Oil Down, The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Oil Down, The Ultimate Comfort Food recipe. Photo by Chris De La Rosa
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Upon closer examination, you’ll see traits of a soup, a chunky stew, and even the most critical Grenadian must admit that this version is spectacular. Admittedly, a classic Grenadian Oil Down contains layers of textures and flavors that are somewhat steamed to avoid the soup-like texture you’ll see in this recipe.
Prep all of the ingredients; this includes pre-boiling the salted pigtail pieces in a deep pot of water for about one hour. This will help tenderize them and remove most of the salt it was cured in.
Season the cleaned chicken pieces (remove the skin and fat and wash with the juice of a lime or lemon, if you normally wash your chicken) with the green seasoning, 1/2 the black pepper, salt, and curry powder.
Turn the heat down to med/low in the same pot and add the onion, garlic, 1/2 of the pimento peppers (sliced), 1/2 of the scallions, thyme, and the Scotch Bonnet pepper. Cook for 4 minutes. Stir well.
Add the pre-cooked salted pigtail pieces and stir well. Then add pumpkin, sweet potatoes, okra, remaining black pepper, and pre-boiled breadfruit (discussed in the video).
Add water, coconut milk, chicken stock powder, and grated ginger. Turn the heat up to bring it to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes.
At this point, add the spinach and continue cooking. Were I in the Caribbean or had access to good Dasheen leaves (Taro), I’d prefer using that instead.
Cook for a further 25-30 minutes, and it should be perfect. At this point, you can taste and adjust the salt to your liking (be mindful that the salted pigtail, along with the chicken stock, will add salt to the dish).
You can adjust the liquid to make it more of a soup consistency. It will further thicken as it cools. I like finishing with the remaining scallions, pimento peppers, and the addition of parsley and Chadon Beni. Cook a further 3-5 minutes, and you’re done.
Conclusion
This Oil Down recipe is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the best of Caribbean flavors. With its rich and flavorful broth, tender meat, and variety of textures, it’s sure to become a new favorite.
FAQs
- What is Oil Down?
- Oil Down is a traditional Grenadian dish made with salted pigtail, chicken, and a variety of spices and vegetables.
- What is salted pigtail?
- Salted pigtail is a type of cured pork tail that is commonly used in Caribbean cuisine.
- What is the origin of Oil Down?
- Oil Down is a traditional dish from Grenada, a small island nation in the Caribbean.
- Can I use substitutes for the ingredients?
- Yes, you can substitute certain ingredients with similar alternatives. For example, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken legs and thighs.
- How do I adjust the seasoning?
- You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding more or less of the spices and herbs.