Fish is usually the flavour of the day at lunch or dinner, but in T&T, when we think of a fish sandwich we think of the much-loved delicacy shark and bake.But a great fish sandwich can be much more than shark and bake, and a lot healthier too. Don't get me wrong, I love a slice of shark with a golden fried bake, but only occasionally would I indulge myself.Fish sandwiches make great Saturday lunchtime meals or quick dinners if you are really in a rush. Pair them up with some sweet potato fries and it's a meal well worth waiting for!
SHRIMP PO BOYS WITH CREAMY COLE SLAW
This is a popular sandwich in Louisiana USA, and is usually made with oysters.
6 foot long crusty rolls, or hot dog rolls
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 tsp all spice powder
1 egg lightly beaten
Vegetable oil to fry
CREAMY COLE SLAW
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded carrot
2 tbs chopped celery
1 tsp grated onion
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup mayonnaise or more to taste.
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until ready for use.
METHOD
Season shrimp with garlic and salt.
Combine cornmeal with allspice powder.
Dredge shrimp in flour, then egg, then cornmeal.
Fry in hot oil until golden.
Spread mayonnaise onto roll, fill with shrimp and top with creamy cole slaw.
Serves 4 to 6
Grilled fillet of kingfish with lime, pepper and onion relish
1 lb boneless kingfish fillets, about 4*
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbs minced chives
1 tbs fresh French thyme
2 tbs olive oil
Salt
* Chef's note - you can substitute kingfish with any firm fleshed fish.
METHOD
Marinate fish in herbs and olive oil, season with salt. Cook on a hot grill for about 3 minutes per side.
Serve on crusty buns topped with lime and onion relish.
(The fillets can be fried in olive oil as well)
Lime, pepper and onion relish
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 hot pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Juice of 2 large limes or 3 limes
2 tbs olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup boiling water
METHOD
Combine the first four ingredients
Stir in the lime juice
Season with salt and pepper
Pour on the boiling water then cover and leave for 5 to 10 minutes
Spoon over hot fish sandwich.
Caribbean shrimp and fish burgers with chadon beni mayo.
1 lb small shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb boneless fresh fish fillets
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbs minced chives
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp allspice powder
Salt to taste
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup soft breadcrumbs.
METHOD
Mince shrimp and fish in food processor, stir in the rest of ingredients.
Form into 3-inch patties and pan fry for about two minutes per side, in hot olive oil.
Serve in burger buns topped with lettuce, tomato and chadon beni mayo.
Makes 6
CHADON BENI MAYO
1/2 cup low fat mayo
1 tbs finely chopped chadon beni
1 clove garlic, minced.
1/2 tsp pepper sauce.
METHOD
Combine all the ingredients and cover, refrigerate until ready for use.
Makes 1/2 cup.
SWEET POTATO FRIES
To make sweet potato fries simply peel some sweet potatoes, cut into French fry sized strips and cook in deep hot oil until just golden, remove when good and crisp.
Drain and lightly salt.
