Fried Fish Balls From Brussels Recipes

Steps:

• For the fish sauce caramel: Combine granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and cook, without stirring, over medium-low heat, until the mixture is nicely amber colored, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and CAREFULLY add brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice and salt; it may splatter. Stir to combine. If the mixture seizes, return to low heat and stir until fully incorporated.
• For the Brussels sprouts: Bring oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer. Trim bottoms of sprouts and halve lengthwise.
• Fry sprouts until they are crispy with some char, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
• While still hot, toss with fish sauce caramel, garnish with Garlic Chips, red chiles and fresh lime wedges.
• Bring oil to 350 degrees F.
• Thinly slice garlic cloves. Quickly fry to a light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't let them get dark brown, or they will become bitter.) Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.

Steps:

• Season fish with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook fish in the hot skillet until almost completely cooked through, turning as needed, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Transfer fish to a bowl and flake with a fork. Add mashed potatoes, green onions, egg, flour, and Creole seasoning. Mix thoroughly. Add panko, a tablespoon at a time, as needed to firm up balls. Form mixture into small balls or patties.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Deep-fry fish balls, working in batches, in the hot oil until golden brown, about 5 minutes per batch.

Steps:

• Mix the flour and salt with the oil and the beer, beating well together.
• Cover and leave in the kitchen, not the refrigerator or the cool larder, until required.
• This gives the batter a chance to ferment slightly, which improves its texture.
• Just before the batter is about to be used, beat the egg whites until stiff and fold in carefully.
• Remove any skin or bones from the cooked fish.
• Mash the boiled potatoes and mix the fish, potatoes, chopped garlic, herbs and the softened butter together.
• Add the egg yolks one at a time: the mixture should hold its shape and be neither too dry nor too liquid.
• Use only one egg yolk if this gives the right consistency, or the second egg yolk and a drop of milk if the mixture is too dry.
• Season to taste.
• Take a tablespoon of the mixture, roll between the palms of your hands, into a small ball: continue until all the mixture has been used up, flouring your hands from time to time.
• Using a fork, dip each ball in the batter and then plunge into hot fat.
• When brown and crispy, remove and serve with tomato sauce or mayonnaise.

Steps:

• To make fish balls, pound shallots, chilies, lime leaves, turmeric, lemon grass, ground coriander and pepper to a paste in a mortar and pestle, or use a food processor. Transfer to bowl.
• In food processor, blend cod and mackerel to a smooth paste. Add eggs. Gradually pulse in aromatics and coconut milk, alternating ingredients, until incorporated. Pulse in rice flour until you can form paste into a ball.
• To make sauce, whisk remaining ingredients, other than oil and panko, in a bowl.
• In a saucepan or wok, heat 3 inches oil to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, grind panko in a food processor or mortar and pestle. Using wet hands, roll fish paste into 2-inch balls. Dip balls into panko and coat evenly. Fry, turning frequently, until golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Serve with dipping sauce.