| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 367 | 10g | 2g | 40g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 5g | 31g | 1.6g |
Why I Love Indonesian Fried Snapper
As someone who hails from the heartland with roots deep into comfort food, no culinary journey has amused me as the Indonesian cuisine. The prominent use of spices and the blast of flavours have always been intriguing, particularly, the Indonesian Fried Snapper. It’s not something my Nebraskan kitchen would typically see, but it’s a delightful twist that marries my love for heartland cooking with the exotic allure of Asian flavours.
A Recipe Inspired by Chefs
I was actually inspired by the renowned Indonesian chef William Wongso, who’s known for his mastery in Indonesian cuisine. The way he balances flavors and textures is an art form I respect greatly. Admittedly, our styles of cooking are worlds apart, but having a point of inspiration outside my usual culinary landscape led me to create this wholesome, slightly spicy fried snapper.
Fried Snapper: Similarities and Pairing Possibilities
Once you break it down, Indonesian Fried Snapper checks many of the same boxes as American dishes loved far and wide. The use of garlic, pepper, and salt harks back to the basics of my Midwestern roots. Indeed, the dish brings to mind our local fish fries, although the Indonesian twist and use of turmeric adds that extra depth of flavour.
As for pairings, the rich, tangy flavor of the snapper works beautifully with traditional Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice) or sayur urap (mixed vegetables with grated coconut). But if you’d like to keep it close to home, it pairs equally well with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or even some good old-fashioned cornbread.
Bringing a Taste of Indonesia to the Heartland
So why do I love this Indonesian Fried Snapper recipe? It’s a blend of familiarity and discovery, a culinary adventure that marries the comfort of well-loved ingredients with a fresh, new taste. It’s evidence of food’s incredible potential to cross borders and bring people closer together. And, of course, it’s pretty delicious too.
Isn’t that the beauty of cooking? In the confines of our kitchens, we can embark on a journey anywhere, with this recipe taking you straight to the vibrant streets of Indonesia. So yes, the world is a diner, and we – its happy patrons, enjoying meals from far and wide, right at our dinner tables. What a delight!
What You’ll Need
- 6 medium size snapper fillets
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons white pepper powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rice flour
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 6 pieces of banana leaves, for serving (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
Method
Step One
First, wash the snapper fillets thoroughly under cold running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Ensure that no moisture remains as this will affect the frying process.
Step Two
In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, turmeric powder, white pepper powder, salt, and lime juice. This will form the marinade for the snapper. Mix all ingredients properly.
Step Three
Place the snapper fillets in the marinade, ensuring that all parts of the fish are well coated. Allow the fillets to marinate for at least 30 minutes to imbibe the flavors. You could also leave them to marinate overnight in the refrigerator for better results.
Step Four
Combine the all-purpose flour and rice flour in a separate bowl. Take the marinated fillets and coat them with this flour mixture. Make sure each fillet is evenly covered, shaking off excess flour.
Step Five
Heat a sufficient amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot enough, carefully slide in the flour-coated snapper fillets. Fry the fish until it turns golden brown on each side.
Step Six
Once the fillets are ready, remove them from the frying pan using a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on kitchen paper towels to ensure that the fish isn’t oily.
Step Seven
If you have banana leaves, place the fried snapper on the leaves for serving. Finally, serve the fried snapper with lime wedges on the side. Encourage your guests to squeeze the lime over the fish just before eating to enhance the flavors.
