Easy and Simple Fried Fish
A healthy and delicious fried fish dish needs fresh ingredients and fresh spices. Last week I had to continually remind myself that I needed to eat more seafood not only because of Lent season but because fish is healthy and better for us. I usually buy fresh fish when I can because I love the taste of fresh fish.
So what does fresh fish needs? Fresh spices and lemon! And not to forget a good hot sauce.
A Simple and Easy Fried Fish recipe may not sound healthy because of the word fried, but you have to remember that many fish do not retain most of the oil when fried.
Although the word is sometimes scary for many people, fried may not necessarily mean bad. In my opinion, fried foods should be eaten in moderation and should be prepared with the right type of oil.
I don’t usually eat fried foods, but I made an exception with this recipe because I was craving it. For anyone who knows me well, cleaning is not something that I enjoy doing. I prefer cooking! Can’t you tell by now! 🙂
I know after cooking I need to clean my kitchen; therefore I avoid creating unnecessary messes that I will have to clean. So frying is not something I frequently do.
Fried Fish on PlateWhen cooking or frying fish, herbs and spices are two essential elements that are necessary to make an easy and rewarding dish that my family and I will enjoy. It does not matter how many times I go through my cookbooks or search the internet for a different fish recipe; the best ones are always made with fresh herbs and lemon. I’d rather eat fresh fish ten thousand times than frozen fish. There is nothing better than fresh fish.
I would love to live by the water, go fishing, catch my food, etc.… Wait! Who am I kidding? I cannot swim. I can splash!!! 🙂 Going fishing? I don’t think so. I have many scenes from the Jaws trilogy encrypted in my brain. No thank you; fishing is not for me!
Before getting ready to make a fish dish, I usually know that the amount of seafood I purchase will depend on how I plan to prepare it. Whether I choose to buy a whole fish, fish fillets or fish steaks, the consumption amount is different. Let me share a few tips with you. An adult can consume an 8 – 16 oz. Fish whereas only 5 – 7 ounces are recommended for fish fillets and 6 – 8 ounces fish steaks. Incredible, right!
As far as ingredients, do you know when you clean fish or seafood with lemon or lime your dish will taste better? I believe in cleaning meat, poultry, and seafood and do so many people. In the Caribbean and many Latin countries, lemon, lime or vinegar is not only used in cooking but to clean meat and seafood as well.
A lemon or lime is usually cut in half and is used to rub the meat or seafood while squeezing the juice out. Vinegar, another option is typically used to clean meat and seafood as well.
A good mixture of spices is also essential as mentioned earlier. You will notice that I added my Original Gourmet Hot Sauce at the end of the dish. It is not part of the fish marinade because I want it to be an option.
When you add hot sauce to the seasoning, the fish will be a bit hot and spicy and quite delicious. This method is for people who love tasty food. Adding it to the sauce makes a lot of difference. You have the choice of adding a lot or very little sauce. This way you control the heat.
I think I have share enough, so here is an easy and simple way to fry fish, the Caribbean style.
Enjoy,
Easy and Simple Fried Fish
Ingredients
- 1 – 1.5 pounds whole fish snapper preferably
- 1 lemon/lime or vinegar to clean
- For the marinade
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
- 2 – 3 whole cloves
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Original Hot and Spicy with Herbs Sauce
- 2 – 3 tablespoons water
- Flour
- Oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup shallots chopped
- 1 garlic minced
- 1 scallion finely sliced
- ¼ cup lemon juice or white vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hot pepper optional
Instructions
- Clean the fish with lemon, lime or vinegar. Cut in half or smaller pieces if preferred. Rinse and pat dry, squeezing slightly to remove excess water and set aside in a bowl. In a small bowl, mix ingredients for marinade. Stir in marinade with fish, cover and let marinate for at least 1 - 2 hours.
- Remove the fish from marinade and shake excess liquid.
- Place flour in shallow plate and heat oil in pan.
- Once oil is hot, coat fish pieces in flour and gently set coated fish into hot oil and fry 5 minutes on each side until medium golden brown in color. When the fish is evenly golden all over, remove and drain on paper towel.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil; add shallots, garlic, scallion and let cook for about 1 minute. Add lemon juice or vinegar; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce if using. Let mixture gently simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. Serve hot with fried fish.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
