Smell That?
That's the smell of crispy seasoned fried whiting.
A rare find unless you get it frozen in the bag at your local supermarket. While I'm visiting my family in Brooklyn, I make sure to pick up a few pounds of fillet at the local seafood market and freeze them for later. If I really get the craving, I will get the frozen bag and make due.
After thawing the whiting fillets in the refrigerator overnight,
rinse them in cold water and place them in a plastic container.
Pat them dry and season them with your choice of go to seasonings:
salt
pepper
seasoning salt
garlic powder
paprika
I always sit the container back in the refrigerator until it is fry time.
Add enough vegetable oil to a frying pan or skillet until it is 1/2 full and let it heat slowly. Oil will begin to pop when it gets hot.
While oil is heating, add 1 TBSP of old bay seasoning to 2 cups of yellow corn meal.
Dip each fish fillet in the seasoned corn meal and coat both sides.
Put on some Barry White, that's what I do when I'm cooking :)
Place in hot oil 3-4 pieces at a time. Do not overcrowd.
Fry until desired crispness on both sides. (about 4 minutes)
Drain fish on paper towel.
Now...I just wanted fish. Just a nice plate of hot fish.
No ketchup. No tartar sauce. No condiments. No sides.
I ate them just like this and I was very happy.
Do You :)