Bajan Cou Cou and Flying Fish

Ingredients:

For CouCou:

4 okras, thinly sliced

1 pt. boiling water

1/2 pt. corn meal

1/2 pt. cold water

1 tsp salt

1 stick of butter

For Flying Fish:

2 fresh limes juiced

1 tbsp salt

1 cup water

6 flying fish, filleted

1 bunch thyme and marjoram(like oregano), chopped very fine

1 bunch fresh green celery, chopped very fine

1 onion, chopped very fine

1 tsp salt

1 tsp white pepper

1 egg, beaten

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/2 cup fry oil

Cooking Instructions:

Preparation of cou cou: Cook the okras in the boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. While they are cooking, mix the corn meal and cold water to a smooth paste. When the okras are soft, lower the heat, add salt and wet corn meal, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until mixture becomes fairly stiff. When the mixture breaks away cleanly from the pan (i.e it does not stick), the cou cou is ready. Butter a bowl, turn the mixture into the bowl, shaking it into the shape of the bowl, then turn it out into a serving dish. With the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the top and place a stick of butter in it.

Flying Fish Preparation: Mix lime juice, salt and water, and put the fish to soak in this mixture for 15 minutes. Remove and dry. Mix together the seasonings and onion and then place in the spaces from which the fish bones have been removed, Press in very firmly. Dip each fish into the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil placing each fish face down first. Cook for a few minutes on each side until lightly brown. Do not overcook. The fish should be moist and flaky. Plate and serve with tossed salad and glass of lemonade.

#barbados #fish