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What Is Deep-Fried Fish?
Deep-fried fish is a popular dish in several parts of the world, including the United States, Japan, and England. It is described as fish that has been coated in breading or batter and then immersed in oil until the outside is golden brown and the fish is cooked through. This dish is commonly prepared with mildly-flavored fish of both fresh and saltwater varieties, which can be coated in either a dry or wet batter. Once cooked, the fish may be served as-is or topped with a sauce.
Although any type of fish can technically be deep fried, the preferred varieties for this dish are generally mild in flavor yet firm in texture. Saltwater fish such as cod and halibut are some of the most popular, especially in Asia, Europe, and North America, for deep-fried fish dishes. Bass and tilapia are also often cooked in this manner, and are some of the most popular freshwater fish used. Among other common freshwater fish for deep frying are crappie and walleye.
Nearly as important as the type of seafood used for deep-fried fish is in what it is coated. Dry coatings, which are made by dredging the fish in flour, egg, and then a seasoned outer coating, are one of the most popular for deep-fried fish. The outer coating can be made from nearly any type of breadcrumb, corn meal, or even plain flour. Other common ingredients included in a dry coating are potato flakes, hard grated cheese, and numerous spices and dried herbs. This type of breading provides a thin, even coating for the fish, and is usually slightly crisp once cooked.
Wet batters are also popular for deep-fried fish as they generally provide a crunchier exterior. For a wet batter, several dry ingredients similar to those used in a dry batter are mixed together, and then a slow stream of liquid, oftentimes beer or club soda, is whisked in until a batter forms. To cause the coating to expand, a small amount of baking soda can be added, which causes the batter to puff up around the fish when it is exposed to hot oil.
Deep-fried fish is commonly served with a sauce or other seasonings. Lemon juice squeezed over the top is one of the most popular, and those in the United States often use tartar sauce, which is a combination of mayonnaise or dressing, relish, and other seasonings. In Japan, tentsuyu sauce is popular, which is made from a mix of soy sauce, rice wine, and cooking stock. In England, where deep-fried fish is served as a platter known as fish and chips, malt vinegar is often the desired seasoning after frying.
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![Deep-fried fish can be part of fish and chips.]()
By: Joe GoughDeep-fried fish can be part of fish and chips. -
![Breadcrumbs may be used as a coating for deep-fried fish.]()
By: VidadyBreadcrumbs may be used as a coating for deep-fried fish. -
![Mild-flavored fish are commonly used when cooking with a deep fryier.]()
By: Bombaert PatrickMild-flavored fish are commonly used when cooking with a deep fryier. -
![When deep-frying fish, most cooks start with a highly seasoned flour batter.]()
By: al62When deep-frying fish, most cooks start with a highly seasoned flour batter. -
![Walleyes, crappies, and other freshwater fish are sometimes cooked with a deep-fried crust.]()
By: Evgeniy DrogozhilovWalleyes, crappies, and other freshwater fish are sometimes cooked with a deep-fried crust.
Discussion Comments
@Animandel - You are right about deep fried fish. I have a coworker who started a fish diet to help control her diabetes. Fish is good at combating the effects of this disease. She discovered a local restaurant that made really great fish and she would eat there each day for lunch.
She told her doctor about her new diet thinking he would be pleased. However, many of the meals she was eating were meals with fried fish, so the doctor told her that she had to cut out the fried fish completely because it was not helping her. Actually, for the greatest health benefits you should cook fish as little as possible.
@Laotionne - Once you deep fry a food I think the benefits of the food are all but lost. As a rule, no food is good for you once it has been deep fried. The batters like mentioned in this article are not healthy, and then the deep frying on top of this makes the fish even less likely to hold on to any of its good qualities.
Honestly, if you have to deep fry the fish to eat it then you are better off just eating some baked chicken and calling it a day.
I know fish is good for me, but I still seldom eat it. I'm not crazy about the taste of fish. Maybe deep frying the fish would help me eat more of it. Is it still healthy when it is deep fried?
No trip to England is complete until you have had at least one serving of fish and chips. I eat fish several times a week at home, but I prefer the fish broiled or baked. I think fish is much healthier for me when it is prepared in these ways. My family on the other hand, are not overly excited by my fish recipes.
However, my children love the deep fried fish and chips we get in England. I think my children could eat this combination for every meal, and as I said, they don't usually like fish. It's true what they say about deep frying making anything taste better I guess.
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