Shark Nuggets

panko crumbed shark nuggets

Order 'Fish n' Chips' in my home state of Melbourne it's most likely going to include fillets of 'flake'; flake is a generic term used here for shark, usually gummy shark. Gummy shark is a popular eating fish for it's boneless plump white fillets and mild flavour. 

Two flake and chips from our local fish and chip shop

Mustelus antarcticus 'Gummy sharks'

wikipedia

Gummy sharks are small variety of shark with a minimum catch size of 45cm (about 18 inches), making them a popular with weekend fisherman.

Today I'm making panko crumbed shark nuggets. Served with a chilli lime mayo, you might prefer sweet chilli sauce or tomato sauce (ketchup) for the kids. 

Method

Cut the flake fillet (preferably Gummy) into bite sized pieces. 

Dip pieces in seasoned plain flour (all purpose), shake off excess. Dip into beaten egg, allow excess to drip off. Roll in Panko or breadcrumb of choice. 

Shallow fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes depending on the size of the your pieces, allow a test piece to break open and check if it is cooked. Your looking for the fish to have changed colour and be white throughout and still juicy.

Drain on paper towel.

Serve with salad, as part of a Japanese meal or as an appetiser with drinks. 

Happy Baking, or in this case frying :)

Gold Fish Cupcake

fondant goldfish cupcake pick tops a fondant covered jasmine tea cupcake

Come join me on facebook!  or view my Flickr cake and baking gallery 

I loved my goldfish, I truly did. I lugged around my fish tank, filters, pumps and paraphernalia from apartment to apartment when I was young. Then the inevitable happened the fish tank sprung a leak and my father said to me "don't worry I'll come over and get your fish and put the fish in my pond" and so he did... where his giant fish proceeded to gobble up my fish in 39.9 seconds! 

Today we are making a fondant goldfish, mine is flat backed but you can make it 3D the same way. I've added a toothpick to turn it into a cupcake pick.

Okay let's get started.

You'll need:

Fondant (with some *CMC added) or modelling paste in colours of choice

lustre or petal dusts in colours of choice

toothpicks painted with food colour of choice

cake/flower glue (optional)

leaf glaze (optional)

Start by making an egg shape with your fondant and shape it into a "fish" shape.

Add scale indents with the tip of piping nozzle or similar. I wanted lots of texture on my fish, but if you want a more realistic fish make your indents further apart.

Role out some of the fondant laced with CMC as thinly as you can. Cut fins and tail with a small knife or small scissors, adhere to your fish body with water. Shape slightly to give add the illusion of movement.

Use plastic wrap or small pieces of foam to support shaped tail and fins.

Add a ring for the eye socket, add a small piece of thin fondant for the gills, cover the join of the tail with another piece of thin fondant and blend in. Check whether you need to add more scales or any finishing touches. Make a hole in the underneath of the fish with a toothpick. Allow to dry, 6 hours to overnight.

Once dry take a small dry paintbrush and dust with colours of choice, starting with the back of the fish. I used white lustre dust and red petal dust. Blend, blend, blend with your paintbrush until you have desired finish. You can let the base colour show through like I did or fully cover with the dusts. 

Dip you toothpick into cake/flower glue or dampen with water and insert into the base of the fish. Add the eyeball to your fish with a little black fondant, glaze with leaf glaze if desired. That's it! You have your self a fish cupcake pick.

Happy Baking :)

*CMC powder, modelling paste, leaf glaze, cake/flower glue, lustre dust and petal dust are available from cake decorating suppliers/shops. 

or how about going a little Japanese with a chocolate goldfish covered in gold leaf

Then there is roses made from Starburst fruit chews.