Claribel Recipes
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FRIED FISH
Dominican Fried Fish is a simple yet flavorful dish consisting of a whole fish fried to a crispy perfection. Learn how to prepare this Caribbean delight in the style of Boca Chica Beach, highlighting the use of Claribel Oregano and Claribel Sazon with Pepper to enhance its flavor.
Fried fish is a dish that can be enjoyed in almost any place in the Dominican Republic, especially at the beach, like in Boca Chica. It is an essential part of a beach day and a very popular meal. For this fish recipe, it is important to get fresh, high-quality fish.
RECOMMENDATIONS – THE BEST FISH FOR FRYING
When choosing the best fish for frying, it is important to consider individual preferences, as each
person has their favorite type of fish with its own flavor profile. Here are some popular options in
order of preference:
-Tilapia -Collirrubia -Chillo- Red Snapper -Redfish -Trout -Grouper
Using a whole fish is recommended to fully enjoy it, but it can also be used in pieces.
INGREDIENTS
6 small groupers or snappers (approximately 1/2 lb [0.23 kg] each), scaled and cleaned
1/2 teaspoon of Claribel Dominican Sazon
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of Claribel oregano, dried and ground
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon of coarse salt, and a little more for serving
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
4 cups of oil for frying
2 lemons, cut into wedges
NOTES AND TIPS
When frying fish, it is important to choose the right type of oil. The frying oil should have a high smoke point to prevent it from breaking down and releasing harmful chemicals into the food, as well as to preserve its flavor profile. The best oils for frying fish, widely used in our country, are peanut oil, canola oil, and corn oil.
HOW TO SERVE
Dominican Fried Fish can be accompanied by delicious side dishes such as tostones (of course!), fried sweet potatoes, fried cassava, or yaniqueques. It is usually not served with sauces. If you want to enjoy a complete Dominican meal, I suggest frying fish fillets and serving them alongside white rice, Dominican salad, and Dominican beans. Additional lemon wedges will add the perfect touch to the Fried Fish.
Enjoy this delicious Dominican specialty!
STEP-BY-STEP PREPARATION
PREPARING THE FISH
If you’re fortunate enough to get fresh fish, the first step is to make sure it is well cleaned. This involves gutting the fish and removing the scales. You can ask your fishmonger to do it for you or buy it at the supermarket, where they might do it for you, or you can do it yourself at home.
Once the fish is cleaned, rinse it and pat it dry with paper towels.
1- Make 3 diagonal cuts on both sides of each fish.
2- Season each fish by rubbing a little Claribel pepper, Claribel oregano, garlic, and a pinch of salt
into each cut. Make sure the seasonings penetrate the cuts well. Use Claribel Dominican Sazon to give it a special flavor.
3- Coat each fish with cornstarch.
4- In a deep pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat (176°C [350°F]).
5- Fry the fish one at a time until they acquire a golden color on both sides.
6- Once fried, remove the fish from the oil and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7- Squeeze some lemon juice over the fried fish to enhance its flavor.
8- Serve the Fried Fish with tostones or white rice. You can also accompany it with additional lemon wedges for a final touch.