Stuffed Creole Flying Fish With Cou Cou Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the whole ears of corn into the oven (do not shuck the corn) and cook until the outside is charred and the inside feels soft when pressed, about 30 minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, pull out the silk and remove the husk. Cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
• If using frozen okra, put it into a strainer and run it under cool water for a few minutes to thaw. Remove the stems from the okra and cut them into thirds. Heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until it begins to soften, then add the corn, okra, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute and set aside.
• Butter a 13-inch by 9-inch pan with 1 tablespoon butter. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually sprinkle in the corn meal, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. When it is all incorporated, stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and the sauteed vegetables. Reduce the heat to low, season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste, and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into the buttered dish and let cool.
• Slice the cooled cornmeal into squares and serve. You can also fry the cornmeal squares for a few minutes in butter or olive oil to make them crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

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.

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.;

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!