This is the national dish of Barbados.
Ingredients
Cou-Cou:
- 2 cups water
- 10 small okra, finely sliced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 pound fine cornmeal
Flying Fish:
- 8 Flying Fish (about 1 1/2 pounds), scaled, boned, and butterflied
- 3 tablespoons Bajan seasoning (also called green seasoning)
- Lime juice, as needed
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons catsup
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup water or fish stock
- 1/4 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons mixed chopped herbs, like dill, chives, parsley, and thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
Directions
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.
















Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 8 reviews
By p_a_andrews_118...
Naperville, IL
on February 18, 2013
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Horrible! I have a bajan that makes this dish and hers is far different. The cou cou is a train wreck. The fish dish has too much veggies and not enough broth.
By clt96881
Houston, TX
on October 16, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This is a fantastic dish. Thanks for posting.
By bajanlovecook
Bridgetown, Bar...
on November 27, 2010
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
it is lovely is my national dish an i would encourage any one to try it. It is quite similar to that of the palenta
Read all 8 reviews