Best Fried Smelt Recipes

FRIED SMELT

Steps:

• We usually buy the fish with the heads already removed. Wash them and pat dry. Place a cup or so of flour along with some salt and pepper for taste into the paper bag. Now here comes a fork in the road: in my family, we would throw the smelt in the bag and shake them up until they were covered in flour; my wife prefers dipping the fish in a batter of milk and egg prio to mixing with the flour-your choice. Take a cast iron skillet and add olive oil, along with some garlic and red pepper flakes adding to your taste. (We use a cast iron skillet, but can be replaced with frying pan or deep fryer.) Add the fish to the heated oil and cook until browned on each side. They cook quickly. When finished, drain the oil and place the fish on a paper towel on whatever serving platter you choose (catch the excess oil). Then eat 'em whole! If you like fish, you'll love smelt.

PAN FRIED SMELT

Steps:

• Clean smelt and wash thoroughly. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dip smelt in water and then coat with flour mixture. Lay coated smelt on waxed paper and allow to set for 15-30 minutes. Coat the bottom of a heavy skillet with oil. Fry smelt in hot oil for 4 minutes on each side. Smelt should be nicely browned. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sliced lemon.

PORT WASHINGTON FRIED SMELT

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, 1 1/4 cups water and beer in a large bowl until smooth; add more water, if needed, to make a thin batter.
• Combine crackers and cornmeal in a pie plate.
• Heat oven to 200°.
• Heat oil in a heavy, deep saucepan over medium-high heat until temperature reads 375°.
• Dip smelt a few at a time into beer batter, allowing excess to drip off; roll lightly in cracker mixture.
• Add smelts to hot oil in batches; cook, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned on all sides, about 3 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and keep warm in oven while frying the remaining smelt.
• Serve hot.

RUSS'S FRIED SMELT

Steps:

• Dip the prepared fish into salt and pepper seasoned melted butter, then into cornmeal, and deep fry until golden brown.

DEEP FRIED SMELT

Steps:

• Mix above ingredients. Heat fat to 375 degrees in deep fryer. Coat smelt with flour, then dip into batter to coat completely. Deep fry for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Can use other meats or vegetables.