Delicious Belizean Cow Foot Soup: A Step-By-Step Guide

Cow foot soup is a beloved dish in Belize and the Caribbean, and while it may not be for the faint of heart, it is definitely worth trying. In this guide, you will learn about the history, benefits, and a step-by-step process to make your own Belizean cow foot soup.

Sourcing cow's feet

Belizean cow foot soup is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a much-loved dish in the Caribbean. The feet are mostly skin, tendons, and cartilage, but they are packed with flavour and nutrients, including bone marrow, which is said to have healing properties.

Most grocers don't stock cow's feet, so you'll need to plan ahead. Latin and Asian markets are your best bet for finding them, or you can ask a local butcher to order some for you. You can also try TurkishGrocery.com, which offers cow feet for $6.49 per pound, or Instacart, which offers beef cow feet cut-up and delivered to your door.

Cow's feet are an affordable, tasty, and nutritious option for soup, but they do require some forward planning to source. With a bit of effort, you'll be well on your way to creating an authentic Belizean dish.

Preparing the broth

Belizean cow foot soup is a hearty dish, perfect for cold winter months. While it may not be for the faint of heart, it is a delicious soup that is worth trying.

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need cow feet, which can be purchased from smaller butchers or Latin and Asian markets. Rinse the cow feet under cold water, ensuring that you clean and shave the feet to remove any dirt or impurities.

Next, place the cleaned cow feet in a large stockpot and cover them with cold water. Bring this to a boil and let it cook for about 10 minutes. During this process, use a spoon to skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface. After 10 minutes, discard the water and rinse the cow feet once more. This step is crucial to ensuring a clear and pure broth. Refill the pot with fresh cold water, ready for the next stage.

Now, it's time to add the vegetables and aromatics to the pot. Chop up onions, celery, carrots, and any other vegetables of your choice, such as cabbage, potatoes, or tomatoes. You can also add spices and seasonings like garlic, thyme, bay leaves, or peppercorns to enhance the flavour. Place all these ingredients into the pot with the cow feet and bring it to a simmer.

Let the broth simmer gently for a minimum of 2 hours. During this time, the flavours will meld together, creating a rich and tasty soup base. Keep an eye on the water level, adding more if it gets too low, and give it a stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

After 2 hours, your broth should be ready. At this point, you can taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, it is better to add seasonings gradually and taste as you go, rather than adding too much at once.

Now that your broth is prepared, you can continue with the next steps of the recipe, such as adding dumplings or other ingredients, to create a delicious and comforting bowl of Belizean Cow Foot Soup.

Cooking the vegetables

Chop up all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. This includes potatoes, coco (or yams), okro, carrots, onion, sweet peppers, cabbage, and tomatoes. Finely chop the cilantro.

In a large stockpot or heavy-bottomed pot, heat up some vegetable oil. Add the onions and some thyme and sauté until the onions are translucent. You can also add garlic at this stage.

Next, add the rest of your vegetables and cilantro to the pot and continue to sauté for another minute or two. You can also add spices such as paprika, cayenne pepper, and bouillon at this stage, stirring for another minute.

Now, add the cow's foot to the pot, stirring for about two minutes, and add a little water if needed. Then, add 8-10 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender.

About 20 minutes before the soup is ready, add the yam, carrot, and green onion. Cook until the yam is tender, then adjust the seasonings and thickness of the soup.

Making dumplings

Belizean cow foot soup is a Caribbean classic, and the secret to this hearty soup is in the pillowy flour dumplings that top it. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the dumplings:

Making the Dumplings

To make the dumplings, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour (all-purpose)
• A pinch of salt
• Water

You will also need a small bowl, some plastic wrap, and a pot of soup that is almost ready to serve.

First, prepare the dumpling dough by mixing the flour, a pinch of salt, and enough water to form a soft but firm dough. You can adjust the consistency by adding more flour or water as needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes.

Next, take small pieces of the dough and roll them between your hands to form small, cigar-shaped dumplings. You can make them as small or large as you like, but keep in mind that they will expand slightly as they cook.

Once you have formed all the dumplings, bring your soup back to a gentle boil. Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling soup, and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Do not put a lid on the pot.

After 10 minutes, your dumplings should be cooked through. To check, pierce a dumpling with a fork or toothpick; if it comes out clean, the dumplings are ready.

Serve the soup and dumplings hot, and enjoy the rich, hearty flavours of this Caribbean delicacy.

You can also make a parsley dumpling variation by adding a tablespoon of parsley flakes to the dry ingredients. For a finer consistency, sift the flour mixture before adding the liquid.

Serving suggestions

Belizean cow foot soup is a hearty, comforting dish, perfect for cold winter months. It is traditionally served with rice and a slice of lime, but you can also serve it with tortillas and a bottle of Marie Sharp's hot sauce.

If you want to add a little extra spice to your soup, you can add habanero pepper sauce. For a more filling meal, you can serve the soup with flour dumplings, which are a common addition to cow foot soup in the Caribbean.

If you're looking for a complete meal, you can add yams, Caribbean yellow yams, or Ghana yams to the soup. Alternatively, you can substitute these with plantains, cassava, or potatoes.

For a true taste of Belize, try serving your soup with a side of boil up—a hodgepodge of whatever veggies, dumplings, eggs, and seafood are available, tossed into a pot and married together.

And if you're feeling really adventurous, why not try making a Belizean chicken foot ceviche as a starter? It's a local delicacy!

Frequently asked questions