Callaloo Food

CALLALOO

Steps:

• Remove the small branches with leaves from the main stem and submerge the callaloo into a bowl of cold water. Let soak for a minute and remove, discarding the water. Repeat 2 more times. Finely chop the leaves and branches and set aside.
• Heat the oil and butter in a medium-size skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the onion and scallions, stirring until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the callaloo, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix all of the ingredients together, add the water, and cover. Cook over medium heat until the stems are tender, about 8 minutes.

CALLALOO (REAL TRINI STYLE)...CARIBBEAN

Steps:

• Separate leaves from stems. Thoroughly wash leaves and strip the stems. Tear leaves apart with hands into smaller pieces. Chop stems into about 2 inches length.
• Add all the ingredients into a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then allow to simmer for 20 mins or until the okra seeds turn pink.
• Taste and season with salt & pepper if necessary.
• When the callaloo is done the leaves and okras should be tender and there should be enough liquid to blend the ingredients. If not add a little warm water to bring to a soup consistency.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Remove the pork tails before blending.
• Using a hand blender, blend the callaloo until all the ingredients are pureed.
• Store in a clean pot with pork tails and reheat before serving.
• Serve with rice, stewed Caribbean chicken, potato salad, boiled provisions, cole slaw, pigeon peas and macaroni pie.

CALLALOO (TRINIDAD)

Steps:

• Put salted pork pieces in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Drain off this water. Repeat this process to draw off the excess salt from the salted meat.
• Heat the oil in a large pot and add the onion, garlic, celery and fresh herbs. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add okras, pumpkin and dasheen leaves and sauté for another minute or so. Add the coconut milk and stock or water, crab and hot pepper.
• Keep an eye on that hot pepper use one that is not bruised. You DO NOT want that pepper to burst while cooking. The heat from the burst pepper will overpower the other flavours.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 35 minutes.
• Taste and add salt if needed.
• Remove hot pepper and crab or meat, and swizzle the callaloo, or put in a blender or you can use an immersion type blender, and beat until smooth. Return the crab or meat pieces to the soup. Add the cooking margarine or butter. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Stir well.
• Serve hot as a soup on it's own or as a side dish.

CALLALOO

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup of water into a large saucepot. Add the salt pork and crabmeat, if using, and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a small frying pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add chives, onion, and garlic and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic mixture to the pot with the pork. Add the okra, dasheen or spinach, coconut milk, and pumpkin and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, and season with salt, to taste. Serve hot with rice or cornbread.

CALLALOO

Steps:

• In a covered soup pot, saute the onions and garlic in the oil on low heat for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the ginger, turmeric, coriander, thyme, and allspice and saute for another minute, stirring to prevent sticking.
• Stir in the water or stock, add the sweet potatoes, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in the callaloo or kale. (If you are using spinach, do not add it yet.) Add the okra and simmer for another 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, lime juice, salt and spinach, if you are using it, and cook for another 3 or 4 minutes, until all of the vegetables are tender. Add more salt or lime juice to taste and stir in the coconut milk, if you like.