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Antiguan chop up
Chop up: mashed aubergine, okra and spinach to serve with fungee
Antigua's national plate pairs fungee, a cornmeal and okra loaf, with pepperpot, and on the side there is often chop up: aubergine, okra and spinach cooked down with onion, garlic and thyme, then mashed to a soft, green-flecked purée. It is gentle, savoury and silky, and some cooks add butter or salted meat; this version is vegan and uses coconut oil. The mistake to avoid is stirring the okra too much early on, which makes it slimy; let it soften undisturbed, then mash. Chef's tip: a squeeze of lime at the end lifts the flavour and calms any okra stickiness.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 aubergineabout 600 g, peeled and cubed
- 9 oz okratrimmed and sliced
- 7 oz spinachchopped
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onionchopped
- 3 cloves garlicchopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ scotch bonnetfinely chopped, to taste
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a pot over a medium heat and fry 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 3 sprigs fresh thyme and ½ scotch bonnet for 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3 minStep 3: Add 7 oz spinach, cover and cook for 5 minutes more until wilted.
5 minStep 4: Remove the thyme stalks and mash everything together with a potato masher or a wooden spoon into a coarse, thick purée. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring, if it's watery.
5 minStep 5: Season with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper and 1 tbsp lime juice and serve hot with fungee, rice or ducana.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does antiguan chop up take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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