Citrus Jerk Bass with Fonio

PreparationBass: Combine all the ingredients except the fish and fonio in a blender and puree until smooth and completely combined. Take the fish and lightly score the skin diagonally in four places with a sharp knife, making sure not to cut too deeply. Place the fish in a nonreactive container with a lid and cover with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours. Preheat the oven to 350°F and put a cast-iron grill pan in the oven to heat until it’s very hot (test by sprinkling a drop of water on the pan to see if it sizzles). Remove the fish from the marinade and pat dry. Place in the hot pan skin side down and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook for 5 more minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the pan and serve over fonio. Fonio: In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Sweat the ginger, garlic, and shallots and cook for 3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Add the okra and tomatoes. When the tomatoes burst, add the fonio and stir with the vegetables to coat. Add 1 1/2 cups of water, bring to a simmer, cover tightly with the lid, and turn the heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it steam for 5 minutes. Stir in the torn Thai basil. From Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day © 2018 by JJ Johnson and Alexander Smalls. Reprinted with permission from Flatiron Books. Buy the full book from Amazon.

PreparationBass: Combine all the ingredients except the fish and fonio in a blender and puree until smooth and completely combined. Take the fish and lightly score the skin diagonally in four places with a sharp knife, making sure not to cut too deeply. Place the fish in a nonreactive container with a lid and cover with the jerk marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours. Preheat the oven to 350°F and put a cast-iron grill pan in the oven to heat until it’s very hot (test by sprinkling a drop of water on the pan to see if it sizzles). Remove the fish from the marinade and pat dry. Place in the hot pan skin side down and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook for 5 more minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the pan and serve over fonio. Fonio: In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Sweat the ginger, garlic, and shallots and cook for 3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent. Add the okra and tomatoes. When the tomatoes burst, add the fonio and stir with the vegetables to coat. Add 1 1/2 cups of water, bring to a simmer, cover tightly with the lid, and turn the heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it steam for 5 minutes. Stir in the torn Thai basil. From Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day © 2018 by JJ Johnson and Alexander Smalls. Reprinted with permission from Flatiron Books. Buy the full book from Amazon.