Crunchy Seafood Sandwiches

FISH SANDWICH

Steps:

• Begin by gathering and prepping all of the fish sandwich ingredients according to the ingredients list above to have organized and ready for use.
• To prepare your fish, place the cod fillets into a large bowl and add in a couple of good pinches of salt and pepper, plus the paprika, granulated garlic and onion, cayenne, lemon zest and juice, and toss to coat the fish. Marinate for 10-20 minutes.
• While the fish marinates, gather and prep all of your spicy slaw ingredients according to the ingredients list above to have organized and ready for use.
• To prepare the spicy slaw dressing, in a bowl combine the mayo, garlic, sea salt (about ¼ teaspoon), a couple of pinches of black pepper, the dill, cayenne, mustard and pickle juice, and whisk to blend and thoroughly combine. Reserve 1/2 cup of this dressing to spread on the buns before assembling the sandwiches.
• Place the coleslaw mix-the shredded cabbages and carrots-into a large bowl, and add as much of the slaw dressing to the mix as desired (you may end up using all of it), thoroughly mixing the dressing into the slaw to combine. Keep cold in the fridge until ready to use.
• To bread your fish fillets, prepare your breading station by adding the flour to a medium-large bowl, next add the eggs into another bowl and whisk to blend, then add the panko to another medium-large bowl, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper (even cayenne, if desired).
• Dip each cod fillet into the flour, next into the whisked eggs, followed by a firm press into the panko breadcrumbs until well-coated. Place the breaded fillets onto a plate or platter. Repeat with remaining fillets.
• Once all are coated, heat enough peanut oil (or other high-heat oil) in a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom skillet to shallow fry (about an 1" worth), and slowly heat the oil until shimmery and hot. Add the fish fillets (working in batches of two, if necessary) into the hot oil, and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through and deeply golden-brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined wire rack. Repeat with any remaining fish fillets.
• To assemble your fish sandwiches, spread a small amount of the reserved slaw dressing/sauce onto both top and bottom buns, then add a few pickle slices (or pickle "chips") to the bottom bun. Now place a fried fish fillet over the pickles, top with a generous amount of spicy slaw, and cover with the top bun.
• Serve hot with fries or thick-cut potato chips.

CRISPY FRIED FISH SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Allow the fish to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Pat dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornmeal and baking powder. In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.
• Pour the oil to a depth of 2 ½ inches in a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to a temperature of about 375 degrees F.
• Dip each piece of fish in the egg mixture first, gently shaking off the excess, and then into the flour mixture to coat. Shake off any extra coating. Place the battered fish on a wire rack.
• Working in batches, if necessary, carefully place the fish in the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Gently turn and cook until golden on the other side, about 3 more minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-towel lined tray. Lightly salt the fillets as soon as they come out of the oil.
• Place the first batch of fish in a 200 degree F oven to keep warm while you cook the second batch.
• Serve on buttered, toasted rolls with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce.

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.

FRIED FISH SANDWICH

Steps:

• Prepare the tartar sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pickles and pickle brine, shallot, dill, capers and soy sauce. Season with salt to taste and set aside. (Makes 3/4 cup.)
• Prepare the fried fish: Heat oil in a large, straight-sided skillet over medium. Place flour, eggs and panko in 3 separate medium shallow bowls. Season flounder on both sides with salt and dredge in flour, dusting off excess, then transfer to egg wash, allow excess to drip off, then coat with panko.
• Working in batches, fry about 4 breaded fillets at a time until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack and season with salt. Repeat with remaining fish.
• Assemble the sandwiches: Spread tartar sauce on both sides of each bun. Place 1 piece of fried fish on each bottom bun, then add a slice of cheese on top and another piece of fish on the cheese. The residual heat from the fish will help melt the cheese. Sandwich together and serve immediately.