Cou Cou (Caribbean Polenta)

Jun 06, 2023June 6, 20230 16

Cou Cou (Caribbean Polenta) recipe for a wholesome meal

by The Chefin Main

Prep

30 min

Cook

30 min

Ready In

60 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

197

Sugar

0.8g

Fat

7.7g

Cou Cou (Caribbean Polenta) is a traditional Caribbean dish that originated from West African countries. It is often served with fish and gravy or soup, as a main course meal. Similar to traditional Polenta, Cou Cou has a unique, grainy texture with a mildly sweet flavor. It is made with cornmeal and okra, which gives it its distinct flavor, texture, and color. The preparation of Cou Cou can vary from country to country, but the basic ingredients and the recipe remain the same. It is a perfect meal option for vegans and gluten-intolerant people because it’s free from animal products and gluten. The dish is a perfect combination of health and flavors, and it’s worth trying out.

Instructions

1.	Wash the okra and trim the stem ends off.
2.	Cut okra into small pieces and add them to a pot with water.
3.	Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the okra is very soft.
4.	Strain the okra mixture through a sieve over a bowl and use the back of a spoon to extract the okra puree.
5.	Set the puree aside.
6.	Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium-size pot, add salt and pepper.
7.	Add the cornmeal slowly to the boiling water and mix quickly to combine.
8.	Add the okra puree gradually, whisk the mixture until well combined.
9.	Reduce heat, add the butter and stir to combine.
10.	Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

PROS

Cou Cou is a classic Caribbean dish that has a unique texture with a traditional taste.

It’s vegan, gluten-free and has low-fat content making it easier for digestion.

Its rich in nutrients like iron, vitamin C, and fiber.

CONS

Gluten-free cornmeal can sometimes be more expensive and the traditional method of preparing it can take a bit of time.

Some people may find the slimy texture from the okra less desirable.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Cou Cou is rich in antioxidants present in okra that help protect and repair damaged cells in our bodies.
It is also rich in iron which is essential for making hemoglobin in our body which carries oxygen from our lungs to different parts of the body.

	2 cups yellow cornmeal
	1 cup fresh okra ( or 1 package frozen cut okra )
	1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
	1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
	1 teaspoon salt
	3 cups water