Fish fingers are the perfect snack or served as a starter.
Image: Léo Roza / Unsplash
Fish fingers are an easy win when you need something that both children and adults will eat.
But instead of reaching for a frozen box, it is surprisingly simple to make homemade fish fingers using pieces of real fish.
They are crisp on the outside, tender in the middle and can be served with chips for supper, or smaller portions can be put out as a starter or snack.
The homemade tartar sauce is worth making too.
It takes only a few minutes and gives you a fresh, creamy dip that works with the fish and can be made while the fish fingers are cooking.
Hake is an excellent choice for homemade fish fingers and is widely available in South Africa.
Its mild flavour also makes it a good option for children who may be less keen on strongly flavoured fish.
You can use another firm white fish if you prefer. Choose boneless, skinless fillets and cut the pieces into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
If the fillets contain bones, remove them before cutting the fish into strips.
The fish should be opaque in the centre and should flake easily when tested with a fork. The coating should be golden brown and crisp.
For those who prefer to check with a food thermometer, fish should reach an internal temperature of 63°C.
Because the thickness of the fish pieces can vary, use the appearance and texture of the fish as well as cooking time to judge when they are ready.
You know the fish fingers are cooked through when it's opaque in the centre and flakes easily.
Image: Valeria Boltneva / Pexels
Tartar sauce is one of the easiest sauces to make at home and is particularly good with fried fish.
The combination of mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, capers, dill and lemon gives it the creamy, sharp flavour that works so well with crispy fish.
Tartar sauce works well with almost any fish dish.
Image: Juan Henao / Pexels
Chips are the obvious choice, but these fish fingers don't have to be limited to a traditional fish-and-chips-style meal.
Serve them with the tartar sauce as a starter, add them to a platter for a casual gathering, or serve smaller fish fingers as a snack with dipping sauces.
For children, they can simply be served with chips and the tartar sauce on the side.
Adults can add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a simple salad for a more complete meal.
The best part about making them yourself is that you can control the size of the fish fingers and the amount of seasoning and coating.
It's a straightforward recipe that is just as useful for a family supper as it is when you need something easy to put on the table for guests.
