14/08/2026
Food By Chamion Trinidad Coo Coo & Callaloo
These are two individual recipes prepared separately and served together as one traditional Trinidad dish.
Food By Chamion Trinidad Coo Coo
Ingredients
* 10–12 large, fresh, tender okra
* 3–4 cups fine yellow cornmeal
* 4 cups coconut milk
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
* 2 teaspoons sea salt
* Nonstick cooking spray
* A little cooking oil, for smoothing
Seasoning and Herb Blend
* 4 medium red pimento peppers
* 1 large onion
* 1 bundle fresh parsley
* 1 garlic clove
Method
1. Wash the okra thoroughly, pat dry and cut into small pieces.
2. Place the pimento peppers, onion, parsley and garlic into a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Do not add water.
3. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
4. Add the seasoning and herb blend and sauté for approximately 40 seconds.
5. Add the chopped okra, coconut milk, sugar and sea salt. Stir well and bring to a boil.
6. Allow the mixture to boil for approximately 10 minutes, or until the okra begins to soften.
7. Gradually add the cornmeal while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
8. Continue cooking and stirring until the coo coo becomes firm and holds its shape but is not hard. Add only as much cornmeal as needed to achieve the correct consistency.
9. Remove from the heat. Lightly coat a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and transfer the coo coo to the dish.
10. Lightly oil a spatula and use it to smooth the top evenly.
11. Allow the coo coo to cool and set before cutting it into the desired shapes.
FBC Kitchen Tip
Add the cornmeal gradually. Depending on the brand and texture of the cornmeal, you may not need the entire 4 cups. Properly prepared coo coo should be firm enough to hold its shape without becoming dry or hard.
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Food By Chamion Trinidad Callaloo
Ingredients
* 1 bundle dasheen bush
* 1 cup peeled and chopped pumpkin
* 10–12 fresh okra, washed, patted dry and chopped
* 4 cups coconut milk
* 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 4 teaspoons sea salt
* 1 whole red Scotch bonnet pepper
Seasoning and Herb Blend
* 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
* 1 bundle fresh chives
* 1 bundle fresh chadon beni
* 1 bundle fresh celery
* 1 bundle fresh thyme
* 1 large onion
* 6 large pimento peppers
* 6 garlic cloves
Method
1. Wash the dasheen bush thoroughly and chop it finely.
2. Place the ginger, chives, chadon beni, celery, thyme, onion, pimento peppers and garlic into a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Do not add water.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
4. Add half of the seasoning and herb blend and sauté for approximately 1 minute.
5. Add the chopped okra and pumpkin. Stir and cook for approximately 40 seconds.
6. Add the chopped dasheen bush, whole Scotch bonnet pepper, coconut milk and sea salt. Stir carefully.
7. Cook until the dasheen bush, pumpkin and okra are completely tender and the rawness of the dasheen bush is fully cooked away.
8. Add the reserved half of the seasoning and herb blend and stir well.
9. Continue cooking uncovered until the callaloo reduces to the desired consistency.
10. Carefully remove the whole Scotch bonnet pepper before blending.
11. Transfer the callaloo to a blender and pulse briefly. Do not over-blend—the finished callaloo should be smooth yet slightly chunky, with a naturally creamy texture from the coconut milk.
FBC Kitchen Tip
Keep the Scotch bonnet pepper whole while the callaloo cooks for flavor without excessive heat. Avoid bursting the pepper, and always remove it before blending.
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To Serve
Serve the Food By Chamion Trinidad coo coo alongside the callaloo. Callaloo may also be enjoyed traditionally with rice, dumplings, ground provisions, mayonnaise-based salads or savory pies such as macaroni pie, potato pie or corn pie.