Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish

Ingredients

• 2 elephant ear fish fillets (300g / 10.5oz) 2 elephant ear fish fillets (300g / 10.5oz)
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) cold water 1 cup (240ml) cold water
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Fresh herbs (such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil), for garnish Fresh herbs (such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil), for garnish
• Pickled vegetables, for serving Pickled vegetables, for serving
• Dipping sauce (such as nuoc cham or sweet chili sauce), for serving Dipping sauce (such as nuoc cham or sweet chili sauce), for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, turmeric powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the cold water to the dry ingredients, whisking until a smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F).
4. 4.
   Dip each fish fillet into the batter, ensuring it is evenly coated.
5. 5.
   Carefully place the coated fish fillets into the hot oil and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. 6.
   Remove the fried fish from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
7. 7.
   Serve the Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a dipping sauce of your choice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Elephant ear fish — Ensure the fish fillets are fresh and free from any unpleasant odor. If elephant ear fish is not available, you can substitute it with other white fish varieties such as tilapia or catfish.
• Turmeric powder — Turmeric adds a vibrant yellow color to the batter and a subtle earthy flavor. Be cautious while handling turmeric as it can stain surfaces and clothing.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy texture, you can double-coat the fish fillets by dipping them in the batter twice before frying.
• Serve the Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish immediately after frying to maintain its crispiness.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your favorite flavor combination.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish as a main course accompanied by steamed rice or vermicelli noodles. Arrange the fresh herbs and pickled vegetables on a platter for guests to customize their own bites.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish fillets on a serving platter, garnished with a generous amount of fresh herbs. Place the pickled vegetables in small bowls alongside the fish. Serve the dipping sauce in a separate bowl for guests to drizzle over their fish.