9. Bahamas (within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic)

"The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands and over 2,000 rocks and cays, sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean.” -The Islands of the Bahamas Website (Bahamas.com)
Capital is Nassau.

The dishes we made:
Bahamian-Style Grilled Fish with Peas & Rice and Fried Plantains (Tostones) with Dipping Sauce.

 

Bahamian-Style Grilled Fish with Peas & Rice
Typical method of preparing Bahamian fish is to rub the fish with hot peppers before grilling. Here we are marinating the fish prior to grilling and we chose Tuna.
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 large Garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh Lime Juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh Ginger
1 Scotch bonnet Chile, seeded and thinly sliced
Four 6- to 8-ounce Fish fillets, such as Tuna, Pompano, Striped Bass, Sea Bass, Mahimahi or Bluefish
Salt and freshly ground Pepper
Lime wedges and hot sauce, for serving

In a large shallow glass or ceramic dish, combine the olive oil with the garlic, lime juice, ginger and chile.
Add the fish fillets and turn to coat them well.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Light a grill.
Remove the fillets from the marinade and scrape off most of the garlic and ginger pieces.
Season the fish with salt and pepper and grill over a medium-hot fire for about 3 minutes per side or until nicely browned and barely cooked in the center.
Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce and Peas & rice mixed together.

 

Fried Green Plantains                                     VERY, VERY Good!
Green Plantains
Oil
Salt

Peel plantains, cut into ~1 inch chunks, sauté for ~1-2 minutes and remove.
Drain on paper towel (to cool a few minutes).
Smash the chunks with a plate and wax paper and fry in oil again. Salt immediately.

 

Sauce for Fried Plantains
2:1 of Salsa:Mayo
Garlic Powder
Dried Basil
Cayenne
S & P

Blend/puree salsa (tomatoes, tomatillo, onion, banana pepper, jalapeno) in blender until smooth, then stir into mayo with rest of ingredients.