Crackling Fish Fillets Recipes

CRISPY SKIN SALMON

Steps:

• Dry skin: Pat the skin of the salmon very well with a paper towel until dry. If time permits, place the salmon skin side up in the fridge for 1 hour (uncovered,) to dry it out even more.
• Season: Drizzle flesh side with half the oil (just a tiny bit) and rub over skin. Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper. Turn fillet over and repeat. Do not do this step until just before cooking.
• Heat oil: Put enough oil in a large non stick skillet so it fully covers the base. Heat on medium high until it shimmers (but not smoking).
• Skin side down: Place salmon in the skillet skin side down, then immediately turn the head down to medium.
• Press down: Using a spatula or something similar, press down on each salmon for 10 seconds so the skin is pushed flat against the skillet and "sets" its form. If you can do at least two at a time that is ideal.
• Cook 7 minutes: Cook for 7 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked 3/4 of the way through (you will see the colour changing up the side of the salmon) and the skin is crispy.
• 90 sec on flesh side: Flip the salmon to skin side is up and cook for a further 90 seconds.
• Final skin blast! (My secret tip) Flip the salmon again to skin side down, turn the heat up to medium high and cook the skin side again for 60 seconds, just to give it a final blast of heat to reinforce crispiness!
• Serve skin side UP to protect the crispy skin. Fish skin will only stay crispy while it's hot, so serve immediately! Pictured in post with creamy Lemon & Herb Risotto which acts as a side dish and semi-sauce (super easy no-stir recipe!).

CRACKLING FISH TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all the tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl, using salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Rinse the fish under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch pieces and put in a bowl with the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Turn the fish to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes or up to 4 hours.
• Place the flour in a shallow dish and toss the fish pieces in it, a few at a time, until evenly coated. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. (To see if it's hot enough, place a small piece of bread in the oil; it should sizzle immediately.) Carefully add a few pieces of fish at a time, shaking off excess flour before placing them in the oil. Fry until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla and warm for 10 to 20 seconds on each side. Place on a plate and cover with a kitchen towel; repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Spread a dollop of the chipotle tartar sauce on a warmed tortilla. Add a few pieces of cucumber and top with 3 or 4 pieces of fish, a few arugula and cilantro leaves and a little orange zest. Serve with lime wedges and more tartar sauce on the side.

HERBED TROUT FILLETS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler, or grill.
• In a medium mixing bowl combine lemon juice, Essence, garlic, parsley, chives and oregano. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange fillets skin sides down in an oiled shallow baking dish. Brush fish with vinaigrette.
• Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

MISS BROWN'S FISH FILLET SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the tartar sauce: Mix together the mayonnaise, relish, capers, dill, lemon juice, salt, pepper, sugar and onion in a bowl and refrigerate.
• For the fish: Sprinkle the lemon juice over the fish fillets. Combine the milk, eggs, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Put the flour on a large plate. Combine the panko and seafood seasoning on another.
• Heat 2 inches oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven.
• One at a time, dip the fish into the flour, then the egg and milk mixture, then the panko. Set on another plate or small baking sheet. Place the fish in the oil and fry, turning once, for 3 to 4 minutes total (if you are using the shallow-frying method, cook both sides until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes). Transfer the fish with tongs to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack set in a baking sheet. (I like to hit my fish with a little salt and lemon juice while it's hot.)
• Meanwhile, toast the buns, by melting the butter in a pan and cooking them in it or by buttering the buns and broiling them until slightly golden.
• Top the bun bottoms with the cheese and the fish, then spread the bun tops with tartar sauce and top your sandwiches.

BAKED FISH FILLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease a shallow 1-quart baking dish. Melt shortening in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and pepper; saute until golden. Stir in flour, brown sugar, marjoram, salt, thyme, and pepper until smooth. Very gradually stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sauce has thickened. Arrange fish in baking dish; top with sauce. Place on rimmed baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

SWEET AND SOUR FISH FILLETS

Steps:

• Bring a wok or large pot filled halfway with water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Divide the fish between 2 plates that will fit into the basket layers of a bamboo steamer. Sprinkle the fish with sea salt and freshly ground white pepper. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the pineapple juice over each plate of fish. Place the plates into the steamer, cover and set on top of the simmering water. Steam the fish until the flesh turns white and pulls apart easily, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the steamer basket from the wok and set aside, keeping the fish covered.
• For the sauce: Place a wok over high heat and when the wok is hot, add the oil. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, less than 1 minute. Add the red peppers and onions and toss to cook until tender, another minute. Add the pineapple chunks and their juice. Add the vinegar, soy sauce and brown sugar. Cook until the sauce thickens a bit 1 to 2 more minutes.
• Remove the fish to a platter. Season the sauce if needed and pour over the fish. Garnish with the sliced scallion.

CRACKLING FISH FILLETS

Steps:

• Brush a nonstick skillet with olive oil. Dip fish in flour and shake off excess. Heat skillet until hot. Add fish and saute, without moving, until it just sets and turns a bit golden, 1 to 2 minutes. With a spatula, flip the fish over to the other side and cook until the fish is firm and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove fish to dinner plates Add water lemon juice and zest to skillet and increase the heat to medium high. Scrape up browned bits on bottom of pan and boil until syrupy about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from the heat and swirl in butter and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and spoon over fish. Serve with steamed sugar snap peas or other vegetable. French bread on the side would be lovely.