TEEN CHEF – Cheesy Codfish Balls
FOR 2011, TEENs should look for ways to express their creativity, and why not transform something that as Jamaican TEENs we eat regularly — salt fish (codfish) fritters. The traditional flat salt fish fritters are now being revitalised as delicious Cheesy Codfish Balls. This new type of fritters is the most suitable for a small party or if a couple of friends are coming over to watch a movie. It is easy to make and this finger food is suitable for just about any occasion.
INGREDIENTS
Salt fish
2 Irish potatoes
1 tablespoon butter
1 egg
2 slices of bread
1/3 cup cheese
1/3 cup flour
Vegetable oil
PREPARATION METHOD
1 Soak salt fish in water for about five minutes.
2 Boil salt fish for 15-20 minutes.
3 Drain water from the salt fish and rinse with cold water. Shred the salt fish and remove all scales and bones.
4 Peel potatoes and dice.
5 Boil potatoes in a fresh pot of water for 20 minutes or until cooked. When cooked, place into a dish and crush with butter.
6 Grate the cheese and add to potatoes.
7 Crack the egg in a separate dish and whisk.
8 Tear the two slices of bread into small pieces and put into a blender. Use the ‘crumb’ button to make breadcrumbs.
COOKING METHOD
1 Combine the crushed potato, butter, shredded salt fish and grated cheese into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2 Take a small amount of the mixture and form into a ball.
3 Coat the ball mixture with the flour.
4 Dip the flour-coated ball into the whisked egg. Ensure it is fully covered with egg.
5 Place the ball mixture into the breadcrumbs.
6 Repeat steps for the rest of the mixture.
7 Heat the vegetable oil on medium flame. Do not allow the oil to start burning, so if smoke is seen coming from the pot it means the oil is over heated and you will need to start over.
8 Test the oil by dropping a some breadcrumbs into the pot. If it begins to fry immediately it means the oil is hot enough.
9 Carefully place the coated balls into the oil to fry. (CAUTION: Do not hold the ball far from the oil and drop it, the oil will splash up and burn you).
10 Fry until golden, then remove from the pot and place on paper towel or an absorbent paper.
11 Serve while hot with a sauce, if available.
Note: Do not attempt without parental supervision.
