Maybe I was thinking about the shrimp po’boy I had last month while visiting friends and family in Washington, DC, or memories of the food in New Orleans six months ago, but for whatever measure, last night I was craving a fried fish sandwich. With that rarely specific craving in mind, I stopped at my favorite Astoria grocery on the way home to pick up ingredients for the quick meal. To my surprise, breaded, heat-and-serve tilapia was the same price ($3.99/lb) as frozen/fresh, but I decided to do the seasoning work myself. After scurrying through the store for some accompaniments, I made out with the fish, a whole chicken for a later meal, lettuce, tomato, fresh bread, and scallions for $14. Yeah, that all works out to about $2/meal or less.
Fish Fry
Fried Fish Sandwich
Heat about a half-inch of vegetable oil on medium-high in a medium frying pan. On a plate, mix together equal parts flour and breadcrumbs with pepper and the seasoning of your choice. (I used Tony Cachere’s Original Creole). Wash the fish and dredge in the flour mixture making sure to coat it completely. Carefully add some of the fish to the pan. Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will drop the temperature of the oil and prevent crispness. Stay near the fish, be mindful of the temperature, and flip after a few minutes to crisp both sides evenly. When golden brown, remove from the pan to a paper-towel-lined plate and continue to cook the remaining fish.
Serve the fish on a toasted roll with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onion. I had it with french fries seasoned with more Tony Cachere’s. YUM!
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I’m trying to think if it was pumpkin soup my friend made one Halloween at a dinner party while we were in high school – amazing. It was either squash or pumpkin – lots of pumpkin in the meal including roasted pumpkin seeds – but i know the soup was orange-ish – and AMAZING! This should be next on your list – (if you appreciate the pumpkin that is – and then you can carve it! wish I was there. Mwah)
mmm, yes. I had pumpkin and apple soup last week at the Fall for Dance lounge. It was excellent! Definitely coming to my blog soon.