Crispy fried red mullet with lemon and parsley — a Mediterranean recipe

Ingredients

For 4 servings:

• 8 fresh red mullets (about 100–120 g each), cleaned
• 100 g flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (optional)
• Olive or sunflower oil for frying
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation

1. Rinse the red mullets under cold water and dry well with kitchen paper. Salt and pepper them inside and out.
2. On a flat plate, mix the flour with the salt, pepper and sweet paprika.
3. Coat each red mullet in flour, shaking off the excess — the layer should be thin so the frying turns out crispy.
4. In a wide pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat (around 170–180°C). The oil is ready when a pinch of flour dropped in sizzles immediately.
5. Fry the red mullets 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan — fry in two batches if needed.
6. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper to drain excess oil. Salt lightly while still hot.
7. Arrange on a warm plate, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon slices.

Prep time: 15 minutes. Frying time: about 15 minutes. Total: about 30 minutes. Servings: 4.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC0 — “Triglie – Wiki Loves Sicilia”.