Bajan Coo Coo Recipes

STEAMED FLYING FISH AND COU-COU

Steps:

• Make the Cou-Cou: Combine the water, okra, red pepper, salt, and hot sauce in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until very thick. Transfer half of the okra mixture to a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the okra mixture in the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low. While stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon, sprinkle in the cornmeal a little at a time, and cook until thick. Add the remaining okra mixture and 2 tablespoons butter and stir until smooth. Cover to keep warm.
• Make the Flying Fish: Rub the flesh side of the fish with the Bajan seasoning and lime juice, and season with the salt, to taste. Roll each fish up tightly and secure with a toothpick.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and bay leaf and cook, stirring, until soft. Add the catsup, curry, mustard, and sugar and stir. Add the water, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Arrange the rolled fish in the skillet and cover with the bell peppers, tomato, herbs, and hot sauce. Cover and simmer until the fish is just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.
• Divide the cou-cou among the plates, make a well in each, and spoon the fish and sauce over the top.

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 COCONUT BREAD

Steps:

• Using an icepick, pierce the three soft spots on the coconut. Drain the liquid and store in the refrigerator. Break the coconut into chunks and grate the flesh into a small bowl. You need at least 1 cup; more is even better.
• Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
• In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and coconut flakes.
• In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream 1/2 cup of the sugar with the butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla.
• Measure out 1/4 cup of the coconut milk and combine it with the milk. Add the liquids to the egg mixture, alternating with the dry ingredients and stirring just until all the ingredients are blended. Spread into the prepared pan.
• Sprinkle the teaspoon of sugar over the dough and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack before slicing.