Beer Battered Smelt Recipes

PAN-FRIED SMELTS

Steps:

• Rinse the smelts thoroughly and pat dry. Place the bread crumbs, salt and pepper into a large resealable bag and shake to combine. Place the lemon juice into a shallow dish. Dip the smelts into the juice and then place in the bag with the dry mixture and shake until the fish are well coated. You can coat 2 to 3 fish at a time, depending on their size.
• Place enough peanut oil into a 12-inch cast iron skillet just to cover the bottom of the pan. Place over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the smelts to the pan, 4 to 5 at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until lightly browned and cooked through.

CRISP FRIED SMELT - SMELTS

Steps:

• Place flour in gallon or quart size storage bag add fish shake to coat.
• Mix egg and milk together and dip fish to coat. Then reflour the fish.
• In a large hot pan add frying oil or Crisco to cover bottom of pan, heat oil then place fish in till browned on one side flip and brown. About 2 minutes.
• Remove to paper towel or brown paper to drain oil season generously with salt and pepper and garnish if desired with lemon.

BEER-BATTERED FISH

Steps:

• In a wide 6-quart pot fitted with a deep-fat thermometer, heat oil to 350 degrees over medium-high. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and baking powder. Slowly add beer and whisk batter until smooth. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place near stove.
• Pat fish dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt. In two batches, dip fish into batter (gently shaking off excess) and place in oil. Fry fish, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown and crisp, about 7 minutes per batch (adjust heat as necessary to maintain 350 degrees throughout frying).
• With a slotted spoon or mesh strainer, transfer fish to prepared sheet to drain. Keep warm while cooking second batch. Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

BEER BATTER

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl add flour, egg, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir in 1 cup beer (you can add more than one cup to obtain your desired texture).

BEER BATTERED SMELT

Steps:

• Beat eggs until fluffy.
• Add beer and 1 tsp salt.
• In separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, seasonings and remaining salt.
• Dip fillets first into liquid batter then into dry mixture, and back into liquid batter.
• Fry in butter until light brown and fish flakes with a fork.

TEMPURA-BATTERED SMELT

Steps:

• Whisk rice wine and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Lightly dust smelt with about 1 tablespoon flour. Add smelt to rice wine mixture; cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large wok to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Mix ice water, 1/2 cup flour, cornstarch, egg yolks, sesame seeds, sesame oil, baking powder, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a bowl.
• Remove smelt from rice wine mixture and dip, 1 at a time, into the flour mixture until evenly coated. Discard remaining rice wine mixture.
• Carefully fry smelt, 2 or 3 at a time, in the hot oil until golden on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel-lined plates. Repeat frying with remaining smelt. Serve warm.