Pan Fried Smelt Recipes

Steps:

• Whisk together flour and salt in a pie plate. Dredge smelt in flour mixture, coating both the outside and cavity of the fish.
• Heat oil in a frying pan 1/4-inch deep over medium heat until hot. Place fish in the hot oil; fry until crisp and firm, 2 to 3 minutes each side. Remove fish with a slotted spoon; drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Steps:

• Clean smelt and wash thoroughly. Combine cornmeal, flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dip smelt in water and then coat with flour mixture. Lay coated smelt on waxed paper and allow to set for 15-30 minutes. Coat the bottom of a heavy skillet with oil. Fry smelt in hot oil for 4 minutes on each side. Smelt should be nicely browned. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sliced lemon.

Steps:

• Place flour in gallon or quart size storage bag add fish shake to coat.
• Mix egg and milk together and dip fish to coat. Then reflour the fish.
• In a large hot pan add frying oil or Crisco to cover bottom of pan, heat oil then place fish in till browned on one side flip and brown. About 2 minutes.
• Remove to paper towel or brown paper to drain oil season generously with salt and pepper and garnish if desired with lemon.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• In a large plastic bag, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Add half the smelt, close the bag securely, and shake well to coat the fish with the flour mixture.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated smelt, with out crowding, and fry 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until the cooked fish are golden brown and opaque throughout (cut into one to check for doneness). Place the smelt on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.
• Repeat the procedure with the remaining flour mixture, smelt, and 2 tablespoons canola oil. When all the smelt are cooked, decrease the heat to medium, squeeze 4 of the lemon wedges into the oil remaining in the pan, and scrape up any cooked bits of fish or batter left in the skillet. Add butter and cook until melted, stirring well.
• Divide the smelt among individual plates and drizzle the lemon butter over the fish. Serve immediately, garnishing the fish with remaining lemon wedges.