Bajan Coo Coo Food

BAJAN COU-COU

Steps:

• Soak cornmeal in water. Grate okra and cook in boiling water. When water is of a slimy consistency strain off okra and reserve. Place saucepan on medium heat, add cornmeal and stir continuously until hot. When cornmeal begins to tighten, add okra water still stirring until cornmeal is cooked. Stir in okra and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.;

BAJAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the chicken pieces and put them into a shallow glass dish.
• Put the allspice, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick into a spice grinder and grind to a powder. To a full sized blender add the onion, peppers, scallions, garlic, scotch bonnet, thyme, lime juice, olive oil, butter, and ground spices. Blend to a puree; add some water if it is too thick. Pour this over the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1/2 hour before you cook it.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large, oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and season it with salt. Brown the chicken on both sides, then place the pan in the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Serve garnished with cilantro leaves.

BAJAN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add chicken, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until chicken is tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Prepare Seasoning Mix.
• Drain chicken and pat it dry.
• Cool completely, then cut into 8 serving pieces.
• Cut a long, deep pocket in meaty part of each piece, filling each pocket with about 2 tablespoons of Seasoning Mix.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large skillet to 375F (190C) or until a 1-inch bread cube turns golden brown in 50 seconds.
• On a large plate, combine flour, salt and pepper; coat chicken pieces, shaking off any excess flour.
• Dip pieces into beaten eggs, then roll them in bread crumbs to coat thoroughly.
• Fry in batches (without crowding) until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Seasoning Mix:.
• Peel and coarsely chop onions.
• Place them with remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor fitted with the steel blade.
• Process 1 to 2 minutes, until fairly smooth. (This mixture can be spooned into a jar and refrigerated several weeks for use as needed.).