Let Food be Your Medicine……………and not a Turkey in sight!!!
NEW YEAR’S EVE “FAKE FISH” RECIPE (PESCE FINTO)
I know the name doesn’t sound that appetising. However, this is a MUST
centre piece on New Year’s Eve. Why the fish? Because it is a symbol of re-
birth and prosperity: the year is at the end and a new one is beginning and
it’s going to be better than the one we just had or at least that’s the hope.
Why “fake”? Fish is traditionally expensive and not everyone could afford it,
especially in the past, so people had to get creative and turn the humble
potato into a fancy dish.
Where I come from, New Year’s Eve is a BIG DEAL, so the fake fish would
be only one of many, many courses. However, if you don’t wish to spend at
least two days before the event slaving in the kitchen to prepare delicious
culinary wonders (which is what my mum and auntie used to do every year
before the party) you can still make your table look fabulous with this simple
recipe!
This is what you need:
1 kg of potatoes for mash
1 tin of tuna in extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon juice and grated rind
Dill & Parsley
To decorate (optional)
1 tube of mayonnaise to decorate
Sliced black olives for the eye
Slice of red pepper for mouth
Gherkins for scales
Boil the potatoes with the skin on and when they are done, drain and leave
them to cool. Peel the potatoes and mash them or use a potato ricer. Add
the tuna, lemon juice, finely chopped
parsley and dill and grated rind of half
a lemon. Mix until you have a smooth
creamy “dough”.
At this point you could use a fish
mould, but you can also easily go
“freestyle” and shape the mixture like
a fish on an oval plate. Use your
imagination to decorate and get your
children involved too, it’s great fun!
Place the “fish” in the fridge and take out at the right time!
BONUS TIP: to jazz up your dining table and make it extra sparkly, try
scattering a few gold chocolate coins on the table and around the house, on
the mantelpiece, for example. You can also use Quality Street chocolates to
that effect: the wrappers are so shiny and colourful, they are lovely to look at
and you can eat them too!
………………………………………
Giovanna Franklin
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