Choose Dried Golden Threadfin Fish
When buying dried golden threadfin fish, you need to choose carefully because this fish is easily confused with dried silver threadfin fish or dried croaker fish. The other two types of fish are tougher and less flavorful than golden threadfin fish.
Delicious golden threadfin fish is diamond-shaped with a gray or grayish color on the back. You will see two yellow threads on the back edges, while the back edge is silver-gray. When you flip the fish’s belly, you will see a slightly red-brown color inside, while the outer edge is a light yellow color.
You can hold the fish and try tearing it by hand. Good fish has firm and chewy flesh that does not feel tender when torn.
Dried Golden Threadfin Fish with distinctive two yellow lines on the back.
Usually, dried threadfin fish are dried in close-packed rows, so the finished product is often a stack of fish sticking together as a block.
If you see a fish with a circular shape, you should not buy it because it may be dried silver threadfin fish. Also, do not buy fish that is too dark brown. This type is often marinated with many spices to cover up the fishy smell before being dried in the sun. If you see the fish sticky and tear it to find it rotten, do not buy it.
Grilled Dried Golden Threadfin Fish
The most common way to cook dried golden threadfin fish is grilling. Grilled golden threadfin fish has a fragrant aroma that attracts many people. However, because the edge of the fish is relatively thin, if not grilled skillfully, the outside can easily burn and the fish meat becomes dry and tough.
To grill dried golden threadfin fish, you need to separate each fish. Place the fish on the grill tray and then spray or pour a little white wine or beer on top. The wine/beer will help eliminate the fishy odor and tenderize the fish meat.
Add a little wine or beer to the fish before grilling to make it tender and more fragrant.
After that, you can start grilling the fish. You can use charcoal or a gas stove to grill the fish. When grilling directly over the flame, you need to adjust the flame regularly and flip the fish to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
Due to the thinness of the golden threadfin fish, it cooks quickly. When you see the fish’s skin puffed up and evenly golden, and the flesh releases a bit of fat, you can take the fish out.
In addition, you can bake dried golden threadfin fish in an oven, microwave, or air fryer to cook it.
Fried Dried Golden Threadfin Fish
Dried golden threadfin fish can also be fried. Most people wait for the oil to heat up before putting the fish in the pan. However, due to the thinness of the fish, when you put it into the hot oil, the high temperature will make the fish lose moisture and become dry and hard, easily burnt.
Therefore, it is better to put the oil and fish in the pan at the same time. Just a small amount of oil is enough. Then, use a spatula to evenly coat the fish with oil. Turn on the stove and set the heat to medium to let the oil heat up. The fish will cook slowly. When you see the fish slightly curve, quickly flip the remaining side and fry until the skin puffs up, the fish turns golden, and it has a fragrant smell, then take it out. You can place the fish on absorbent paper to remove excess oil before laying it on a plate.
