Moms Fried Fish Food

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 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.

NOT MY MOM'S FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Place beaten eggs and saltine cracker crumbs in separate shallow bowls or pie tins.
• Dip fillets into eggs, then coat with crumbs; let stand for 5 minutes.
• In a heavy, deep skillet, or electric frying pan, heat oil (about 3/4 to 1 inch of oil) to 375°. Fry fillets, a few at a time, for 2 minutes on each side or until fish is golden brown and flakes easily (I found that when the fish is golden brown it's DONE).
• Drain on a rack over paper towels. If you're making lots of fish place the rack in a 225° oven while you're cooking the remaining batches.

FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Add beer and stir. Let rest for 10 minutes. Dredge fish through mixture.
• Preheat a deep-fryer or a deep pot filled halfway with oil to 350 degrees F. Gently immerse the fish in the oil, making sure it is fully submerged and deep-fry until it is golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes, turning to ensure even browning.

MOM'S THAI FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium high heat.
• While pan is warming, toss the cold rice with your hands, making sure to separate the grains from any clumps.
• Add the garlic to the heated wok, and toss until fragrant and slightly golden.
• Add chicken, beef, or pork and stir fry for about 1 minute.
• Push the meat and garlic up the sides making a well in the middle and add eggs.
• Scramble eggs for 1 minute in middle of pan then, add green onions and peas and incorporate all ingredients together, stir frying for another minute.
• Add rice, turning over rice with pan ingredients several times to coat and stir frying for 2-3 minutes. You want the rice to begin to have a toasted smell, making sure that all the ingredients are constantly being moved around the pan for even cooking.
• If your pan seems to have cooled down to the point where the ingredients are no longer sizzling, you may need to turn the heat up slightly.
• Sprinkle in the sugar and add the fish sauce and oyster sauce.
• Stir fry all ingredients together for one minute more or until sauces are absorbed and mixture is completely combined. Transfer to serving platter.
• Garnish plate edge with sliced cucumber, lime wedges, and additional whole green onions if desired.