Blokes love ugly food. So on Sunday morning faced with nine hungry (and hungover) fellows, I dusted off a classic ugly food recipe and made mock fish.
Mock Fish is an old fashioned term for potato pancakes and were a great (and economical) way to feed a family. But I love mock fish because it brings back memories of boozy nights and slow barbecued breakfasts with two of my best girlfriends before we got blokes and had babies.
Ironically, my baby helped me make these on Sunday morning.
how to make mock fish
ingredients:
- 5 medium sized potatoes
- 1 brown onion
- 2 tbs plain flour
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to season
- oil for frying
method:
Peel and grate the onion and potatoes. Squeeze as much water as you can from the potato, then stir in the flour. Beat the eggs and add those to the mix. Season and stir well.
Form the mixture into pancakes and fry until golden brown. Serve with bacon and eggs, piping hot coffee and anything else that will help right the ship. Makes ten delicious, crunchy cakes. 
Mock fish qualifies as ugly food because anything 'mock' became unfashionable. I suspect it's because the real deal started to become affordable (and let's all take a moment to be very happy about that!) But that said, Anne's recipe for mock chicken remains one of the most popular posts on this site. Viva la ugly food!
did you grow up on 'mock' food?
what's your favourite hangover feed?
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Don't be frightened but I just printed this out!! I know right? Bet the fussy cuties would eat these! xx
Amanda Smyth says
A reader named Margie got in touch and told me that growing up her family ate them regularly and called them Potato Ruffs. Maybe skip the Mock Fish title and tell the kids they're Ruffs, Em!?
Richard "Doc" Smith says
I just wrote down the Mock Fish and Mock Chicken Receipts. I'll give them a try In the morning. My two youngest kids (22 yo and 23 yo) are attending a 4 day concert on the beach where the States of Alabama and Florida meet. I believe they will be needing the "hangover" cure.
Late Sprng is here with summer coming fast. I have started baking Blueberry Cobblers and Lemon Cheese Cake Pies.
Doc
Amanda Smyth says
You're a good man Doc - I'm sure they'll be appreciative. Enjoy the warmer weather! x
Annalisa says
Hello Amanda, I'm and italian mom and I also have a blog.
I like your virtual space very much and this receipe is very yummy for me ! I sometimes make pancakes but this version with potatoes is original! I love it! Byebye and have a good weekend!
byebye
Ana walker says
Hi there, my name is Ana and am from the Cook Islands. I attended a beautiful wedding last week and the food was all vegan food and oh so lovely. I found it hard to believe the sweet n sour fish, sweet n sour chicken n sweet n sour pork was the real mcoy lol. The vegan food was absolutely divine and I can live off this kind of food. Thank u for the many lovely recipes, I am trying them out. Cheers
rainbow says
I was fed these mock fish as a child, are they also known as potato latkes?
Chris Hogan says
Our family enjoyed '"mock fish" during the war years (WWII) - fish was unobtainable. It was something we looked forward to having.
Rhonda says
Mock fish was a staple of my childhood in country Victoria Aust. I made this recipe for my grandchildren but now called potato pancakes. Still lived
Amanda Smyth says
A timeless classic Rhonda! Your comment has me adding the ingredients to my shopping list! 🙂
Liz says
Same here I grew up in rural NSW mum was from Queensland it was a regular easy lunch or dinner in our house and was my favourite Friday night dinner as a child