CRISPY FISH WITH SWEET-AND-SOUR SAUCE

Crispy Fish with Sweet-and-Sour Sauce image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound sea bass fillets, cut into 3/4-inch-wide slices
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup all purpose flour
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 cup pineapple juice
6 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 red bell pepper, cut into matchstick-size strips
4 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)

Steps:

Toss fish pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch in medium bowl to coat. Mix flour, 3 tablespoons oil, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in small bowl. gradually add water, whisking until batter is smooth. Pour batter over fish and stir to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch, pineapple juice, sugar, vinegar, hot pepper sauce and 1/8 teaspoon salt in small bowl to blend. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger and lemon peel and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bell pepper and stir-fry just to heat through, about 30 seconds. Add pineapple juice mixture and cook until sauce is thick and clear, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
Heat 4 cups oil in wok or deep medium saucepan to 375°F. Add batter-coated fish pieces to oil in batches and fry until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer fish to paper towel-lined dish and drain. Reheat oil if necessary between batches.
Arrange fish on platter. Reheat sauce briefly, spoon over fish and serve.