Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for small fish fry. This recipe works well with small fish like smelt, anchovies, or whitebait.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound small fish (cleaned and gutted)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal (optional, for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 lemon (cut into wedges)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
Instructions:
- Prep the Fish:
- Rinse the cleaned fish under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal (if using), salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Coat the Fish:
- Dredge the fish in the flour mixture, ensuring each fish is well-coated. Shake off any excess coating.
- Heat the Oil:
- In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to submerge the fish.
- Fry the Fish:
- Carefully place the coated fish into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Fry for about 2-4 minutes, or until the fish are golden brown and crispy. The exact time will depend on the size and type of fish.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fish from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve:
- Transfer the fried fish to a serving platter. Garnish with lemon wedges and chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Tips:
- For added flavor, you can marinate the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 10-15 minutes before coating and frying.
- If you prefer, you can also use a pre-made fish fry seasoning mix.
- Serve with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or a simple squeeze of lemon juice.
Enjoy your crispy, delicious small fish fry!