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4.8 from 51 votes

Chinese Salt and Pepper Fish

The quality of your ingredients matters here more than the specifics: If you don't like cilantro, use parsley, and any fresh hot chile will work - or leave it out. And use whatever nice, fresh fish you can find. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 312 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • Oil for frying (I use peanut oil)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons sliced fresh garlic
BATTER
  • 1/2 cup Flour, cake flour if you have it
  • 1/2 cup corn or potato starch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 egg whites
FISH
  • 1 1/2 pounds fish, cut into chunks
  • 1 heaping tablespoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 3 small hot chiles, like serranos, Thai or cayenne. sliced thin (optional)
  • Cilantro or parsley for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat up enough oil to deep fry the fish, about 3 to 4 cups, depending on what sort of pot or wok you use. 
  2. While the oil is heating, make the batter. Mix the flour, starch, baking soda and salt together in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg whites into soft peaks. Add about 1/2 cup of ice-cold water (or cold seltzer) into the flour bowl, then fold in the egg whites. 
  3. Fry the ginger and garlic until the garlic just starts to brown, about 45 seconds. Use a skimmer or slotted spoon to remove it to a paper towel. Set it aside for now. 
  4. When to oil hits about 360F, coat a few pieces of the fish in the batter and deep fry them until golden brown, about 2 minutes. As they are frying, turn your oven to "warm" and set a cooling rack with a baking sheet underneath it for your fish. Move the finished fish to the rack and continue frying the rest. 
  5. When all the fish is ready, toss it with the salt and pepper, the reserved ginger and garlic, and the sliced chiles. Serve garnished with the cilantro. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 312kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 85mg (28%) Sodium 690mg (29%) Potassium 806mg (23%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 44mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 312

% Daily Value*

Calories 312kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 690mg 29%
Potassium 806mg 17%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 44mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.