Basic Deep Fried Fish Whole Food

CHINESE DEEP-FRIED FISH WITH SPICY BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the head from the fish (or have your fishmonger do this) and cut the fish into 2-inch thick steaks. Put the rice flour on a plate and season it well with salt and pepper; dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a deep pot or a wok large enough to hold the fish, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully put in the fish and deep-fry until it is browned, crisp, and cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the fish pieces and drain them on paper towels; place them onto a platter.
• Carefully drain all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok. Stir-fry the scallions, ginger, garlic, and chiles for about 2 minutes. Add the black beans and fry for another minute. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water making sure to get out all the lumps. Pour this slurry into the black bean mixture (it will thicken immediately) and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish pieces, garnish with cilantro leaves, and serve.

DEEP FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Half-fill a deep pan with melted fat or oil. Heat until a faint haze rises from it (or until a bread cube sinks to the bottom of the pan, rises to the top immediately and turns golden in 50 seconds).
• Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
• Beat to a smooth batter, unbeaten egg, butter and milk. Then add the flour and salt mixture.
• Coat 2 pieces of fish with batter.
• Lift into the pan with a fork or kitchen tongs.
• Fry until crisp and golden, allowing about 6-8 minutes for large pieces and 4-5 minutes for medium.
• Remove from the pan and drain on absorbent kitchen paper.
• Repeat with the remaining fish.
• Garnish with lemon wedges.

BASIC DEEP-FRIED FISH, WHOLE

Steps:

• 1. Have fish cleaned and scaled, but left whole. Wash then dry well with paper toweling. Score on each side with 3 diagonal slashes. Rub lightly with salt. 2. Cover fish with any of the Basic Deep-Fried Fish, Whole: Coatings. 3. Heat oil. (Use enough to cover fish completely.) Add fish and deep-fry until done, 8 to 15 minutes, depending on size. (Allow about 1 minute on each side over high heat, about 4 minutes on each side over medium heat, and about 1 minute on each side over high heat again.) Drain on paper toweling. 4. Serve hot with a sweet-and-pungent or Five Willow Sauce, a soy sauce dip or pepper-salt mix (see Seasonings and Sauces).The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.