Fried Bakes and Saltfish

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup water (or enough to make a soft dough)
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

2. Add Butter: Mix the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add Water: Gradually add the water, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.

4. Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

5. Shape the Bakes: Divide the dough into small balls, then flatten each ball into a disc about 1/4 inch thick.

6. Fry the Bakes: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the dough discs until they are golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Saltfish Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb saltfish (salted cod)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 Scotch bonnet peppers (optional, for heat), chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
• 1 lime or lemon (optional, for soaking the fish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Saltfish:

   • Rinse the saltfish to remove excess salt. Soak it in cold water for a few hours or overnight, changing the water a couple of times to remove most of the salt. You can also boil the saltfish for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process, then drain and rinse.
   • Once desalted, flake the fish into small pieces, removing any bones and skin.

2. Sauté the Vegetables:

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, and Scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

3. Cook the Saltfish:

   • Add the flaked saltfish to the pan, along with the chopped tomatoes and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
   • Season with black pepper and paprika (if using). Adjust salt to taste, though you may not need much since the saltfish is naturally salty.

4. Finish and Serve:

   • Remove from heat. Serve the saltfish alongside the fried bakes.

Enjoy your delicious Grenadian Bakes and Saltfish! This dish is a comforting and flavorful start to any day.