Cou Cou Food

COU-COU

Steps:

• Put water to boil in a medium-size pot. Thinly slice okra and add to boiling water. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until soft. Lower the heat.
• Meanwhile, combine corn meal with cold water and mix well.
• Add corn mixture to the okra. Add salt.
• Mix well and cook on low, stirring constantly with a flat wooden spoon or "cou-cou stick".
• When mixture breaks away cleanly from the side of the saucepan, the cou-cou is ready.
• Butter a bowl, turn the mixture out neatly onto it, shaking it so that it takes on the shape of the bowl.
• Turn it out on to a serving dish, make an indentation in the top and place a knob of butter in it.
• What makes it unique and distinguishes it from its now more fashionable cousin the Italian polenta, is the addition of okra. In some islands, cou-cou is spiced up by peppers and yellow-butter.
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COU COU (CARIBBEAN POLENTA)

Steps:

• Clean and wash okra. Dice all but 6. Add 3 cups of water to a large saucepan. Add salt. Add diced and whole okra. Bring okra to boil for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Save whole okra aside for garnish.
• Measure 2 cups of liquid from the cooked okra to use for cooking your cou-cou.
• Mix cornmeal in a large bowl with enough cold water to moisten and blend it together. Stir the cornmeal slowly into the reserved liquid and okra. Use a wooden spoon to mix together.
• Return pot to stove over medium heat, and continue stirring okra and cornmeal. Cook and stir about 15-20 minutes. Insert wooden spoon into center of the cou-cou If spoon stands up in the pot and is easily removed from cornmeal, your cou-cou is done.
• Cou-cou should be firm when it's done. If the cou-cou is oose and creamy looking, you have used too much water. If too much water is used, let cou-cou stand uncovered over low heat to "dry out."
• When cou-cou is done, turn the entire mixture into a buttered serving bowl and garnish with whole okra.

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.;

FLYING FISH AND COU COU RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the Bajan chopped seasoning: Add the onion, spring onions, garlic, ginger, Scotch bonnet, thyme, allspice, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to a food processor and process for about 1 minute, until it reaches a rough paste-like consistency, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the vinegar and pulse 1 or 2 times, until incorporated. Transfer to a bowl and set aside until ready to use. Any leftover seasoning will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Season the fish: Place the sea bass fillets on a plate and pour the lime juice over them, then sprinkle with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 15 minutes while you make the fish stew.
• Make the fish stew: Heat the olive oil in a large, high-walled skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, thyme, curry powder, and garlic powder, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are just starting to soften. Stir in the tomatoes and bring to a simmer, then add the butter, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the Bajan chopped seasoning. Stir until the butter melts and everything is incorporated.
• Nestle the fish into the stew until submerged halfway. Cover the pan and cook for 12-15 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Make the cou cou: Add the okra, onion, thyme, and water to a shallow nonstick saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat and strain, reserving the liquid and the okra separately and discarding the onion and thyme.
• Place the same saucepan over medium heat and add the cornmeal. While whisking constantly, slowly pour the reserved liquid back into the pot. Whisk until smooth, then add the salt. Cook, continuing to whisk, for 6-8 minutes, until the cornmeal is thick with a consistency similar to firm mashed potatoes.
• Slice the okra pods on the bias.
• To serve, spread the cou cou onto a serving platter or individual dishes, then sprinkle the okra on top. Carefully lift the fish from the stew and place atop the cou cou and okra, then spoon the stew over the top. Garnish with parsley. Serve with a cold Guinness Extra Stout.
• Enjoy!