Bahamian Johnny Cake Stew
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chunks of pork or chicken simmered with vegetables and spices, served with a side of traditional Bahamian Johnny Cake for dipping. This dish offers a comforting and authentic taste of Bahamian home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork shoulder or Chicken thighs(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 2 medium Bell peppers (mixed colors)(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 14.5 oz can Diced tomatoes(undrained)
- 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Thyme(dried)
- 4 whole Allspice berries
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 cups Cornmeal(for Johnny Cake)
- 1 cup All-purpose flour(for Johnny Cake)
- 2 tsp Baking powder(for Johnny Cake)
- 1 tsp Salt(for Johnny Cake)
- 1 cup Milk(approx., for Johnny Cake)
- 0.25 cup Melted butter(for Johnny Cake)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season pork or chicken with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onion and bell peppers to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Return the meat to the pot. Add diced tomatoes (undrained), chicken or vegetable broth, thyme, and allspice berries. Bring to a boil.
- 6
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally.
- 7
While the stew simmers, prepare the Johnny Cake: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 8
In a separate bowl, combine milk and melted butter. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- 9
Pour the Johnny Cake batter into a greased 8x8 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 10
Remove allspice berries from the stew before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- 11
Serve the hot stew with slices of freshly baked Johnny Cake.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the meat in batches.
- ✓If the stew becomes too thick, add more broth or water.
- ✓Johnny Cake can also be cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over low heat, covered.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or okra to the stew.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped scotch bonnet pepper to the stew.