Jamaican Cookery News

Fricassee chicken is not stewed chicken; they are prepared differently. In Jamaica fricassee chicken is commonly called 'fry and cook-down chicken' or 'old-fashioned chicken'. This is not the healthiest method of preparing chicken. Therefore,eating fricassee chicken once per week is good enough.

Ingredients
3 lbs. chicken or 6-8 chicken pieces
1 tbsp. Chinese soy sauce (optional)
Salt to taste
1. tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. chili powder (optional)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1/2 tsp. oregano (optional)
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves (optional)
1/2 tsp. tarragon (optional)
Piece of thyme
Piece of hot pepper, chopped
2 slices of sweet pepper, chopped (optional)
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, (optional)
2 tbsp. ketchup
1/2 cup water
1 small ripe tomato,(seeds removed, optional)
Method
step1
Cut chicken into serving pieces. Wash with lime and water or vinegar and water solution to get rid of slime. I choose not to remove the skin. I explained why in the previous video. Put to drain off excess water for 5 minutes.
step2
In a container, seasoned the chicken pieces with all the ingredients, except the ketchup and oil. Cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes (marinate)
step3
Put a Dutch pot or skillet with the oil to hot over medium heat. Remove the seasoning from the chicken pieces.Lower the heat (between medium/low) Put 3-4 pieces of chicken in the hot oil (depending on the size pot). Cover the pot and fry each side of the chicken until lightly brown (about 3-4 minutes, each side). Remove fried chicken pieces from the pot and put into a container. Continue the steps until all the chicken pieces have been fried.
step4
Pour off the oil, leaving just a tiny amount in the pot. Add the water to the pot, add the seasonings. Turn up the heat to medium, cover the pot and cook the seasonings for 5 minutes. Put the fried chicken pieces in the pot. Spoon over the sauce on the chicken pieces. Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. Add the ketchup. Cover the pot and simmer until the liquid is reduce to gravy (5 minutes or so) Remove from heat and serve with your favourite food