Fish Recipes

Pan Fried Crispy Whole Fish

I got a fresh Tilapia and initially thought of grilling it, but since my recent blog posts have been all about grilling and barbecue, I decided to go for a delicious pan-fried version with double marination instead.

Don’t let the term double marination intimidate you. It simply means marinating the fish twice: first, by rubbing it with a spice mixture, and second, by coating it with all-purpose flour (or wheat flour for a healthier version). I used all-purpose flour because it gives the fish a perfectly crispy texture.

Tips for Preparing the Fish

Always ensure the fish is properly washed and cleaned.
Make deep, close gashes over the fish to allow the marinade to penetrate the inner flesh.
If the gashes are too few, the marinade won’t spread evenly inside the fish.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Ingredients

Whole cleaned Tilapia – 1 big
Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Kashmiri chilli powder – 2 teaspoons
Pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Ginger garlic paste – 1 teaspoon
Lemon juice – 1/2 teaspoon
All-purpose flour – 2 teaspoons
Salt – to taste
Oil – for frying

Method of Preparation

Clean the fish thoroughly under running water.
Make several deep gashes close to each other using a sharp knife.
Prepare the first marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine turmeric powder, Kashmiri chili powder, ginger garlic paste, pepper powder, lemon juice, and salt.
Rub the marinade evenly over the fish and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Coat the marinated fish with all-purpose flour and wait until the flour becomes moist.
Heat oil in a non-stick pan on low to medium heat.
Place the fish in the pan and let it cook on one side until it naturally detaches from the pan.
Flip the fish carefully and cook the other side until golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the pan and transfer to a serving plate.
Serve hot with fresh salads and special rice.