Fish in Fish (Fish shaped Bread with a Fish Filling)

Recipe No: 172

Friday is always a fun day at my house as there is no school for kids and office for my husband for the next two days. So mostly we may go out, shop, eat out may be a movie  a late night (for kids)…. the extravaganza goes on and on… As it was really cold this weekend we decided to stay at home and as a fun thing to do with the kids, I decided to make this. Ha... forgot to mention, this name 'Fish in Fish' was suggested by my daughter...

Ingredients                                   Serves 4

•  Bread Stick dough………...........1 batch (Click here for the recipe)
• Egg…………………………………..…1, beaten with a tablespoon of Water

For the filling

• Oil……………………………………….2 Tablespoons
• Onion chopped……………………..1 Cup
• Ginger Garlic paste………………..1 Teaspoon
• Indian Green Chilly chopped….1 no
• Curry Leaves…………………….….1 Sprig
• Red Chilly Powder………………..1/2 Teaspoon
• Coriander Powder…………………1 Teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder………………….1/4 Teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder………….1/2 Teaspoon
• Pepper Powder………………..……1/2 Teaspoon
• Tomato chopped……………….….1 small
• Tuna……………………………………1, 7oz can drained (1 cup cooked and shredded fish)
• Soy Sauce…………………………….3/4 teaspoon
• Coriander Leaves chopped……..2 Tablespoons
• Salt as needed

Method of Preparation
To make the Filling

1. Prepare a batch of Bread Stick dough and let it rise as mentioned in the recipe.
2. Heat Oil in a pan on medium high heat and saute the Onion, Green Chilly and Curry Leaves till the Onion is translucent.
3. Add the Ginger Garlic paste and saute till the raw smell is gone.
4. Lower the heat and add Red Chilly Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala Powder and Pepper Powder and fry till the raw smell is gone for a minute.
5. Add Tomatoes and cook till it is mashed up.
6. Add cooked Fish or Tuna and mix really well.
7. Mix in Coriander Leaves and Soy Sauce.
8. Add more Salt if needed and switch off the heat before it dries up.
9. Let it cool completely before stuffing.

To stuff and bake the dish

1. Punch down the raised dough and divide it into two equal portions.
2. Roll out each portion of the dough into 10 x 7 inch rectangle.
3. From each of the rolled dough, cut off pieces roughly in the shape of a fish.
4. Place one piece of dough on a baking sheet, and on top of that, place the Fish filling  leaving 1 centimeter from the periphery  (will help in sticking both of  the dough pieces) and with more filling towards the middle (will give the height).
5. Place the other  piece of dough on top and seal the edges tightly by pressing with a fork. Make Fins with the extra dough and attach with the help of some Water.

6. Cover this with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
7.  Preheat the oven to 375˚F/191˚C, with a pan filled with 2 cups of Water in the lower level of the oven.
8. Once the prepared bread is raised, place a clove for the eyes, cut a slit in the front for mouth and  score the top of the fish to give the features of a fish like the Operculum (the covering of the Gills) and the scales with the help of a pointed object (like a tooth pick or the end of a knife).
9. Beat an Egg with a tablespoon of Water (Egg Wash) and brush the top of the fish thoroughly.
10. Bake this in the middle of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes till the top is nicely browned and the middle of the Fish is 165˚F/ 74˚C or cooked through.
11. Let it cool on a wire rack and serve warm.

Notes:

• Don't make the filling too dry.
• When you make the filling, add more Salt only towards the end, as Soy Sauce contains Salt.
• Placing more filling in the middle will give more height in the middle like the real Fish.
• Make the marks on the top only after the second rising period, otherwise the marks will be erased while rising.
• The Water Vapor that comes from the Water in the pan will make the Bread soft.

 





Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love...