Belizean Boil Up
Often called the 'stew of the people,' Belizean Boil Up is a hearty, one-pot meal featuring a medley of ingredients including salted meat (like pigtail), fish, root vegetables (yam, cassava, sweet potato), green bananas, ripe plantains, and boiled eggs. It's all simmered together and often served with a simple tomato-based sauce and boiled dumplings.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Salted pigtail or salted beef(rinsed and pre-boiled to remove excess salt)
- 1 lb Firm white fish fillets(such as snapper or grouper, cut into chunks)
- 1 lb Yam(peeled and cut into 3-inch chunks)
- 1 lb Cassava (yuca)(peeled and cut into 3-inch chunks)
- 1 lb Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 3-inch chunks)
- 2 Green bananas(peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 Ripe plantains(peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 4 large Eggs(hard-boiled and halved)
- 6 cups Water(or as needed)
- 3 Tomatoes(diced)
- 1 Onion(chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper(to taste)
- 2 cups Flour(for dumplings)
- 1 tsp Baking powder(for dumplings)
- 0.5 cup Water(for dumplings)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the salted pigtail or beef thoroughly. Boil in water for 30-40 minutes, changing the water halfway through to remove excess salt. Drain and set aside.
- 2
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant.
- 3
Add the pre-boiled salted meat to the pot and stir for a few minutes. Pour in 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- 4
Add the chopped yam, cassava, sweet potatoes, green bananas, and ripe plantains to the pot. Add more water if needed to cover the ingredients. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- 5
While the ground provisions are cooking, prepare the dumplings: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water, kneading to form a firm dough. Shape into small balls.
💡 Tip: Do not overwork the dough. - 6
Gently add the fish chunks and the halved hard-boiled eggs to the pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to break the fish apart. - 7
Place the prepared dumpling balls on top of the other ingredients in the pot. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and the fish is tender.
- 8
While the boil up finishes, prepare the sauce: In a separate small saucepan, sauté diced tomatoes until softened. Season with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Alternatively, some prefer a simple broth from the boil up pot as the sauce. - 9
Serve the Boil Up hot, with all the components arranged on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Spoon the tomato sauce over the top.
💡 Tip: This dish is meant to be enjoyed with all the elements together.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the salted meat is well-rinsed and pre-boiled to avoid an overly salty dish.
- ✓Different root vegetables can be used based on availability.
- ✓Some variations include adding coconut milk to the broth for added richness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other proteins like chicken or pork.
- Some families add a splash of coconut milk to the broth.