A Deliciously Tasty Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup Recipe
If you enjoy experimenting with different recipes, then you aren’t alone. Many people, whether they’re master chefs or amateur cooks, enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. These food enthusiasts may sometimes try a dish someplace and then wish to recreate it at home so they can enjoy it anytime they desire.
One popular dish that many people try to recreate at home is Bahamian chicken souse soup. Here is an overview of what Bahamaian chicken souse soup is and how you can make this delectable recipe at home.
What is Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup?
Bahamian chicken souse soup is a soup with clear broth, chunks of chicken, vegetables, and a citrus-like base. In the Bahamas, this “souse” was known as being a great “weekend soup,” as it has many properties that off-set the effects of hangovers.
People in the Bahamas often partied over the weekend, which is when they were most likely to become intoxicated and then suffer uncomfortable effects the next day. Two of its main ingredients are lime and red hot chili peppers, two ingredients that ancient grandmothers stated worked wonders for curing the body of the various symptoms of hangovers.
Where Can I Get Authentic Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup at a Restaurant?
You won’t find this soup at many restaurants in the United States, unless you go to an authentic Bahamian restaurant. However, if you actually visit the Bahamas, then you will likely find many restaurants that offer authentic Bahamian chicken souse soup.
Despite the fact that this soup is touted as being a remedy for hangovers, many people enjoy eating it because it helps to boost the immune system and can help people fight off colds and flu to feel better. Even individuals who aren’t sick enjoy eating this hearty soup.
What Can Be Served with Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup?
The sky is the limit when it comes to what you should serve with your Bahamian chicken souse soup. If you’re eating this soup to combat illness, then you may want to consume the soup alone.
However, if you’re eating the soup because you enjoy the taste, then one popular food to serve with it is cornbread. This can be sweet or non-sweet cornbread, which can be crumbled into your soup to absorb the delicious flavors.
Another great food to pair with your chicken souse soup are biscuits. Not everyone is a fan of cornbread, and if you aren’t a fan but you still want another bread-like side to eat with your soup, then biscuits are perfect. You could also eat crackers or even a sandwich with your soup. It all depends on how hungry you are and what you’r in the mood for.
Some good sandwich choices are tuna salad, turkey, ham, or chicken. However, there are numerous other choices to choose from as well, so don’t consider this to be an exhaustive list.
Can the Ingredients in Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup Recipe Be Substituted?
If you really want to substitute some of the ingredients in the Bahamian souse soup recipe, it’s possible, but it will likely not be the same, depending on the substitutions you make. The chicken is the main ingredient, but if you want to make it with turkey wings instead, then it’s permissible.
However, you will have to change the name of the soup to Bahamian turkey souse soup, which might have a different taste. Despite the fact that turkey is poultry as well, chicken and turkey taste different.
If you want to substitute the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, then by all means, go for it. However, you should expect the soup to taste slightly sweet, since sweet potatoes will not only provide the soup with an orange color, but also with a sweet flavor.
If, for some reason, you can’t tolerate onion, you could make some substitutions and use vegetables such as garlic or leeks. the green peppers could be substituted with other types of peppers, if you desire. Also, many people love adding red hot chili peppers to this soup ( many believe that this will help them “sweat” out whatever ails them. So, if you like spicy foods, then don’t be afraid to add hot peppers, as it will certainly enhance the flavor.
What Does Souse Mean?
Not everyone is familiar with the word “souse.” This word means “light meal” or a “light sauce”. Once you start gathering the ingredients and preparing this soup, you will realize why “souse” is in the name. “Souse” also means liquid, and since soup consists of a great deal of liquid, this name is very fitting.
How to Make Bahamian Chicken Souse Soup
Ingredients
- 24 chicken wings, separated into two parts
- 3 tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- ½ green pepper, diced
- 6 large peeled and diced potatoes
- 3 carrots, diced
- ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon of ground allspice
- 2 bay leaves
- ¾ cup of lime juice
- 3 cups of water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- Place the chicken wings in three tablespoons of lime juice and the seasoned salt. Incorporate the lime and seasoned salt into the wings thoroughly. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for about an hour.
- Over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil in a large pot. Once it’s sufficiently hot, add the onion and green pepper. Cook for about ten minutes, until the onion has begun to brown and become soft. Stir constantly. cook and stir until the onion has softened and begun to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Next, add the potatoes, carrots, red pepper flakes, allspice, bay leaves, marinated chicken, lime juice, and water. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover the soup with a lid and continue simmering until the chicken is no longer pink in the center where the bone is, and the vegetables are tender. This should take about 40-45 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
As you can see, this Bahamian chicken souse soup recipe is pretty quick and easy to make, and once you taste it will likely be very satisfying. Again, this soup is often consumed by people who are trying to ward off illness and hangovers, but the soup is so delicious that many people like eating it simply because of its taste.
Don’t forget your cornbread, if you like this food, as it will really enhance the flavor of your soup. Of course, whatever you decide to eat with it will help to enhance the flavor.
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