Beer Battered Smelt Recipe ๐บ๐
Overview:
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this delightful Beer Battered Smelt recipe! Perfect for a quick lunch or snack, this Canadian-inspired dish is not only high in protein but also incredibly healthy and kid-friendly. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes of your time, you can whip up a batch of these crispy, golden-brown smelt fillets that are bound to impress even the pickiest eaters. Let’s dive into the recipe and get cooking!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups smelt
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup beer
- 1 tsp salt (divided)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beat eggs until fluffy. ๐ฅ๐ณ |
| 2 | Add beer and 1 tsp salt to the beaten eggs. ๐บ๐ง |
| 3 | In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and the remaining salt. Mix well. ๐ฒ๐ฅ |
| 4 | Dip smelt fillets first into the liquid batter, then into the dry mixture, and back into the liquid batter for a double coating. ๐๐ถ |
| 5 | Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. ๐ณ๐ฅ |
| 6 | Fry the coated smelt fillets in the skillet until they are light brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. ๐ด๐ |
| 7 | Once cooked, remove the smelt from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. ๐งป๐ฝ๏ธ |
| 8 | Serve hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal. Enjoy! ๐ฅ๐ฝ๏ธ |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 469
- Fat: 11.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 362.9mg
- Sodium: 1397.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 25.8g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 59.1g
Recipe Notes:
- Smelt can typically be found in the frozen seafood section of most grocery stores. If unavailable, you can substitute with another small fish variety.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy coating on the smelt fillets. You can test this by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil โ if it sizzles and floats to the surface, it’s ready for frying.
- For a lighter alternative, you can bake the battered smelt in the oven at 400ยฐF (200ยฐC) for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Experiment with different seasonings and spices in the dry mixture to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to maintain crispiness.
With its crunchy exterior and tender, flavorful interior, this Beer Battered Smelt recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your household. Whether served as a quick snack, a main dish, or even as an appetizer at your next potluck, these irresistible smelt fillets are guaranteed to please!
