One of our favorite shops had wild fresh snapper on sale this week and so, like all good shoppers, some of it went into our cart yesterday. While we could have poached the darn stuff and saved significant calories, why bother I say and so after the big guy took his trusty needle nosed pliers and removed some bones, we dipped the fish in flour, sloshed it in an egg wash and dredged the 4 gorgeous filets in panko crumbs. The big guy fried 'em for 3 minutes a side in about a quarter inch of oil.
Isn't that a beautiful "thang".
If you've yet to cook with panko crumbs believe me once you've tried 'em, you'll never go back to regular bread crumbs. You can find panko in the Asian section of your local supermarket or in specialty markets like the Lee Lee's we have here in Tucson. We have the Japanese to thank for this invention with the crumbs made from bread sans crusts. It provides a fool proof crispy coating no matter how hard you try and screw it up.
As for the potatoes - take one very hot oven, a couple of russet potatoes, a little olive oil, a dusting of steak seasoning, (I used Durkee brand) and finished with smidge of freshly grated parmesan cheese and you've got bliss on a plate. I swear.
Just so you know, as I'm sitting here writing to you it is a mere 4:00 am on a Sunday morning. We had a storm move into our fair city at 1:30 this morning and Georgie thought it rather appropriate that she be the one to announce its arrival as she cried and made a huge racket at the screen door wanting in. The wind and rain meant she refused to settle down ...after all she is an outdoor cat, so she had to check to make sure her back yard was secure several times over the next 3 hours. We finally kicked her out for good a little while ago and as I look out the window this very moment, it is snowing big fluffy flakes. I just ran to the back yard to see if she's got her first snowman built yet. Believe me, she's working on it.
Such culinary excellence deserves a haiku:
Fresh Fish, deboned right
Dredged in Panko perfection
Kissed by oil bubbles
Posted by: Tom @ Tall Clover Farm | 02/27/2011 at 09:50 AM
A storm. And then snow! Isn't the weather crazy.
Posted by: pam | 02/27/2011 at 10:43 AM
Tom - you have such a way with words.
Pam - yup and now the sun's out. Crazy! OK and since I left this message there's been hail too. If I didn't know better, this could be springtime in Alberta.
Posted by: June | 02/27/2011 at 12:01 PM
I love fried fish and french fries - and those look lovely - and done right - like you did - perfectly healthy! Love Tom's Haiku!!!!
Poor Georgie - she knew it was some weird kinda weather going on last night! Bet Max just slept right through it all like the good pup - along with the big guy!
Posted by: Nanan | 02/27/2011 at 04:41 PM
You're right the Maxer "dawg" slept like a log until Georgie moved over and put her little paws around his neck and started nibbling his ear. I really am talking about the cat here. The big guy was the one with the tender heart and very patiently kept letting the little fur ball in and out the door and escorting her to the bed. It wasn't what you'd call a restful night. Ha.
Posted by: June | 02/27/2011 at 04:50 PM