Charales Fried Smelts Recipe

Marinate the Smelts

In a large bowl, combine the cleaned and scaled smelt fish with lime juice and Tajin seasoning. Toss well to ensure the fish are evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the Breading Station

In one shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. In a second dish, combine the cornmeal, salt, and black pepper. In a third dish, beat the eggs.

Bread the Fish

Remove the marinated smelts from the refrigerator. Dredge each fish in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the cornmeal mixture. Ensure each fish is well coated.

Heat the Oil

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You can test if the oil is ready by dropping a small amount of the cornmeal mixture into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.

Fry the Fish

Carefully place the breaded smelts into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the fried smelts and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Serve

Serve the fried smelts hot, garnished with additional lime wedges and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning for extra flavor.