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Frekedel with Creole Sauce ~ Aruban Style Fish Cakes ~ Food of the World ~ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen
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5 from 5 votes

Frekedel: A Fish Cake from Aruba {Food of the World}

This delightful fish cake is served over a crouton and Creole sauce
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Aruba, Caribbean
Servings: 6
Author: LydiaF

Ingredients

For the fish cakes

  • 1 lb hake or other firm white fish
  • water for poaching
  • salt for water
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 2 slices bread, crusts removed (I used a whole grain bread with seeds)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • enough milk to wet the bread
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

For the Creole Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 red pepper. diced small
  • 1/2 green pepper, diced small
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced small
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced small
  • 1 tomato, seeds removed, diced small
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg more or less

Other

  • oil for frying the frekedel
  • seasoned flour for breading the fish cakes
  • a toasted crouton for each frekedel
  • chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
  • slice lemons

Instructions

  • Fill a large skillet about an inch and a half deep with water and add salt.
  • Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and heat until simmering.
  • Reduce the heat slightly and poach the fish for about 10 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
  • Remove from heat.
  • While the fish is cooling make the Creole sauce by sauteing the peppers and onions in the butter until softened.
  • Add the tomatoes and ketchup and season with salt, pepper and grated nutmeg.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are very soft. Add some water if needed to loosen the sauce. Keep warm while making the fish cakes.
  • When the fish is cool enough to handle, break it into pieces and transfer into a mixing bowl.
  • Pour enough milk over the bread to soak it.
  • Squeeze out the milk and break up the bread into small pieces. Add to the fish in the bowl.
  • Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and stir in the beaten eggs. Mix well.
  • The mix should be wet, but manageable. If it doesn't hold it's shape you can add dry bread crumbs.
  • Form the fish into 4 - 6 cakes and dredge them in a little flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
  • Heat enough oil to pan fry the fishcakes in a large skillet.
  • Fry them for 4 or 5 minutes on each side or until nicely browned and heated through. Work in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Drain on paper towels.
  • Use a biscuit cutter or large glass roughly the size of the fishcakes to cut out croutons from sliced bread then toast them as desired.
  • To serve, spread a little Creole sauce on a plate, then stack the crouton and frekedel on top. Add more Creole sauce and garnish with fresh herbs.