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Smoked herring in a bowl

Quick and Easy Smoked Herring Choka (Trinidad-Style Fish Choka)

A classic Smoked Herring Choka made with smoky herring, hot pepper, fresh onions and a sizzling oil chunkay, bringing Caribbean flavor and texture in minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Caribbean Classics, Easy Caribbean Recipes, Seafood & Fish, Seasonal Recipes, Weeknight Dinners, Winter Recipes
Cuisine: Trinidadian

Ingredients
  

  • 8-10 smoked herring fillets prepared, boned, soaked
  • 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper sliced
  • 1 scallion chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes diced
  • 1 medium onion sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

  1. Place the prepared smoked herring fillets in a large bowl and flake them with a fork.
    Smoked herring in a bowl
  2. Add the tomatoes, scallion, parsley, sliced Scotch Bonnet, black pepper, and crushed garlic, tossing gently to combine.
    smoked herring and chopped vegetables in bowl
  3. Layer the thinly sliced onion over the top; do not stir.
    sliced onions in a bowl
  4. Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat until wisps of smoke appear. 
    heated olive oil in a pan
  5. Carefully pour the hot oil over the onion slices to achieve the signature “chunkay” effect.
  6. Mix thoroughly to disperse flavors evenly. Taste and add salt only if needed (the smoked herring may already be salty).
    Smoked herring in a bowl
  7. Serve warm or at room temperature with rice and dhal, fried bake, or roasted breadfruit.
    Smoked Herring Choka in a glass bowl resting on the stove

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