Fish and brewis facts for kids
Fish and brewis with scrunchions
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| Place of origin | Newfoundland |
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| Main ingredients | Cod, hard tack |
Fish and brewis (say "brews") is a classic meal from Newfoundland, Canada. It's made with two main ingredients: cod fish and a special kind of crunchy bread called hard tack. Because there was so much cod fish near the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, this meal became a favorite in many homes. People often enjoyed it as a main dish.
The way you make fish and brewis can be a little different from one family to another. However, the main ingredients are always the same. Usually, you start with salt fish. This fish is soaked in water overnight to make it less salty. The hard bread is also soaked in water overnight to soften it. The next day, both the fish and the bread are boiled separately until they are soft. Then, they are served together.
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Different Ways to Enjoy Fish and Brewis
The most common way to eat this meal is with something called scrunchions. These are small pieces of salted pork fat that have been fried until crispy. Both the crispy bits and the melted fat are then poured over the fish and brewis. It adds a lot of flavor!
Fisherman's Brewis
Fisherman's brewis is very similar to regular fish and brewis. The main difference is that the fish and bread are chopped up while they are still hot. Then, they are mixed together with the scrunchions. Sometimes, fresh cod is used instead of salt cod for this version.
With Drawn Butter
Instead of scrunchions, some people use drawn butter. This is a mix of melted butter and chopped onions. A little flour is added to make it thicker, like a sauce. This warm, buttery sauce is then poured over the fish and hard bread.
Nova Scotia Style
In some homes in Nova Scotia, a similar dish is called "salt cod and pork scraps." This version might be served with plain boiled potatoes and carrots or turnip. The potatoes often take the place of the hard bread. Fresh chopped onion mixed with vinegar is also served on the side.
The Story Behind Fish and Brewis
This meal was first created by sailors who spent a lot of time at sea. Their trips could last for weeks or even months. It was hard to keep fresh food from spoiling on long journeys. So, they needed foods that would last a long time. Fish and brewis became a popular meal for these sailors.
The word "brewis" might sound like "bruise," but it doesn't come from sailors bruising their hardtack. The word "brewis" actually comes from an old English word. It originally meant bread that was soaked in fat or drippings. A similar dish can also be found in Wales.
