Whole Crispy Branzino

Directions

Step 1: Make the Shaoxing marinade

• In a large bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, shallots, lemongrass, Thai chilis, Shaoxing wine, fish sauce, honey, and rice wine vinegar.
• Let marinate for a minimum of one hour before use.

Step 2: Prep the fish

• Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the fins and tail off of the fish. The fish scraps can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days and made into make a fish stock.
• Use a chef’s knife or fillet knife to cut ⅓ inch deep down both sides of the vertebrae. Starting one side of the fish one inch away from and parallel to the gills, make 4 to 5 diagonal slices into the flesh, cutting all the way to the ribs and spacing the slices 2 inches apart. Repeat with the other side.
• Place the branzino in a large baking dish. Use a pastry brush to liberally brush the Shaoxing marinade inside the cavity, into the cuts, and onto the skin. Season each area with a few pinches of salt and a few twists of fresh cracked pepper. Drain the excess marinade and place fish onto a new baking tray.

Step 3: Fry the fish

• Heat 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil to 350-360°F. Place a sheet tray with a wire rack or lined with paper towels next to your frying station so you can easily remove the fish from the wok after frying.
• Combine the cornstarch and rice flour. Sift over both sides of the fish with a small hand strainer. Make sure all the fish is covered with flour, including the cuts to ensure a crispy crust. The drier the fish is the more even fry it will produce. Shake off any excess flour, then stand the fish up on its belly pulling the belly flaps outward. If the fish falls over, make a longer cut from the belly to create a wider base and help the fish stand up easily in the wok.
• Set the center of the fish (where it holds the most weight) onto a spider and carefully place into the hot oil. The oil should froth and sizzle. The temperature of the oil will drop once the fish in in so increase the heat to medium-high to bring it back up to a sizzle. Shallow fry the fish until deep golden brown and very crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. As it cooks, ladle hot oil over any exposed part of the fish to ensure even cooking. You will see the cuts you made open up away from the spine and turn golden brown. Once the flesh no longer looks opaque it is done cooking. Remember that the cooking process will continue even after the fish is out of the oil because of the heat trapped in the flesh.
• Carefully remove the fish from the oil, Use one hand to grab the tail (if it is too hot use tongs or a towel), lift the tail end of the fish slightly, and slide the spider under the belly. Lift the fish and carefully set on the wire rack over a sheet pan to drain. Season immediately with salt. Turn off the heat, let the oil cool down, and reserve in a mason jar or dispose.

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