Saturday, August 27, 2011

“Fish Fingers” and Custard

by Darla

You probably recall that I’m a Doctor Who fan. I love DW almost as much as I love Harry Potter. Really, it’s thisclose (DW is probably tied with Star Trek…but I’ve never posted about Star Trek; I need to get on that). Yet this post is my only Doctor Who post. Until today. A Saturday. Which I, like, never post on, ’cause I take the weekends off. But tonight is the mid-season premiere of Doctor Who 6.5!!!!!

Excuse me for a moment…

**SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!**

Ahem. As I was saying, Doctor Who 6.5 premieres tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST. I can’t wait! And I made a treat for it.

Today, I bring you fish fingers and custard. Alright, for those Americans who aren’t also Whovians, this is fish sticks and pudding. Sounds delish, huh?

Not really.

Well, I have a sweet little trick up my sleeve, but first, a little back story…very short, leaving out all of the really important details, because then you would just get way too confused and I’d never be able to explain it all properly, especially just in one post. Really.

See, the Doctor regenerates when he’s killed. Well, not killed, ’cause he doesn’t die, because he regenerates, see? Already confusing, huh?

Anywho, he regenerates. He becomes someone new. Well, not new, because he’s the same old (and I mean old) Doctor he always was, but now he’s new (and young … sort of … but not really). Well, again, not new. He looks new. But he is new too, because he’s a new someone, with new looks, and attitudes, and tastes. But essentially, he’s the same. Get it? No? Well, just keep reading, you might.

So, like I said, the Doctor regenerates, he gets new. New look, new likes, new dislikes, and new tastes (but same old Doctor…). In his latest regeneration, into the Eleventh Doctor, played by the incredibly talented, super adorable, and perfectly perfect Matt Smith (as much as I love him, he’s still only my second favorite Doctor ever … ‘nother post), he needed to find that … something … to eat. Regeneration really takes it out of you, after all. Ten almost didn’t make it through his regeneration. Good thing he finally got a nice cuppa tea.

The Doctor isn’t really quite sure, since he doesn’t quite know himself anymore (even though he’s sort of really the same Doctor he’s always been) what he wants. After meeting the lovely little Miss Amelia Pond, he proceeds to explore the possibilities of what he may, or may not, want to eat, with little Amelia’s help, of course. She strikes out on every count, but he suddenly realizes that exactly what he needs is … fish fingers. And … custard. Or fish custard.

Fish Fingers and Custard

Of course, I knew then and there, the first time I saw it, that fish custard must be recreated. I’m a big ole chicken, though, and I refused to have actual fish fingers with my custard. I’m just not that brave.

So I came up with my own version. A sweeter, cookier version that has no fishy to it whatsoever. I made sweet vanilla “fish fingers” cookies and “breaded” them in a lovely graham cracker coating. And they look real. So real you may have trouble convincing people that they really are just cookies.

All you need for these sneaky little cookies is vanilla extract, almond extract (optional), confectioners’ sugar, salt, baking powder, all-purpose flour, an egg (for vegan/dairy free), unsalted butter or margarine (at room temperature), and graham crackers (Nabisco Original Graham Crackers for vegan/dairy free and Kinnikinnick Graham Style Crackers for gluten free).

As for the custard, I used my vanilla pastry cream from my fresh fruit tart recipe. The pastry cream can be made gluten free, however I don’t have vegan substitutions for it. A little research around the Interwebs brought up several very tasty sounding vegan pastry cream and vanilla pudding recipes.

The cookies mix up super fast (directions below), and if you don’t want to make homemade custard or pastry cream, instant vanilla pudding is an excellent stand in. Once the cookies are mixed, they need to chill for at least 20 minutes. While they’re chilling is a great time to mix up the custard.

Once chilled, shape one tablespoon portions of the cookie dough into three- to four-inch “fish fingers.” You can make them sort of flat on the sides, like a real fish finger, but that sort of disappears in the next step. Plus, once you bake them, they melt into the right shape anyway.

Roll each fish finger in the graham cracker mixture to coat it evenly. This is the “breading.”

Here are all of the cookies, coated and ready for the oven. You’d be hard pressed to admit that these aren’t the real deal! The graham cracker coating makes them look so perfect.

Once the cookies are done, you can serve them straight up with the custard, or you can add a little more excitement by making chocolate cookie cups to serve everything in.

These are the pretty much the exact same recipe as the fish finger cookies, except they have cocoa powder added. In fact, I made the dough for the fish fingers and these cookie cups all at once, then I divided it in half, and added the cocoa to one half. The dough is still chilled for 20 minutes, then it’s pressed into a lightly greased muffin pan to form cups. They onlytake 15 minutes to bake, and they pop right out of the pan.

I think these turned out so sweet and adorable, and perfectly Whovian. Chocolate always makes everything better, but…

…these are just as tasty, and awfully fun, served up just like the Doctor ate them. Enjoy!

“Fish Fingers” Cookies [Printable Version]
Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies

**Can be made vegan and gluten free with listed substitutions!!**

Ingredients

FOR THE COOKIES
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (GF for gluten free)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature (margarine for vegan)
1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons (91 grams), confectioners’ sugar
1 egg (1/4 cup egg substitute or 1 T flax seed combined with 3 T water, for vegan)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE “BREADING”
5 whole graham cracker sheets, or 75 grams (Nabisco Original Graham Crackers for vegan/dairy free and Kinnikinnick Graham Style Crackers for gluten free)
1 tablespoon (25 grams) sugar
2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted (margarine for vegan)

To make the cookies: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat until thoroughly combined and fluffy. Stir in the egg and extract(s) until combined. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture into the bowl and mix until just combined. Add the remaining flour, mixing until until thoroughly combined.

Cover and chill for 20 to 30 minutes.

To make the “breading”: In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a food processor, crush the graham crackers until they look like dry sand. Stir in the sugar. Add the melted butter and combine the mixture until it resembles wet sand; set aside.

Shape the cookies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees (165 C).

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and shape one tablespoon portions of dough into 3- to 4-inch “fish fingers.” Roll each fish finger in the graham cracker breading, completely coating them, and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 20 to 23 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.

Chocolate Cookie Cups [Printable Version]
(This is essentially the same recipe as the “Fish Finger” recipe, but with cocoa powder added)
Makes 1 dozen

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (GF for gluten free)
1/4 cup (25 grams) cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature (margarine for vegan)
1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons (91 grams), confectioners’ sugar
1 egg (1/4 cup egg substitute or 1 T flax seed combined with 3 T water, for vegan)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lightly spray a standard muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat until thoroughly combined and fluffy. Stir in the egg and extract(s) until combined. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture into the bowl and mix until just combined. Add the remaining flour, mixing until until thoroughly combined.

Cover and chill for 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (165 C).

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and press three tablespoon portions of dough into each muffin cup, being sure to work it up the sides to form cups.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely before serving.

1 recipe Vanilla Pastry Cream OR 1 3.4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding

Recipes by Darla

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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jennifer August 27, 2011 at 9:58 am

I have to try this for a future Whovian party! They sound super yummy. :)
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2 Mónica August 27, 2011 at 11:01 am

This is an amazing idea! even if you don’t be a whovian :D

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3 Ashley August 27, 2011 at 11:18 am

Oh my gosh. That is the perfect treat! And easy enough that I can whip it up for tonight. Thanks so much!!!

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4 Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen August 27, 2011 at 11:18 am

I *love* the “breading”, these fish fingers look so real! Also, I thank you for explaining Doctor Who because I always hear so much about it yet never knew what it was about it. It sounds like a show I’d watch! :)
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5 Kim August 27, 2011 at 11:35 am

Too adorable! It’s really too bad that I’m probably going to lose the satellite tonight thanks to Irene. I don’t think I’ll be able to watch Let’s Kill Hitler. *sad face*

And I did enjoy your explanation of the Doctor’s regeneration. I’m a second generation Whovian, so I’m always like, “What do you mean you don’t understand why it’s a different actor? I already told you, he regenerated!”

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6 scooter September 18, 2011 at 3:33 pm

if you loose sat, but not ur interwebers then goto watchseries dot eu and catch all the shows u miss :-P

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7 Sincerely Jill August 27, 2011 at 12:03 pm

I completely missed the very first part about what you were watching so I immediately was confused…. I’m with you know, and I support your decision to not make real fish fingers. Cookies sound much better!
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8 Angela @ The Dancer Bakes August 27, 2011 at 12:16 pm

These couldn’t be more perfect. I loved that part of that episode – but poor young Amy! Keep the Doctor Who treats coming!!
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9 katili August 27, 2011 at 1:00 pm

These are brilliant! I love them :) I must make some. My favorite line of that first episode was, “You’re Scottish, fry something!”
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10 sara August 27, 2011 at 1:49 pm

Eeeeeeeeeeeee, love these! I’m a big Doctor Who fan too…these are so cute (and glad you didn’t use real fish fingers!!) :)
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11 Blog is the New Black August 27, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Totes thought they were real fish sticks! ;) Very creative!
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12 MrsWASP August 27, 2011 at 2:26 pm

This is by far my favorite post of yours!!! Proud American Whovian here! I love it and I can’t wait to see the Hitler episode tonight!!!
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13 Gina August 27, 2011 at 2:43 pm

Soooooo cute! My kids are out of their minds excited about tonight! These are the perfect treat! They were asking me to get fish fingers and custard and these sound so much yummier! Thanks so much for sharing! My daughter (who is 10) asked if she can subscribe to your blog because you both love HP and Doctor Who :)) Love your blog!

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14 AndreaClaire August 27, 2011 at 2:52 pm

I think I’m going to have to host an ‘end of season six’ Who-Party just so I have an excuse to make these.

Also, I feel that once I finally finish designing/sewing my Doctor-Who-TARDIS-messanger bag, I should send you one of the finished products.
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15 shelly (cookies and cups) August 27, 2011 at 3:07 pm

These are so fun! Totally bookmarking these for a fun after school snack!
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16 Michelle August 27, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Oh these are awesome! Perfect accompaniment to a Whovian party!
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17 Doctor Quinn August 27, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Fellow Whovian here… thanks SO MUCH for posting this. Just in time for the launch of the second half of the current season. It’s a WHO party tonight; complete with fish fingers and custard!!

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18 Robin August 27, 2011 at 6:16 pm

Love these! Loved that episode, too. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Wish we could watch the new one with you tonight but we have to wait for it to come out on dvd. It’ll be a looooong time. Enjoy it for us!
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19 carey August 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Wow! What an adorable, delicious, and all-around awesome idea. (David Tennant will always be my favorite Doctor, but Mr. Smith is a close second!)

This may be old news to fellow bakers/Whovians, but I just discovered that ThinkGeek sells a Tardis cookie jar. It even makes Tardis noises when you open it!

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20 Darla August 27, 2011 at 6:50 pm

I feel the same way about David Tennant! He’s my #1! I adore him!! :)

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21 Jo-anne August 27, 2011 at 7:58 pm

Wow they look brilliant! I am sure that my boys will nag me for these (if I let them see this post) for next week’s mid-season premiere (we are a week behind here in Australia)
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22 Trezlen August 27, 2011 at 9:27 pm

I’m also a Whovian! You should have heard my squeal when I read the title of this post in my RSS! Thanks for brightening my night while we wait for the Hurricane in NYC–at least until I get time to watch tonight’s episode! :D

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23 Rebecca Richmond August 27, 2011 at 10:03 pm

LOVE IT!!! I’ve been a Doctor Who fan since Tom Baker. Us American’s are Whovian’s too. We’re just fans that happen to wear Stetsons (just a few of us), after all Stetsons are cool.
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24 Tres Delicious August 28, 2011 at 12:16 am

That’s a nice and savory fish fingers you’ve got. Nice photo as well.
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25 Sasha @ The Procrastobaker August 28, 2011 at 6:34 am

This post is SO cool! I simply love your ingenuity, absolutely gorgeous and i bet taste darn good too :)
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26 Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice August 28, 2011 at 7:12 am

Ok, how wonderfully inventive is this?? I admit I’ve never seen DW even though it’s on TV all the time here… also a big HP fan, should I check it out?
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27 Jessica August 28, 2011 at 8:11 am

I love how you did this. I was (no joke) thinking of making almost the same thing. But since we got home late I just made some bow ties for dinner.

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28 Melissa E August 28, 2011 at 10:02 am

Ooo, these look like loads of fun. Perhaps I can whip up a batch for my husband. Fortunately we have dried custard from England, so that wouldn’t be difficult.

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29 Russell at Chasing Delicious August 28, 2011 at 2:42 pm

These look adorable! I was getting a little worried there for a second about sticking fish in custard. Glad to see what it really is. Delicious!
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30 Sam S. August 29, 2011 at 1:38 am

You have created something absolutely wonderful! Now I have disturbing urge to go go out, get some actual fish sticks and pudding… <3

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31 christine August 29, 2011 at 1:49 am

these look so cute! Just found your blog… love it and will definitely be following from now on!

ps. I have a Coastie of my own, too :)

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32 Maggie August 30, 2011 at 11:42 am

I pretty much love you for having this recipe. None of my friends appreciate Doctor Who :)

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33 Rosa August 30, 2011 at 12:14 pm

You have made several Dr. Who references that I had to find out for myself what this was all about. So, I ended up renting the Dr. Who series and watching them…and now I am totally loving it! I also think David Tennant is the best Dr. Who! Thanks for the recipe. The cookies were really delicious with the custard. I can’t say I would ever try them with real fish sticks, though when I was pregnant, I did eat weirder stuff. : )

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34 Hilary August 31, 2011 at 12:28 pm

I love this!! I’m a huge Doctor Who fan and I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for the Doctor and Amy Pond.

This recipe is so incredible clever.

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35 Erik September 1, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Sneaky little treat, you actually had me believing you were really going to use fish. So, when are we going to see a post on Star Trek? We’re waiting…

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36 Cindy September 18, 2011 at 10:36 am

Did u catch Graham Norton Show…they actually tried the fish fingers and custard with people in the audience..it was hilarious. These are a great idea…just found your blog…looking forward to more…send some sunshine up to us in Kansas City…

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37 Dahveed September 20, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Ah, very clever. I was planning on using real fish sticks and modifying the custard to be more compatible (curry perhaps), but your solution sounds better and can be a desert course. I love the way you presented them also. My daughter’s a recent Dr. Who fan who often mentions she would like fish sticks and custard for dinner.

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38 Audrey October 1, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Oh this is perfect for our finale get together! We have friends over every Saturday to watch and I make snacks (basics; guac/chips, cake, etc), but I wanted to do something special today. I was going to do french toast sticks and pudding, but this is even better!

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39 Lorelei AKA GalaxyGirl October 8, 2011 at 7:53 pm

I know I’m INCREDIBLY late…but being the COLOSSAL Whovian that I am this recipe is one of the greatest recipies I’ve ever seen! :P I just finished The Wedding Of River Song last night (I missed it when it aired last week D:) and am STILL in shock! Can’t wait to see more DW posts from you! This is a great blog!

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40 Amelia October 12, 2011 at 11:28 am

I love these! I wish there were more Whovians in my tiny town so I could have them at a party. My husband would probably just roll his eyes in amusement at my geekiness. Which is fine. :) And I love young Amelia Pond; she’s got my name! “Bit fairy tale.”

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41 Holly (2 Kids and Tired) October 30, 2011 at 12:49 am

Oh, I love this! What an awesome recipe. I definitely need to try this.

We are huge Doctor Who fans. My husband is British, which has everything to do with it. My first doctor was Christopher Eccleston and I wish he’d done it longer, but I love all three of the new ones. I wasn’t sure about Matt Smith at first, but he’s perfect. My husband and son are total Tom Baker fans, but my husband also grew up watching Doctor Who in England. Since I was first introduced to the new ones, I find the classics a bit silly and dated, but they’re sacrosanct at our house. My boys each have their own sonic screwdriver, I have a Sarah Jane sonic lipstick. Christmas isn’t complete until we watch the Christmas special. When my youngest son walks in the door every day after school, he calls out, “Hello Sweetie!” My ring tone is the theme song, my message tone is the sonic and my alarm is the TARDIS sound. We’re bonkers. And now, we can actually eat Fish Fingers and Custard!
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42 Lisa December 5, 2011 at 3:59 pm

Love it!! I think these are absolutely beautiful. And thank you for the vegan version!

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43 Camille December 14, 2011 at 10:12 am

Wonderful recipe! But I guess I must have done something wrong, because the shape didn’t hold and they spread out. They’re still edible, but they look more like ovals than like pudgy little fish sticks.

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44 Darla December 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm

Hi Camille, It sounds like your butter was too soft, or the dough to warm when you placed them in the oven. Next time, try chilling them for 15 minutes or so before baking and that should help them hold their shape.

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45 andromeda January 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm

What a perfect treat! My oldest turns 7 in a couple of weeks and I might just have to do these instead of cake or cupcakes for his Doctor Who themed birthday party! Thank you so much for this post. I will bookmark your site for sure and check back often! (I love it when a random conversation about fish fingers and custard on Facebook brings me to sites like this)

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46 Chelsea January 9, 2012 at 11:02 pm

These are SO COOL! What a great idea. And I found the recipe just in time to make it for my friend for her birthday (we’re both big Doctor Who and 11th Doctor fans). Thanks!

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47 Hexter January 19, 2012 at 7:50 am

You just made my day with this recipe. My daughter is having her 12th birthday party this weekend and I’m making a Tardis cake with the MMF recipe that you have and now we can have fish fingers and custard! She will be thrilled. Her friends don’t have a clue as to who or what Doctor Who is but we do! Geronimo!!!

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