them easily. Watch them disappear!
• As a Snack: Fritters are perfect for a quick snack. Just a couple will fill you up until your next meal.
• For Kids: If kids will be eating the fritters, cut them into smaller pieces. They’ll love dipping them into a sweet and tangy sauce.

Final Analysis

Remember, cooking is all about having fun and trying new things. So, don’t be afraid to add your own twist to the recipe. Maybe you’ll add a little more garlic for extra flavor or throw in some chopped peppers for a bit of heat. It’s your kitchen, so you make the rules! We hope you enjoyed following along with this recipe.

If you did, share your fritter-making adventure with us. We’d love to hear how it went and see pictures of your delicious creations. And if you have any questions or need more tips, just ask. We’re here to help you make every meal memorable.