Bahamas Grits and Corn Beef Hash
Tru Bahamian Must Consume: Fire Engine
Among our favourite Bahamian soul foods is a dish called Burn down Engine. Perhaps more widely recognized as Steamed Corned Beefiness, this traditional breakfast is an absolute staple in the diets and culture of The Bahamian people. Canned corned beef sauteed with a medley of diced veggies and served alongside generous portions of buttery grits or rice is a dish designed to keep you satisfied from your outset delicious bite to your next meal. Bring together usa in [eating and] discovering why Fire Engine is so popular among locals…
What Is Burn down Engine?
This salty, spicy, savoury comfort nutrient (or local hangover cure) is typically served at breakfast but like any skillful staple can too be enjoyed for any meal of the day. Keeping costs depression and energy loftier, the bread-basket, shelf-stable items that brand upward the core ingredients of the dish include: corned beef, lycopersicon esculentum paste, corn kernels, seasonings, and grits or rice. Other ingredients of Fire Engine can be locally harvested or are easily accessible in the food markets, ie: onion, sweetness pepper, celery, and tomatoes. Notably, a Fire Engine repast costs little to produce and keeps your abdomen warm and satisfied for a good while or at least until you're ready to devour a second helping.
Origins Of The Dish
Nearly interestingly, the proper name 'Burn down Engine' has ambiguous origins. Like any good mystery, the more people you inquire the more mislead you experience. We've narrowed our findings down to two of the nearly popular explanations you'll meet on the island:
- A normally cited theory is that Bahamian cooks add so much local, caprine animal pepper to the dish that it feels similar your oral cavity is on fire. And (always so dramatically) you'd require the emergency assistance of a fire brigade to squelch the flames.
- Another explanation you might hear signals the rich ruddy tomatoey sauce of the steamed corned beef in one case prepared which contrasts the white grits or rice that the cook chooses as the starchy foundation of their version. Along with the optional brilliant yellowish corn kernels thrown in for sugariness, the final result of this recipe resembles the aesthetics of a fire truck.
If seeing is believing, and then we believe, tasting is agreement. We promise y'all'll give this i a try on your next trip and decipher for yourself which caption for its name you subscribe to.
Where To Detect Burn down Engine
Credit: The Bitchin' Kitchin'
Your all-time bet for a truly Bahamian, authentic culinary experience would be to set out early and investigate roadside food carts or stalls. Yous'd be hard-pressed to observe an offer for a $0.99 breakfast these days, every bit traditional breakfasts typically range from $1.50-$2.00 per order- but look out for those 99c Breakfast signs to guide you lot withal. Another local tip is to keep your eyes peeled and your nose downwind from your nearest construction site as these mobile nutrient trucks tend to follow the workers, offering some of the most flavourful and reasonably priced sustenance around. If this hunting and gathering method seems a lilliputian too adventurous for y'all, you'll withal observe that most local joints will accept Fire Engine on their breakfast menu as a fortifying morning staple.
Where to find some of the best Fire Engine breakfasts in Nassau:
- Imperial Take Away– beyond from The Hilton in downtown Nassau
- The Cricket Gild– across from Arawak Cay on West Bay Street
- Bahamian Cookin'– Trinity Place off of Market Street downtown Nassau
How To Prepare Burn Engine At Domicile
This recipe, derived from Fiddling House Past The Ferry (the weblog of a Bahamian resident, Amanda, from Green Turtle Cay, Abaco), yields roughly six servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 cans (12 ounces each) corned beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- one pocket-sized dark-green bong pepper, chopped
- i stalk celery, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Directions:
- On medium-high heat, sweat the onion, green bell pepper, and celery in a large frying pan with canola oil until translucent
- Add all remaining ingredients into the frying pan, stirring regularly until the corned beef is heated through and becomes a smoothen consistency
- Reduce the stovetop to depression heat, encompass the frying pan with a fitted lid, and allow the ingredients to steam and flavours to develop for 15 minutes
Chef'due south Notes:
The higher up recipe yields a milder-flavoured dish. If yous prefer more heat, add diced hot pepper (local, Bahamian caprine animal pepper preferred) or hot sauce to taste while cooking. And if you lot're trying to limit your table salt intake, it'south worth checking labels, since sodium levels vary amongst corned beef brands.
Serving Suggestions:
Bahamian Steamed Corned Beefiness is transformed into Burn Engine when it is paired with your choice of white/yellowish grits or white/brown rice, and in some cases a serving of whole kernel canned corn for added texture and sweet. Enjoy!
Source: https://www.trubahamianfoodtours.com/best-nassau/fire-engine/