Recipe Wanted

[JBR]

I have been looking for a recipe for Chicken Souse, but cannot find one. Thought i would try here.

[Moderator Elf]

Just in case: Google recipes for "chicken souse" and you will find some.

[mermaid]

This was published in the Abaco Journal Feb 1997.

ABACO'S COOKING!

SOUSE

The word 'souse' as used in The Bahamas is somewhat different from its original meaning. Elsewhere in the English speaking world a souse is pickled meat, usually pig feet (trotters) and ears. In The Bahamas a souse is more of a simple meat soup which contains the pickling spices but not the vinegar of the original. The essential tartness is added at serving term using sour lemon or lime juice. Souse is one of the most popular breakfast and lunch meals on Abaco. You will often see it advertised as 'souce'. This is an archaic spelling but perfectly in tune with Abaco's Loyallist heritage.

Souses are usually made from pig feet, sheep tongue and chicken. There's even conch souse. King of all souses on Abaco is one prepared from local wild hog.

There are as many souse recipes as there are cooks. Everybody adds their own touches. The meats are usually scrubbed well, covered with cold water and brought to a boil. The first water is discarded and the meat rinsed well before covering with a second set of water.

Bristles are removed from pig feet and sheep tongues are skinned and de-boned. Chicken souse is normally made from necks, hearts, wings and gizzards. The hearts and gizzards are trimmed of fat but the neck skin is usually left on.

The standard seasonings for souse are onions, salt, whole black peppercorns and whole allspice. Whole bird peppers, chopped celery and diced sweet peppers are sometimes added. A muslin bag containing pickling spices can be used for the seasoning. Sliced or diced potatoes are sometimes added to chicken souse towards the end of the cooking time.

The cooking time for souse depends upon which meat is used. Serve souses with bird peppers and lime wedges on the side, along with lots of freshly-baked bread.

[stormchaser]

We had the chicken souse from Turtle Hill while there in July. Had never had it before. It was delicious!!. Would luv to get their recipe.

[Cathy Arizona]

I have 2 recipes from 2 different Bahamian cook books. Here's one>

3 lb. broiler-fryer chicken, cut up
1 qt. water
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 sweet red or green bell pepper, chopped
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 c. lemon juice
dash of Bahamian hot pepper sauce
Salt & pepper to taste.
Place chicken in large pot and cover with water. Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; cover and reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour or until chicken is cooked. Serve with noodles, grits or Johnny Cake. Serves 6

The other recipe is nearly the same except includes a stalk of celery, cut up.
Haven't tried this but it sounds good.