Basic Deep Fried Fish Whole Recipes

CHINESE DEEP-FRIED FISH WITH SPICY BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the head from the fish (or have your fishmonger do this) and cut the fish into 2-inch thick steaks. Put the rice flour on a plate and season it well with salt and pepper; dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour, shaking off any excess.
• In a deep pot or a wok large enough to hold the fish, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully put in the fish and deep-fry until it is browned, crisp, and cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the fish pieces and drain them on paper towels; place them onto a platter.
• Carefully drain all but 3 tablespoons of oil from the wok. Stir-fry the scallions, ginger, garlic, and chiles for about 2 minutes. Add the black beans and fry for another minute. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water making sure to get out all the lumps. Pour this slurry into the black bean mixture (it will thicken immediately) and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish pieces, garnish with cilantro leaves, and serve.

PESCADO FRITO (FRIED RED SNAPPER)

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo: Combine all the adobo ingredients and grind them together in a large pilón or mortar and pestle, or simply mix them together in a small bowl.
• Prepare the fish: Make three shallow crosswise cuts on both sides of the surface of the fish skin, then place it in a deep container with a lid or a large resealable bag. Pour adobo over, rubbing it into the skin, head and cavity. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or 2 to 3 hours in the fridge. If marinating longer, let the fish come to room temperature 30 minutes before frying.
• In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot large enough to submerge your fish, pour in enough oil to reach a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat over high until oil is simmering and reaches 350 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• Once the oil comes to temperature, pick the marinated fish up by the tail, shake off excess marinade, and lower it head-first into simmering oil. Use a pair of tongs to gently nudge the fish to prevent it from sticking to the pot. It'll be very active at first, so have a splatter shield handy, if you've got one.
• Using a heat-safe ladle, baste any unsubmerged fish with hot oil repeatedly, ensuring fish cooks evenly. Fry until it turns golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully and removing immediately if it starts to get dark.
• Using an extra-long fish spatula, or a set of heatproof tongs and a heatproof spatula, carefully lift the fish out of the oil and transfer it to the lined baking sheet.
• Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with lime wedges, hot sauce and cilantro.

BASIC DEEP-FRIED FISH, WHOLE

Steps:

• 1. Have fish cleaned and scaled, but left whole. Wash then dry well with paper toweling. Score on each side with 3 diagonal slashes. Rub lightly with salt. 2. Cover fish with any of the Basic Deep-Fried Fish, Whole: Coatings. 3. Heat oil. (Use enough to cover fish completely.) Add fish and deep-fry until done, 8 to 15 minutes, depending on size. (Allow about 1 minute on each side over high heat, about 4 minutes on each side over medium heat, and about 1 minute on each side over high heat again.) Drain on paper toweling. 4. Serve hot with a sweet-and-pungent or Five Willow Sauce, a soy sauce dip or pepper-salt mix (see Seasonings and Sauces).The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.

DEEP FRIED FISH

Steps:

• Half-fill a deep pan with melted fat or oil. Heat until a faint haze rises from it (or until a bread cube sinks to the bottom of the pan, rises to the top immediately and turns golden in 50 seconds).
• Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
• Beat to a smooth batter, unbeaten egg, butter and milk. Then add the flour and salt mixture.
• Coat 2 pieces of fish with batter.
• Lift into the pan with a fork or kitchen tongs.
• Fry until crisp and golden, allowing about 6-8 minutes for large pieces and 4-5 minutes for medium.
• Remove from the pan and drain on absorbent kitchen paper.
• Repeat with the remaining fish.
• Garnish with lemon wedges.