The Sharkwich(Bake & Shark)-

Bake and Shark is not just food; it’s an experience!​ Imagine sinking your teeth into warm, fluffy fried bread cradling a juicy piece of fried shark, all while standing on the sandy shores of Maracas Bay in Trinidad and Tobago. This delightful street food is a carnival for your taste buds, combining savoury shark meat with a colourful array of toppings like fresh veggies, tangy chutneys, and spicy sauces. And let's not forget the best part: customising your own "sharkwich" with a build-your-own topping bar! It's like a delicious, Caribbean-inspired sandwich that’s perfect for beach adventures, and it’s so good that even chefs like Anthony Bourdain couldn't resist singing its praises! So next time you find yourself in Trinidad, grab a bake and shark—your taste buds will thank you!

The Fish

2 lb shark

1 lime or lemon

1cup Water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon Green Seasoning also known as Sofrito

1/4 scotch bonnet pepper

1 cup all purpose flour

Any good oil for frying (about 2-3 cups)

Toppings! What makes this dish ta true delight are the flavours from all the toppings which can vary widely but often include shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pineapples, cucumbers, tamarind chutney, pepper sauce, garlic sauce, and a variety of slaws. Feel free to get creative.

Some Tips; Only purchase Fresh Shark from the Fishmarket. Ask them to remove the skin from the filets because this can be tough to do at home. You can also substitute King Fish, Mahi Mahi or Catfish.

Cooking Directions

Place shark in a bowl with enough lemon juice and water mixture to cover. Let sit for about 15mins, then remove from the water and pat with paper towels. Add the sofrito/ green seasoning. This is where I like to marinate for about 30 mins in the fridge.  Use about 2 cups of flour to bread the fish, be sure to shake off excess.

In a pan, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add pieces of the fish and cook about 10 - 15 min.   The frying time varies depending on the type of fish, its' thickness and of course the type of stove being used.( Electric or Gas ) If the fish browns too quickly, adjust the heat accordingly.

The Bake- A fried bread we in the Caribbean like to call Bake. If an oxymoron ever tasted good then this is it.

3cups Flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/3 cup sugar

4 tbsp Unsalted butter

pinch of salt

1 cup water

Any good oil for frying

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together in a bowl.  Using your hand, a spatula , or your Kitchen Aid Mixer rub the butter into flour.  Add water to make a firm dough, but not stiff. 

The Dough should be easy to roll.  Let the dough rest for about 30 mins.

Divide and roll the dough into small balls the size of golf balls. Roll dough to about 1/2 inch thick.

Heat about 1/2 cup of oil on a medium fire in a heavy frying pan.

Fry dough until golden brown, flipping once. Place cooked dough on paper towels to soak up any excess oil, and serve hot.

This recipe will allow you to experience the delightful flavours of Trinidad right in your own home! Enjoy your cooking!