In brief
- Cod blaff: cod poached in a Caribbean court-bouillon with lime, garlic and herbs
- Origin: Martinique and Guadeloupe, in the French Caribbean
- Essential ingredients: cod, lime, garlic, spring onions, Caribbean chilli, thyme
- A light, family dish, served with white rice or root vegetables
Origins and cultural history of cod blaff
Blaff belongs to the Creole cuisine of the French Caribbean and French Guiana. In Creole, “blaff” means a broth: the idea is to marinate a fish briefly in lime, garlic and chilli, then poach it in a court-bouillon flavoured with fresh herbs, without tomato or coconut milk, unlike Martinique-style court-bouillon.
The fish traditionally used is a firm-fleshed white fish caught locally, red snapper above all. In mainland France, where this tropical fish is harder to find fresh, cod, like hake or sea bream, commonly replaces it in blaff recipes, without changing the preparation technique.
What are the essential ingredients of cod blaff
Blaff relies on a small number of ingredients, all easy to find in a Caribbean grocery store.
- cod, or another firm-fleshed white fish
- lime
- garlic
- onions and spring onions (oignons-pays)
- Caribbean chilli
- thyme and bois d'Inde
- clove
What to know about cod blaff
Cod blaff is fish poached in an Antillean court-bouillon flavoured with lime, garlic, spring onions and thyme, with no tomato and no coconut milk. The cod is first left to marinate for a few moments with the lime, garlic and chilli, then poached in the broth. It is served with white rice or root vegetables as a family dish from Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Frequently asked questions about cod blaff
What is a blaff, and how does it differ from Caribbean court-bouillon?
Blaff is a fish marinated in lime and then poached in a clear broth with fresh herbs and chilli, without tomato. Martinique-style court-bouillon, on the other hand, simmers in a tomato base, which gives it a different colour and taste.
Can blaff be made with a fish other than cod?
Yes. Any firm-fleshed white fish works: red snapper, traditionally used in the Caribbean, but also hake or sea bream, depending on what is available fresh.
Where to find the ingredients for cod blaff in France?
NKOSI sells the lime juice, garlic paste, hot chilli, thyme, bay leaf and clove for this recipe on nkosiagro.com and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
