Non Vegetarian
Cookup

Cookup is another rice dish that I remember my mother cooking when I was a young child and it is quite easy to prepare.

Method
Normally when I purchase the pigtail, it is already cut into nice small pieces. It is normally salted as a preservative method so be careful that your meal is not too salty. Put the pigtail in a pressure pot with about 4 cups of water and allow the meat to tenderize, after about 25 minutes, it should be good. Though out the water and put the pigtail aside.

Add the split peas and the garlic in a pot of water. Allow the peas to cook. You can tell when they are cooked by taking one of the peas and holding it between the thumb and index finger. Slightly squeeze the pea, if it is soft to the pressure, then it is cooked and ready.

Now add the sliced ocho (you can use either the fresh ochro or the frozen cut up ochro). Allow the ochro to cook, I know then it is cooked when the seeds turn pink. Now add the rice and pigtail, you may need to add some more water to allow the rice to cook. Add some pepper sauce and taste to ensure that the rice has enough salt.

Step By Step Pictures

I no longer eat pig tail so I would prepare Cookup without pigtail. The day that I cooked this rice, my mother-in-law had recently sent us some fresh water lobster, so I decided to cook this lobster and serve it which this rice.

Here is how I did it. In a frying pan, put a tablespoon of olive oil. Allow the oil to hot. Add two garlic clove, this flavors the oil. While the garlic is flavoring the oil, put a tablespoon of curry powder and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper sauce in a bowl and mix together. Add the curry powder mixture to the frying pan. Allow the curry to cook for 3 minutes.

Add the lobster. Now when my mother-in-law sent them to us(from St.Vincent), they were already cooked (a pre requisite when exporting food to the BVI). Add about half cup of Coconut Milk. Allow the ingredients to simmer for about 15 minutes. Turn off the stove. Serve. Yum!!!!

Step By Step Pictures