| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 370 | 20g | 3g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 2g | 25g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Thai Fish Fritters with Zesty Dipping Sauce
Sweeping my tastebuds across the globe from my home kitchen in Miami, I recently found a deep appreciation for a Thai recipe that bridges the gap between my Cuban–Spanish culinary background and the exotic flavors of Southeast Asia – the delightful Fish Fritters with Zesty Dipping Sauce. I’ve always been fascinated by the harmonious dance between diverse flavors and unique ingredients, which this dish embodies perfectly.
A Culinary Journey to Thailand
Much like the satisfaction of nailing a complex dance routine, the allure of these Fish Fritters lies in the delicate balance of its many elements. A beautifully simple white fish, enveloped in a crispy golden shell, delivering a pop of flavor with every bite. But the true show-stopper? It’s the zesty dipping sauce. This perfectly balanced blend of lime juice, fish sauce, and spices takes you by the hand and dives straight into the heart of Thai cuisine, offering a scintillating taste of Asia in every bite.
Inspiration Behind The Recipe
As someone who readily embraces fresh gastronomic adventures, I was inspired to create this dish after watching a recipe by famous Thai Chef, Chef Andy Ricker, who has spent years perfecting his craft in Thailand. However, as the queen of tapas, I also couldn’t resist adding a hint of familiarity by dressing the fritters in a coat of crunchy panko bread crumbs, a nod to the standard Spanish classic recipe of tapas-style fried fish.
Apart from serving it as an appetizer or a main dish, these Fish Fritters bring pep to any potluck or party. It’s a tropical tapas delight paired splendidly with a refreshing Mojito or a chilled glass of Albariño. Following the tapas tradition, it also complements any number of other dishes. Picture a table adorned with colorful Spanish Paella, rich and creamy Garlic Shrimp, spicy Black Bean and Chorizo Empanadas, and then, there stands the star – our humble, flavour-packed Fish Fritters dancing in between.
For some of us home chefs and food lovers, it’s not just about following the exact steps of a recipe. It’s about the wholehearted joy of exploration, the freedom of improvisation, and sharing our creations with people we love. And that’s why I enjoy the Fish Fritters with Zesty Dipping Sauce recipe so much because it lets me do all of those things, effortlessly capturing the essence of two completely different cuisines dancing in perfect harmony.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 pounds of white fish fillets
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups of panko bread crumbs
- 1 quart of vegetable oil for frying
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
Method
Step One
First, place the white fish fillets on a cutting board and carefully cut them into small pieces, ideally about 1 inch in size. Sprinkle some salt over them to taste, ensuring that all pieces are sufficiently seasoned before you move to the next step.
Step Two
Place the all-purpose flour in one bowl, the beaten eggs in a second bowl, and the panko bread crumbs in a third bowl. Coat the fish pieces one at a time in the flour, then dip them in the beaten egg, and finally coat them thoroughly in the panko bread crumbs.
Step Three
In a deep fryer or large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry the breaded fish, a few pieces at a time, until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 2 to 4 minutes per batch. Once fried, remove the fish fritters from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step Four
While the fish is frying, prepare the zesty dipping sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the fresh lime juice, fish sauce, white sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Whisk together until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the chopped fresh cilantro and give it one final stir.
Step Five
Once all the fish fritters are fried and the sauce is prepared, serve the fritters while they are still hot, along with the zesty dipping sauce. Enjoy your homemade Fish Fritters with Zesty Dipping Sauce!
