Basic Fish Fry Food

CRISPY PAN FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Use scrunched up paper towels to pat the fish dry on both sides. This is especially important if you are using thawed frozen fish.
• Season the fish well on both sides with salt and pepper (key!).
• Mix the flour and paprika on a plate.
• Coat fish on both sides with flour, pressing down firmly so it adheres, but shake well to remove excess. (Note 2)
• Heat a heavy based skillet (normal or non stick) over medium high heat until you see wisps of smoke. Add oil and swirl to coat the pan - it will heat within seconds.
• Add fish - it should sizzle straight away. Shake the pan lightly to move the fish. Cook for 2 minutes until golden and crisp, pressing down gently, then flip. Cook the other side for 2 minutes until crisp then remove.
• If it's browning too quickly, just remove pan from the stove briefly. If it's stuck, don't move - it will release naturally once golden.
• Serve fish immediately with lemon wedges and garnished with dill or parsley, if using. It starts to lose crispiness after 5 minutes.

BASIC FISH FRY

Steps:

• In one pie plate, combine the milk and pepper; this is your 'wet' mix.
• In another pie plate, combine the flour, cornmeal and paprika; this is your 'dry' mix.
• In an electric skillet, heat the oil to 350°F.
• Dip fish into the 'wet' mix, then roll in the 'dry' mix to cover completely.
• Fry the fish filets, a few at a time, in the hot oil for approx 4 min or less per side, until the fish is nicely browned and serve.
• Don't fry them all at the same time or you'll cool down the oil too much and it will have to heat back up to temperature (NOT a good thing).
• If frying in a dutch oven, use a meat thermometer to check your oil temperature, before you fry.
• If using a deep fryer machine, please follow your manufacturer's instructions/booklet.
• Substitutions: if haddock isn't available, substitute hake, pollock, flounder, tilapia or cod instead; you can also use the SKIM version of evaporated milk.

FISH FRY

Steps:

• Pour 2-inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet. Place skillet over large burner and heat oil over medium high heat. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop in 1-inch cube of white bread. The bread should brown in a 40 count.
• Cut cod into 4 servings, 6 to 8-ounce portions and season with salt and pepper. Place a couple of scoops of flour in a pie tin. Combine egg and water in second tin. Season plain bread crumbs and mustard and cayenne in the third tin. Coat fish in flour, then egg, and then bread crumbs. Gently set coated fish into hot oil and fry 5 minutes on each side until medium golden brown in color.
• When the fish is evenly golden all over, remove and drain on brown paper sacks.
• Suggested: 3 disposable pie tins .

BATTER FOR DEEP FRYING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon water, 1 Tablespoon beaten egg, and oil.
• Add wet ingredients to dry and combine until mixed.
• Follow your deep fryer instructions for whatever veggie or meat you're frying.
• This batter is thin and delicious. Don't worry if it doesn't look like it's thick enough. It works great.

THE BEST ALL PURPOSE DEEP FRY BATTER

Steps:

• Mix all dry ingredients, except the extra flour, whisk together.
• Add beer and only mix lightly.
• DO NOT over mix. If there are flour lumps just squish with the back of a spoon.
• You want the mix to be blended but not overmixed as it will not 'puff up' when deep-frying.
• For fish,shrimp, and 'meaty or wet' items I usually towel dry them and dredge them in the additional flour.
• Then dip and cover in mixture. Let the excess drip off and when putting any item in the deep fryer -- use tongs.and dip whatever you are deep frying in the oil for about 10 seconds, then release.
• This prevents the food from sticking to the bottom of the fryer. (Took us a while to learn that technique).
• When it comes to fish or something long or big -- I just put the first inch or 2 in and let it bubble for a few seconds so that I know it won't sink to the bottom and stick. (I truly hated that with deep frying).