Cou-Cou (Caribbean Polenta)

Clean and wash okra. Dice all but 6. Add the water to a large saucepan. Add salt. Boil. Add diced and whole okra. Boil okra for 5-8 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Save whole okra aside for garnish.

Measure 2 cups of liquid from the cooked okra to use for cooking your cou-cou.

Mix cornmeal in a large bowl with enough cold water to moisten and blend it together. Stir the cornmeal slowly into the reserved liquid and okra in the pot. Use a wooden spoon to mix together.

Return pot to stove over medium heat and continue to stir okra and cornmeal. Cook and stir about 15-20 minutes.

Insert wooden spoon into center of the cou-cou. If spoon stands up in the pot and is easily removed from cornmeal, your cou-cou is done. Cou-cou should be firm when it's done. If the cou-cou is loose and creamy looking, you have used too much water. If too much water is used, let cou-cou stand uncovered over low heat to "dry out."

When cou-cou is done, turn the entire mixture into a buttered serving bowl and garnish with whole okra.