beach . fish cakes . bread . crostini

I literally feel smug when I am able to turn one dish into another because the possibilities are endless. Mashed potatoes to fish cakes. Old bread to crostini. The joy of it. Frugal is elegant.

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Yesterday we made fish cakes out of old mashed potatoes and crostini from stale baguettes. Spending the least amount of cash to make stunning nourishing dishes is a skill that is robust and sustainable. It is a lifestyle we can shout about. And enjoy. Frugal is elegant and really important to our joy in the kitchen and aroound the table. I have been there; poor with kids. You too maybe? Let’s share our knowledge.

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And before we start cooking: Your weekly mental health check. Much of what we see and read in the news (though I use the term news very loosely nowadays) is designed to make us React and Rage. Our emotions are being targeted. This overload is an actual plan. For two reasons, in my humble opinion: as a smokescreen to hide other stuff that is going on and as a vehicle to drive clicks, sell advertising and grow readership, etc. (Writing about politics is big business).

So. My dear readers. Lets us not let React and Rage beat us down. Make sure to establish the other R & R. Rest and Recharge. We need to be strong. To continue to witness and comment, to continue to discuss and plan, to continue to safeguard the marginalised and at-risk, to continue to care for and protect our families and communities we must block out time for rest periods, periods of recreation and recharge.

For me this is cooking, gardening, reading, walking, travelling, caring for animals, caring for my family in a way that does not expect return. Stuff like that. Being present without device or cause. Having a cup of tea at my poets window with nothing but the tea in my hands.

This is how I stay strong.

What do you do you look after yourself? To feed your inner beast.

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We went to the beach the other day which made me think of fish cakes - as you do.

It was a milk pond still day.

The term milk pond is a colloquial maritime expression used to describe the sea when it is extremely calm and smooth, with a pale, milky appearance—often due to overcast light or a silty seabed—resembling the surface of a pond filled with milk.

It was so still, no wind, even I could have gone out on the water. I get sea sick, which is a very sad state of affairs for a girl whose Dad was a boatbuilder so I stay on shore. The air was full of the scents of the sea, and fish and the calls of gulls and terns. The rain from the day before had washed the scene clean.

We walked as far as my 38 weeks pregnant companion could go then we had coffee in a cafe by the sea afterwards, which brought out the black and white challenge in me. The juxtaposition of the ever present phone and the gorgeous silky cup of coffee art plus the black and white vibe and the dog made a weird kind of sense.

I love to pursue stories with my pictures. To pause and say what am I trying to show with this picture. How can I tell a story. I take all my shots for you. I have lost the will for instagram and facebook. Just you and my Friends and Family.

We had a lovely coffee and croissant just like I used to do with my Grandma in New Brighton in Christchurch, New Zealand when I was a child in the 60’s though with her we had a pot of tea and a custard square. I would fly alone to Christchurch from Napier at least a couple of times a year. From our beach to her beach. I caught the travel bug early.

Anyway we were chatting and sitting back when this happened: the seagulls began squabbling over a tardily cleared table. we watched them a while. Quite entertained. Daughter told me of a date she went on once and they ate beside the sea like this and the tables had spray bottles full of clean water labelled Gull Spray. A quick squirt and off they flew. Which I thought was kind of funny. These birds are beautiful but aggressive. But beautiful.

Oh and by the way if you want to steal and re-use my photos you are welcome - just don’t forget the credit. I trust you. If you are a premium member of TKG; write and I will send you a larger format copy.

Fish Cakes.

So – like I said, the sea made me think of fish cakes. I am not fussy about fish. Yes, my Dad built fishing boats, I am hopeless with the names of fish but I am fussy about freshness. The eye of the fish has to be clear and shiny. The fillets moist, firm and springy to the touch. Almost translucent. I literally won’t buy fresh fish unless I am close to the sea. That’s how fussy I am.

When I was a very young and a single Mum with piles of kids and dirt poor, I was not fussy, we made these fish cakes with canned tuna (and you know about the origins of that fish, if it was indeed fish). The breadcrumbs were from left over toast, the eggs from chooks under the tree, the parsley and onions and garlic from the garden so this recipe was born of that time of frugal living and – yeah – whatever works.

Everybody makes their fish cakes differently – this is our family recipe. Don’t over brown the fish cakes. I don’t like a tough outside. Just the gentlest of crunches - though I am aware that is an oxymoron. The pan is to sear and brown. They will finish cooking in the oven. We love a delicate, lightly seasoned fish cake with the sweetness of the fish. a hint of pepper and the pop of green parsley. When I am pan frying the fish cakes I toss fingerfuls of chopped parsley onto the cakes, then flip them (once) the parsley bakes in green and fresh. It pops in the pan too which is fun.

In the pursuit of a delicate combination of flavours, I poach the garlic cloves in a little milk. This takes that high acidic note out of the garlic leaving mellow garlic. Strain and cool then chop as usual.

Fish Cakes.

• Three or four fish fillets (fresh or frozen)

• Yesterday’s mashed potatoes (3 cups).

• 2 eggs whipped

• 2 garlic cloves poached in milk, drained and chopped finely

• Half a white onion

• Green onions

• Parsley - lots of parsley.

• Pepper and Salt

• Bread crumbs. You can use panko or make fresh breadcrumbs from stale bread. My favourite.

Pan fry fish in butter. Flake. Checking for bones. Today I used Whiting.

Warm the potato (it is easier to work warm), add the onion while the potato is hot to sweat it, then fold in the fish. When cooled a little, beat the eggs and fold them into the potato mixture with 1/2 cup of parsley and a few finely chopped green onions, and the finely chopped garlic. Use a tablespoon or so of breadcrumbs to reach a malleable consistency.

I make the mixture ahead of time so the flavours have time to exchange.

Later: shape the potato and fish mixture into golf balls, roll in breadcrumbs. Heat pan, add a pat of butter and a slug of oil. Place in hot sizzling pan and gently flatten to your chosen thickness. Pan fry in the butter and oil until lightly brown on either side (turn only once - these are delicate) then finish in the oven. Serve hot from the oven.

We ate these with a tartare-ish sauce made with yoghurt, parsley, capers, dill, shallots cornishons (tiny gherkins) and lemon. Served with crostini and a green salad from the garden.

And today I have leftovers from the left overs. Fish cakes for breakfast!

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Crostini

Did I tell you I collect stale bread recipes.

Crostini is the most addictive of the stale bread recipes.

Crostini

• Turn oven on to 300F (150C)

• Take that left over baguette you made yesterday.

• Slice thin, super thin – nice even slices.

• Brush with olive oil.

• Lay out onto a baking sheet.

• Salt lightly.

• Cook on low until brown and crunchy. About twenty minutes. Ten a side.

You want to get them dry and golden but not so dry that they will be too hard to crunch into. If you get the drying right these will stay good in a jar for a week. But they never last that long - We love them! Kids and adults alike.

Crostini makes gorgeous bread crumbs to go on your fish cakes if you are so inclined. Just blitz them in the food processor.

Now - have a gorgeous day. Look after yourself. Feed the beast within.

Whats your favourite stale bread recipe?

Love Celi

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