Shark and Bake

By Foodguy on May 27th, 2008

Shark and Bake
This is a specialty dish served from roadside and beach side food vendors at Maracas Bay in Trinidad. Its their version of fish and chips. If you can not find shark, you can substitute with any type of fish you can bread and fry, such as cod, haddock, tilapia or mahi mahi. The word “bake” refers to the deep fried batter of dough that is used to wrap around the fish. Its very similar to the fry bread you would find at carnivals and festivals. Once the fish is added to the bake, you can top it off with any kind of chutney, hot pepper calypso sauce, cucumbers, pickles or whatever else you desire.

The Bake and Shark:

BakesINGREDIENTS:

4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
2-2 1/2 cups of water
Vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, sift the bread flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.
Slowly add enough water to make a soft dough.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes and let rest for 30 minutes.

Divide dough into 6 portions and flatten each one to a diameter of around 6 inches and 1/4 inch thick. (If necessary, oil hands to prevent dough from sticking to your hands)

Fry in hot oil until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Shark and Bake

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. fish, cut into pieces about 4 inches long and 1-2 inch wide
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons scallions, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour seasoned with salt and pepper
2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
2 eggs beaten
Vegetable oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

In a 9×13 glass baking dish, arrange the fish in one layer. In a small bowl combine and mix the lime juice, garlic, scallions, thyme, and salt, mix well. Spoon the mixture over the fish and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

In 3 separate bowls or dishes, put the flour in one, breadcrumbs in the 2nd and eggs in the 3rd.

Drain the fish and dip each one into the flour, then the egg and then finally in the breadcrumbs.

Heat oil a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and fry in batches until fish is golden brown (2-3 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.

Serve the fish wrapped in Bakes and sprinkle the shark-and-bake with your favorite hot sauce.