Jamaican Breakfast: Cabbage and Carrot, Saltfish & Fried Dumplings Done Right!

saltfish

🥗Healthier: smoked mackerel

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

smoked mackerel provides a similar flavor profile with less cost.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

coconut oil adds a tropical flavor and is often used in Jamaican cooking.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

whole wheat flour increases fiber content.

lime juice

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

lemon juice offers a similar acidity and flavor.

Rinse off excess salt from the salted cod (saltfish).

Boil the saltfish for a few minutes to remove salt, or soak in fresh water for 1-2 hours, changing the water a couple of times.

Taste the saltfish after soaking to check the salt level before cooking.

Remove outer leaves from the cabbage, cut in half, and remove the stem.

Slice the cabbage into thin strips.

Wash and slice the large carrot into pieces.

Heat a splash of olive oil in a pot.

Add 1 tbsp chopped garlic, 2 stalks chopped scallion, and 1 scotch bonnet pepper to the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes.

Add 1 sliced onion and sauté until fragrant.

Add the saltfish to the pot and sauté for a few more minutes until it absorbs flavors.

Add 1 tomato and sauté for about a minute, followed by the sweet pepper.

Add the cabbage to the pot and sprinkle with black pepper, cooking until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.

For the dumplings, combine 10 oz all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl.

Add 1 oz melted butter and 6 oz water, mixing to hydrate the flour.

Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.

After resting, stretch and fold the dough for about 2 minutes until smooth, then let it rest for another 10 minutes.

Shape the dumplings by grabbing small pieces of dough and rolling them into balls, dusting with flour to prevent sticking.

Let the shaped dumplings rest for another 5 minutes before frying.

Deep fry the dumplings over medium-low heat until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: