Lucian Stewed Fish with Spiced Lentil Pumpkin Mash

About this meal

A hearty, muscle-building Lucian-inspired lunch featuring fresh local fish, stewed with classic spices, served with a savory mash of lentils and pumpkin, enhanced with herbs for flavor and nutrients. The side drink is a 'Ginger Lime Coconut Refresher'—a zesty, refreshing beverage to support hydration and digestion.

Ingredients

• Fresh Firm White Fish (snapper or kingfish) — 200g fillet
• Lime juice — 2 tbsp
• Salt (sea salt) — 1/4 tsp
• Black pepper — 1/4 tsp
• Fresh thyme — 1 tbsp chopped
• Garlic — 2 cloves, minced
• Ginger — 2 tsp grated
• Scallion (green onion) — 2 stalks, sliced
• Tomato — 1 medium, diced
• Red bell pepper — 1/2, sliced
• Coconut oil — 2 tsp
• Red lentils — 3/4 cup cooked (about 60g dry)
• Pumpkin (Caribbean calabaza) — 120g, diced
• Onion — 1/4 small, chopped
• Cumin — 1/2 tsp
• Fresh parsley — 1 tbsp, chopped
• Olive oil — 1 tsp
• Drink: Coconut water — 1 cup
• Drink: Fresh ginger — 1/2 tsp, grated
• Drink: Lime juice — 1 tbsp
• Drink: Honey (optional) — 1/2 tsp
• Drink: Mint leaves — 4-5 leaves

Steps

1. Marinate fish fillet with lime juice, salt, pepper, half of the thyme, half of the ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove for at least 15 minutes.
2. Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium. Add onion, scallion, remaining garlic, remaining ginger, sauté until fragrant. Add tomatoes and red bell pepper. Cook to soften (about 3 minutes).
3. Place marinated fish fillet into skillet. Spoon vegetables over. Sprinkle with remaining thyme. Cover, letting fish cook gently for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
4. Boil pumpkin cubes until soft (7 minutes), drain. In a saucepan, combine olive oil, cumin, and sauté. Add cooked lentils, boiled pumpkin, and parsley. Mash all together, season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Serve fish topped with stewed vegetables over the lentil-pumpkin mash.
6. For the drink: In a glass, muddle grated ginger and mint leaves. Add lime juice and honey. Pour in cold coconut water and stir well. Add ice and garnish with extra mint if desired.