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–+ servings
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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Caribbean Classics, Easy Caribbean Recipes, Seafood & Fish, Seasonal Recipes, Weeknight Dinners, Winter Recipes
Cuisine Trinidadian
Servings 4

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

Instructions
 

  • Place the prepared smoked herring fillets in a large bowl and flake them with a fork.
    Smoked herring in a bowl
  • Add the tomatoes, scallion, parsley, sliced Scotch Bonnet, black pepper, and crushed garlic, tossing gently to combine.
    smoked herring and chopped vegetables in bowl
  • Layer the thinly sliced onion over the top; do not stir.
    sliced onions in a bowl
  • Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat until wisps of smoke appear. 
    heated olive oil in a pan
  • Carefully pour the hot oil over the onion slices to achieve the signature “chunkay” effect.
  • 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
  • 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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