Southwestern Fried Perch Food

FRIED PERCH RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oil in the fryer to 375°. Line a plate or platter with wax paper then set aside. This same plate will be lined with paper towel for the fried fish.
• If the fish filets are connected like a 'butterfly', cut in half so you have two filets then rinse and dry fish using a paper towel.
• Prepare a breading station: Bowl #1 whisk the egg and water together. Bowl #2: add the cracker meal.
• Working with one filet at a time, dip in the egg wash letting any excess drip back into the bowl then dredge lightly in the cracker meal then set on a plate repeating until all the fish is coated.
• Gently place the fish in the preheated oil adding as many as the fryer will hold. Cook 2-3 minutes watching closely until the desired golden color.
• As you remove the fish from the deep fryer, let the oil drain in the basket for a couple of seconds then transfer to the paper towel lined plate and serve right away.

SOUTHWESTERN FRIED PERCH

Steps:

• Place taco seasoning in a large resealable bag; add perch fillets, one at a time, and shake to coat. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg. Combine cornmeal and flour in another shallow bowl. Dip fillets in egg, then coat with cornmeal mixture. Place in a single layer on a plate; refrigerate for 15 minutes. , In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Fry fillets for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

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).

BAKED BUTTER HERB PERCH FILLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pour butter into a shallow dish. Combine cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, salt, and garlic powder in a separate shallow bowl.
• Dip perch fillets into melted butter and press into the seasoned cracker crumbs to coat. Arrange coated fillets on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the coating is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork, 25 to 30 minutes.

FRIED PERCH

Steps:

• Heat skillet fryer with hot oil.
• Mix flour, cornmeal, beer, salt pepper and seasonings until a batter consistency.
• Coat filets with batter.
• Deep fry til golden brown. Approx 3 minutes per side.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute pepper and onion 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute., Stir in rice, spices and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook, covered, until heated through.