Crisp Swimming Fish 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.

CRISPY FISH SANDWICH

Steps:

• Combine onion, pickles, and pickle brine in a small bowl.
• Mix mayonnaise, dill, hot sauce, pepper, 2 tsp. lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt in another small bowl.
• Place eggs, panko, and flour in 3 separate shallow medium bowls. Season each fish fillet with 1/2 tsp. salt. Working one at a time, dredge fish in flour, shaking off excess. Coat evenly with egg, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Coat with panko, pressing to adhere. Transfer fish to a plate.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook fish until breading is golden brown and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer fish to a paper towel-lined plate. Season fillets with 1/2 tsp. salt total.
• Spread 1 heaping Tbsp. mayonnaise mixture on one side of each slice of bread. Pile each bottom slice with 3/4 cup lettuce, 1 fish fillet, a small handful of potato chips, and 1/4 cup onion mixture. Close sandwich with second slice of bread, mayo side down, and push down lightly to crush potato chips. Transfer to a platter. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Serve with lemon wedges and more potato chips alongside.
• Do Ahead: Pickled onions and dill sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

CRISP GRILLED FISH

Steps:

• Set up grill for direct cooking and heat to medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Season fish with salt and pepper, then brush both sides with oil. Cook, uncovered, 3 minutes. Flip and cook until just opaque in center, 3 minutes more. Top with flavored butter to serve.

BEA'S FISH CRISP

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
• Coat fish fillets on both sides.
• Deep fry and enjoy.

CHILE-CRISP FISH PACKETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the shallot, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and the sugar in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare everything else.
• Combine 2 tablespoons of the cilantro, the ginger, garlic, chile crisp, honey and fish sauce in another small bowl and stir into a thick paste.
• Lay out 2 pieces of aluminum foil, each large enough to enclose a fish fillet in a packet, and place a fillet in the center of each. Sprinkle the fillets with the oil and season both lightly with salt all over. Coat both fillets with the chile crisp paste, making sure to cover all sides. Fold each piece of foil to enclose the fish, ensuring each is airtight. Place the packets on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes; when you open the packets, the fish should be opaque all the way through.
• Unwrap the fillets and serve each topped with quick-pickled shallots and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro.