Fish is a nutritious food source and a favorite among many due to its health benefits. There are various ways to cook fish, such as grilling, frying, steaming, and stir-frying, with the latter being a popular choice.
However, not everyone knows the tricks to achieving a perfectly fried fish with a crispy, golden exterior without breaking it or causing oil splatter during the cooking process. For a flawless fried fish dish, consider the following tips.
Prepare the Fish
To ensure your fried fish tastes delicious, begin by cleaning it as soon as you purchase it. This process involves scaling, removing the gills, intestines, and the black membrane inside the belly of the fish. This thorough cleaning helps reduce any fishy odor.
Next, rinse the fish with salted water, rice washing water, or ginger wine to eliminate slime and neutralize the fishy smell. Before frying, use a cloth to pat the fish dry, absorbing any remaining water to prevent oil splatter during cooking.
Use Flour in the Pan
To prevent the fish from sticking to the pan and causing oil splatter, add a spoonful of flour to the hot oil and stir to distribute the flour evenly. This technique will alleviate your concerns about the fish adhering firmly to the pan’s surface or causing oil splatter.
Coat the Fish with a Thin Layer of Flour
A clever trick to achieving a crispy, golden, and unbroken exterior without oil splatter is to coat the fish with a thin layer of flour before frying. Be mindful to apply only a light coating to avoid altering the dish’s flavor. In addition to flour, you can also utilize bread crumbs, cornstarch, or potato starch from your pantry.
Add Salt to the Cooking Oil
Alongside the aforementioned methods, you can also employ salt to enhance the appeal of your fried fish. Firstly, pour a sufficient amount of oil into the pan and heat it. Once the oil is hot, add a pinch of salt and stir until it dissolves. When the salt has completely dissolved, carefully place the fish in the pan and fry until crispy.
Use Ginger
An effective tip to prevent the fish from sticking to the pan is to use ginger to create a non-stick barrier. Cut a thick slice of ginger and rub it evenly across the pan’s surface. Subsequently, pour in the oil and wait for it to heat up before adding the fish for frying. This method will keep the fish from sticking and maintain its attractive appearance.
Avoid Frequent Turning of the Fish
To guarantee a crispy underside, maintain a moderate heat level. If the heat is too high, the exterior may burn quickly while the inside remains undercooked. Allow the underside to turn golden and crispy before flipping the fish.
Premature flipping may cause the fish to break due to the surface not being sturdy enough. As the fish nears doneness, you can increase the heat to achieve a crispier exterior. Once the fish is cooked to your desired level, remove it from the oil and place it on a paper towel to absorb excess oil for a few minutes before serving it hot.
The Secret Ingredient to a Perfectly Fried Fish: Achieving a Golden, Crispy Exterior with a Mouthwatering Aroma
To fry or not to fry, that is the question that plagues many home cooks when it comes to frying fish. The fear of their delicate fish fillets falling apart or sticking stubbornly to the pan is all too real. But fret not, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can conquer this culinary conundrum and fry fish like a pro.