Fried Fish Balls from Brussels

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 5

FOR THE FISH BALLS

• 350 g leftover fish , boned and skinned
• 500 g boiled floury potatoes
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped chervil
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 50 g softened butter
• 2 egg yolks

FOR THE BATTER

• 100 g plain flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ liter lukewarm beer
• 2 egg whites
• 1 pinch salt

Directions:

1. Mix the flour and salt with the oil and the beer, beating well together.
2. Cover and leave in the kitchen, not the refrigerator or the cool larder, until required.
3. This gives the batter a chance to ferment slightly, which improves its texture.
4. Just before the batter is about to be used, beat the egg whites until stiff and fold in carefully.
5. Remove any skin or bones from the cooked fish.
6. Mash the boiled potatoes and mix the fish, potatoes, chopped garlic, herbs and the softened butter together.
7. Add the egg yolks one at a time: the mixture should hold its shape and be neither too dry nor too liquid.
8. Use only one egg yolk if this gives the right consistency, or the second egg yolk and a drop of milk if the mixture is too dry.
9. Season to taste.
10. Take a tablespoon of the mixture, roll between the palms of your hands, into a small ball: continue until all the mixture has been used up, flouring your hands from time to time.
11. Using a fork, dip each ball in the batter and then plunge into hot fat.
12. When brown and crispy, remove and serve with tomato sauce or mayonnaise.

Reviews

[lindseylcw]

Spent a good time with a Belgian family in my youth and this brings back the taste of wonderful Belgian food, little fiddly to make and get texture right but well worth persevering. Thank you for all your wonderful flemish recipes.