Pescado Frito Fried Red Snapper Recipes

PESCADO FRITO (FRIED RED SNAPPER)

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo: Combine all the adobo ingredients and grind them together in a large pilón or mortar and pestle, or simply mix them together in a small bowl.
• Prepare the fish: Make three shallow crosswise cuts on both sides of the surface of the fish skin, then place it in a deep container with a lid or a large resealable bag. Pour adobo over, rubbing it into the skin, head and cavity. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or 2 to 3 hours in the fridge. If marinating longer, let the fish come to room temperature 30 minutes before frying.
• In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot large enough to submerge your fish, pour in enough oil to reach a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat over high until oil is simmering and reaches 350 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• Once the oil comes to temperature, pick the marinated fish up by the tail, shake off excess marinade, and lower it head-first into simmering oil. Use a pair of tongs to gently nudge the fish to prevent it from sticking to the pot. It'll be very active at first, so have a splatter shield handy, if you've got one.
• Using a heat-safe ladle, baste any unsubmerged fish with hot oil repeatedly, ensuring fish cooks evenly. Fry until it turns golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully and removing immediately if it starts to get dark.
• Using an extra-long fish spatula, or a set of heatproof tongs and a heatproof spatula, carefully lift the fish out of the oil and transfer it to the lined baking sheet.
• Let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with lime wedges, hot sauce and cilantro.

FRIED RED SNAPPER IN SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix the cornstarch and flour together. Season the snapper with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and dredge in the flour mixture. Fill a deep pot halfway full with oil. Heat oil to 350 degrees F, and fry fish until golden, toss directly into hot sauce, and serve.
• Put a small saucepan over medium heat, add oil, onions, and ginger. Saute for 2 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and duck sauce. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, add water to desired consistency if sauce is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.

FRIED WHOLE RED SNAPPER WITH SPICY CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix the fish sauce, water, chile garlic sauce, the lime juice, and sugar together in a small pan and bring to a boil.
• Fill a large heavy saute pan with 1-inch of oil and heat for 5 minutes until hot, but not smoking.
• Make 2 diagonal cuts on each side of the fish for ease of cooking. Salt, pepper, and flour both sides of the fish. Fish should be dry, as to not splatter oil when frying. Lower fish into oil, the oil should bubble vigorously. Cook 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Check cuts on fish for doneness.
• When fish is almost cooked, heat up sauce and stir in cornstarch mixture while sauce is boiling. Sauce should be slightly thick, but not lumpy. Remove fish from oil and slightly dry with paper towels. Add scallions to the sauce and pour over fish to cover. Serve with steamed rice.

PAN-FRIED BLACKENED RED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Mix paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl.
• Combine olive oil and butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave until butter is melted, about 1 minute. Stir to blend butter into the oil.
• Brush some of the olive oil and butter mixture over both sides of each red snapper fillet. Sprinkle paprika mixture over both sides of each fillet.
• Heat leftover oil and butter mixture in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry red snapper until flesh flakes easily with a fork, 4 to 5 minutes per side.