Firire — whole or cut fried fish

🐟 Golden fried sea fish, served simply with lemon and a fresh side.

Ingredients

• 🐟 4 small mullets or sea fish, about 800 g total, gutted and scaled
• 🍋 1 lemon, juice and wedges kept separate
• 🌾 60 g wheat flour for a light coating, optional
• 🧂 4 g fine salt, reduce if the fish was already salted
• ⚫ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 🫗 About 700 ml neutral oil, or enough for shallow frying
• 🍅 2 ripe tomatoes and 1 small red onion for a fresh salad
• 🥒 1 medium cucumber, optional
• 🌶️ Fresh chilli or chilli sauce, served separately
• 🍚 Cooked rice or bread to serve, not included in the nutrition estimate

Preparation

🐟 Check that the fish is fresh and keep it chilled until preparation. Rinse briefly and pat completely dry. Make two or three shallow slashes on each side of whole fish. For portions, choose pieces of similar size so they cook evenly.

🍋 Mix the juice of half the lemon with salt and pepper. Rub lightly over the fish, including the slashes, then rest it for 10 minutes in the refrigerator. Do not leave it at room temperature.

🧺 Meanwhile, wash the tomatoes and cucumber. Cut them with a clean knife and board, slice the onion, then cover and chill the salad. Pat the fish dry once more before coating it.

🌾 Spread the flour on a plate and turn the fish in it just before cooking. Shake off the excess: a thin layer makes a light crust, while a thick layer absorbs more oil.

🔥 Heat the oil in a deep, stable pan, never filling it more than halfway. A pinch of flour should sizzle gently; if it darkens immediately, lower the heat. Never leave hot oil unattended.

🍳 Fry the fish in small batches for about 4–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Turn with tongs rather than piercing it, and adjust the heat so the skin browns without burning. Thinner pieces cook faster.

🌡️ Check the thickest section near the bone without touching it: the flesh should reach 63 °C, turn opaque and separate easily. Continue briefly if needed instead of relying only on the outside colour.

🧻 Drain on a clean rack or paper towel without stacking. Rest for a few minutes and serve at once with salad, lemon wedges, rice or bread, and chilli on the side. Check carefully for bones. ♨️