Pescado frito (fried red snapper) is a classic dish in many Latin American countries. It is a simple yet delicious dish made with fresh red snapper, seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs, and fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy, flaky fish with a tender, flavorful interior. Pescado frito is often served with a side of rice, beans, and a spicy sauce, and is a popular dish for special occasions and everyday meals alike.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PESCADO FRITO (FRIED RED SNAPPER)
Fishing is an extraordinarily complex issue in Puerto Rico. Much of the seafood eaten doesn't come from the island's own waters, in part because of arcane legislation that controls fishing rights. And yet, whole deep-fried fish is a staple on the island, particularly along the west and southwest coast. There, you'll find red snapper, simply marinated in adobo, fried and served with tostones, avocado salad and white rice. It is, in my opinion, the absolute best way to enjoy a whole fish. The frying turns the head and the tail into a crunchy fish chicharrón, and the skin and flesh cook evenly, keeping the flesh moist and the skin crisp. While bones are often a concern for those uncomfortable eating whole fish, there's a simple solution: Eat it with your hands. Your fingers will do a much better job of finding bones than your fork will, and the experience is more visceral, and delicious.
Provided by Von Diaz
Categories dinner, quick, seafood, main course
Time 15m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
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
This is a recipe that I came up with one night after finding some red snapper in the freezer. It can also be done with catfish, flounder, perch, or pretty much any white fish. Remember that the thinner the fillet, the shorter the cook time.
Provided by toddmaloney
Categories Seafood Fish Catfish
Time 19m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.2 calories, Carbohydrate 4.6 g, Cholesterol 56.9 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 2069.1 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
Tips:
- To ensure the fish is crispy, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying. A good way to test this is to drop a small piece of bread into the oil. If it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the fish. This will cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy fish.
- Fry the fish in batches if necessary, and make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Smaller pieces of fish will cook faster than larger pieces.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Season the fish with salt and pepper, or your favorite seasonings, before frying.
- Serve the fish immediately with your favorite sides, such as tartar sauce, lemon wedges, or french fries.
Conclusion:
Pescado frito, or fried red snapper, is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are serving it as a main course or an appetizer, this dish is sure to impress your guests. With its crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh, pescado frito is a dish that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a simple and delicious seafood recipe, give pescado frito a try. You won't be disappointed!
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