Goat Water
A hearty and flavorful traditional stew made with goat meat, often considered the national dish of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It's rich with local spices and vegetables, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Goat meat(cut into 1-inch pieces, bone-in preferred)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped, seeds removed for less heat)
- 2 sprigs Thyme
- 2 leaves Bay leaves
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 1 cup Okra(sliced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 6 cups Water or broth
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour(for dredging)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 stalks Green onions(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the goat meat with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour.
💡 Tip: Dredging helps to thicken the stew. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the goat meat on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped scotch bonnet pepper, sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 5
Return the goat meat to the pot. Add thyme sprigs, bay leaves, water or broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours, or until the goat meat is tender.
- 6
Add the chopped carrots and potatoes to the pot. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- 7
Stir in the sliced okra and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until tender and slightly thickened.
💡 Tip: Okra will help to thicken the stew. - 8
Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use bone-in goat meat.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓If the stew is too thin, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot to thicken it, or make a slurry of flour and water.
- ✓Goat water often tastes even better the next day.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include dumplings cooked in the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Add other root vegetables like yams or dasheen.
- A splash of rum can be added for an extra layer of flavor.