Dominica Mountain Chicken Creole
A flavorful Creole-style preparation of frog legs (traditionally 'mountain chicken'), marinated and pan-fried, then simmered in a rich, savory sauce with aromatic vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 12-16 pairs Frog legs(farm-raised, or substitute with chicken thighs)
- 1 large Lime(for washing and juice)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- 1 tsp Thyme(chopped fresh)
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 1/2 medium Green bell pepper(sliced)
- 1 small Seasoning pepper(sliced (optional, for flavor))
- 1/4 cup Flour(for dredging)
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1/4 cup Vegetable oil(for frying)
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the frog legs: Wash them thoroughly and rub with lime juice. Rinse with cold water. Pat dry.
- 2
Season the frog legs with minced garlic, salt, pepper, vinegar, and thyme. Let them marinate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
- 3
Dredge the marinated frog legs in flour, shaking off any excess.
- 4
Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the floured frog legs until golden brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- 5
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, green bell pepper, and seasoning pepper (if using). Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 6
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 7
Add the water and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- 8
Return the fried frog legs to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the frog legs are cooked through and tender. The sauce should thicken slightly.
- 9
Serve hot, traditionally with provisions (boiled root vegetables like yams, dasheen, and green bananas), rice and peas, or white rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Mountain chicken is an endangered species in Dominica, so it's important to use farm-raised frog legs or a sustainable alternative like chicken thighs.
- ✓Marinating is crucial for tenderizing and flavoring the meat.
- ✓Do not overcook the frog legs after frying, as they will continue to cook in the sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of white wine or rum to the sauce for extra depth of flavor.
- Include other vegetables like carrots or celery in the sauce.