Authentic Caribbean Bakes & Saltfish Fishcakes | Easy Island Recipe

saltfish

🥗Healthier: cod

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Canned tuna is more affordable and still provides a similar texture.

potatoes

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: instant potato flakes

Instant potato flakes save time and are cost-effective.

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Cornmeal adds a unique flavor and is often less expensive.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: aquafaba

Aquafaba is a vegan alternative that binds well.

Introduce the ingredients for the fish cakes and bakes.

Use salted and dried saltfish (codfish) for the fish cakes.

Grate half an onion instead of chopping it.

Grate garlic and chop green onions or chives, thyme, and parsley.

Add Caribbean hot sauce to the fish cake mixture.

For the bakes, combine 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pack of rapid rise yeast, and a dash of nutmeg in a bowl.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of warm water to activate the yeast.

Knead the dough until it's soft and slightly sticky, then cover it with cling wrap and a tea towel to let it rise until doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, cook the saltfish in water at least two or three times to reduce saltiness.

Break down the cooked saltfish into smaller pieces, then add grated onion, green onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, red bell pepper, and hot sauce to the mixture.

Add a little of the water used to cook the saltfish to the mixture for flavor.

Add flour until the mixture reaches a good consistency, then add half a teaspoon of baking powder and mix gently.

Taste the mixture and adjust with more hot sauce if desired.

Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Drop spoonfuls of the fish cake mixture into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.

Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip carefully using a fork or spoon without poking into the cakes.

Remove the fish cakes from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Roll out the bakes dough and stretch it to the desired size before frying.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens