Fish Frikadel (Fish Cakes) by the Bard of Bat Yam, Gourmet of Zion

Fish Frikadel (Fish Cakes)
Come rain or sunshine fish frikadel served with dhal and or ‘gesmoorde’ tomato is our favourite meal on a Monday in our household. ‘Gesmoorde’ tomato is made similarly to marinara sauce.


Fish Frikadel

Ingredients:
500g hake fillets or 3 tins tuna chunks, in brine, drained
2 slices of bread (preferably a couple of days old)
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 teaspoon jeera/cumin powder
1 & 1/2 teaspoons leaf masala (curry powder)
1/2 teaspoon borrie/tumeric
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste
Handful chopped parsley
1 medium egg
Cooking oil for shallow frying

Method:
Boil hake in enough water to cover for 5 – 10 minutes. Drain well and flake. If you using tin tuna, drain well before using.
Soak the bread in water for 10 minutes squeeze out all the water. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan, add the chopped onion. Braise until golden brown. Add tomato, garlic, lemon juice and spices, cook 5 minutes until all the spices are combined. Combine the fish, bread, spices with the rest of the ingredients. Shape into flat fish cakes. Shallow fry in medium to hot oil until brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Serve with white rice, dhal or gesmoorde tomato. Makes about 10 fish cakes 

Lamb Karahi Curry by the Bard of Bat Yam, Gourmet of Zion

This is my take on the karahi curry. Karahi is a garlic and ginger infused curry with a thick sauce. It is full of flavour. Karahi originates from the Indian subcontinent, the name comes from the dish it’s traditionally prepared in, karahi or wok. Here I’ve used one of my normal cooking pots.

You can add more or omit the chillies to your taste. The plain yoghurt neutralises the intense spiciness in the dish. Serve with dhai, naan bread or roti.

Lamb Karahi Curry

Ingredients:
1 kg lamb, cut to bite size pieces
2 tsp garlic roughly chopped
2 tsp ginger roughly chopped
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large tomatoes thinly sliced
3 large onions thinly sliced
2 heaped tsp roasted / leaf masala
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp greek yoghurt
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 green chillies slit lengthwise (optional)
1 tbsp chopped coriander
Lemon slices for garnish

Method:
Warm a pot on high heat
Add lamb pieces
Onions
Tomatoes
Add all the dry spices and salt
Turn heat on slow and slow cook until meat is tender stirring often. About 30-40 minutes.
Add very little water.

Add oil into another pot.
When oil is hot add chopped / crushed garlic, ginger and green chillies.
Add cooked meat to the garlic, ginger and chillies and cook a further 5 minutes, stirring all the time.
Add Greek yoghurt, stir well and cook 10 minutes.
Garnish with fresh chopped coriander and slices of lemon.