Barbados Pudding & Souse (Steam Pudding)

pork

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Chicken is leaner, while pork shoulder is more affordable.

lime juice

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice provides a similar acidity with fewer calories.

cornmeal

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: polenta

Quinoa offers more protein, while polenta is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, and margarine can be more cost-effective.

Esther starts preparing the dish at 11:30 PM, indicating that the process takes all night.

She mentions that the final dish takes about a week to assemble with ingredients sourced from the street market, butcher, and plantation.

The stuffing of the pork bellies requires patience and careful measurement by hand.

Esther emphasizes the importance of steaming the pork bellies properly to avoid tearing them under over-steaming.

She discusses the choice of pork cuts, mentioning lean or fatty options based on preference.

At 5:30 AM, she begins the traditional pudding and salt preparation, showcasing a mix of different foods and colors.

She highlights the salty flavor from the water used in the dish, which adds an extra kick to the meat.

Esther describes the texture of the meat as soft and tender, emphasizing the steaming process.

She mentions the sweet and tangy flavor profile of the pudding, noting the spice levels that Barbadians enjoy.

Esther talks about the use of breadfruit in the dish, explaining that it can be substituted with sweet potato if breadfruit is out of season.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary