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The delicacies of Barbados is a energetic melting pot of standout flavors, mixing influences from England, India, and Africa into one tasty island combine.
Bajan cooks know the right way to work with the island’s contemporary native produce, creating a few of the world’s tastiest dishes. Typical Bajan dishes that you just would possibly encounter on the island embody macaroni pie, fish truffles, rice and peas, conkies, coconut turnovers—and naturally, the nationwide treasure: flying fish and coucou.
Barbados has loads of scrumptious bites, however in the present day we’re diving deep into only one. If there’s a single Bajan dish you’ve acquired to strive, it’s flying fish and coucou. Belief us—this one’s well worth the highlight.
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Cou Cou & Flying Fish – Barbados’ Nationwide Dish
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The nationwide dish of Barbados is a wonderful meal and one which the native individuals are fairly pleased with. The star of the present is a fillet of steamed or fried flying fish, accompanied by a aspect of coucou, which is harking back to polenta or grits, for many who usually are not aware of the delicacies. Lime juice, spices and contemporary veggies take the flavors up a notch, creating an exquisite, genuine Bajan meal.
In the event you occur to be visiting Barbados quickly, you higher convey you urge for food. We’ll let you know extra in regards to the dish in a couple of moments, however first, here is some background.
What’s Flying Fish?
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Flying fish is a sort of fish native to the island of Barbados. These silvery swimmers had been as soon as so plentiful that Barbados earned the nickname “the land of flying fish.” So, it’s no shock that this iconic catch is the star of the Bajan nationwide dish.
Flying fish means extra than simply taste—it’s an emblem of pleasure for the individuals of Barbados. You’ll spot it on the nationwide forex and even see it hovering within the emblem of the Barbados Tourism Authority.
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Craving a style? Flying fish nonetheless shines on menus all throughout the island. It’s scrumptious when merely steamed with a splash of lime, and simply as tasty when fried to a golden crisp. For the actual deal, head to a energetic Bajan barbeque and take a look at the normal flying fish recipe served up by locals.
What’s Cou-cou?
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Coucou is a dish you’ll discover quite a bit in Barbados, but it surely’s not quite common in the remainder of the world. In the event you’ve by no means tried it earlier than, think about one thing much like polenta or grits in texture.
It’s created from a mix of cornmeal and okra. The 2 substances muddle collectively to kind a type of savory porridge. Coucou in Barbados is a warming and comforting dish that pairs properly with a few of the spicier Bajan culinary picks – like flying fish! It’s additionally fantastic with spicy sauces, that are widespread with Bajan delicacies.
Usually, coucou is served within the conventional means, which is by forming it into an oval form, utilizing an enamel bowl. Or, if you wish to be actually genuine, you’d use a calabash shell, from the fruit of a tree discovered rising within the wild within the tropics and America. Coucou will also be created from different substances, like breadfruit, yams or inexperienced bananas.
Our Go-To Flying Fish and Coucou Recipe
Historically, Bajan individuals prepare dinner up this recipe on Fridays or Saturdays, however after all for those who study to make your personal you may serve it up everytime you want! Impress your family and friends with this scrumptious style of the tropics.
How you can make flying fish and coucou
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Substances:
For the fish:
4 fillets of flying fish (if this isn’t obtainable the place you reside, you may substitute sea bass)
Juice of a lime
Pinch of garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
For the seasoning:
1 onion
3 spring onions
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp contemporary ginger
1 scotch bonnet chilli
1 tbsp of thyme leaves
1/2 tsp combined spice
1 lime
100ml vinegar
salt
freshly floor black pepper
For the sauce:
1/2 onion
1 tsp garlic
1 pepper
1 tomato
5g of thyme
10g of curry powder
5g of garlic powder
6 tbsp of olive oil
100g of butter
salt
pepper
For the coucou:
140g cornmeal
620ml water
4 okra
1 onion
Recent thyme
Methodology:
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Step 1: First make the seasoning. Mix all of the substances for the seasoning, aside from the vinegar, in a meals processor and pulse till properly mixed. Put the paste right into a sealable jar and add the vinegar. Shake properly and season based on your preferences. You’ll wish to depart this for round two hours earlier than you utilize it, so set this apart to infuse.
Step 2: Season the fish with lime, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Put the sauce substances right into a sauce pan and convey to a simmer, with a bit of oil. Add one tablespoon of the seasoning you ready earlier.
Step 4: In a separate pan, mix the substances for the coucou, aside from the cornmeal, and convey to the boil. You’ll need this on a excessive warmth. As soon as cooked, pressure the combination and discard the onion and thyme. Hold the items of okra to make use of later.
Step 5: Put the coucou pan again on the warmth and add cornmeal, mixing properly till you kind a thick combination. Add within the okra.
Step 6: The dish is able to serve! Place the coucou on a plate and high every dish with a fillet of fish and a wholesome serving to of sauce and revel in your style of Barbados!
The Greatest Bajan Flying Fish and Coucou Recipe Round!
And with that, we hope you loved diving into the flavors of Barbados with the island’s beloved nationwide dish—flying fish and coucou. Can’t discover flying fish close to you? No worries. You’ll be able to nonetheless convey a style of the Caribbean residence by swapping in an analogous fish. Sea bass is a superb stand-in and works superbly on this recipe.
In the event you’re fascinated by extra Caribbean impressed cooking, try our information to easy Caribbean recipes you may make at residence.
Image: Expertise the very best of the Caribbean—from golden seashores to daring island flavors—at Sandals Resorts in Barbados. You and that particular somebody can get pleasure from entry to as much as 21 distinctive eating places, all included in your keep!
