Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Sunday, January 16, 2011

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
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...

7 comments:

Subhie Arun said...

wow that was v innovative...looks yummy n tasty!!

Mr. Bronzon said...

WOW!!!!!! Isn't that Amazing or what?? Enikku sherrikkum kushumbu veruunnundu ketto?? :-D More than that, really sad that we are not there to taste this Fish in Fish! How did you even think about this idea in the first place...Nothing but amazing, Asha! Just like how Anton Ego states his last dialogue to Little Chef in Ratatatouille - "Surprise me!" - that's what happened when I read Leah's contribution to the name! I see you are a good influence - hehe ...:-D

archana said...

Excellent work, a piece of art i would say ! I will just keep on looking, and never eat it,if you serve me this. Awesome !

Asha said...

Thank you so much guys....

Anonymous said...

Awesome ... u r such a creative chef ... u rock Asha

Achu's Amma's Kitchen said...

Awesome....work...

Jampani Pickles said...

Hi I am new to this blog. One of my friends madhu from New delhi referred me this blog to learn about all non veg recipes. i was really impressed for these many recipes using using non veg. I am very exited to make my first dish on non veg pickles with your blog inspiration. Thanks alot.

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