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Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Jeff Schiller] #6278872 06/09/11 02:27 PM
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Sandwich Maker Offline
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Originally Posted By: Jeff Schiller
I know people get all caught up in how they cook their fish but I use the KISS method - Keep It Simple Stupid.

My fillets are generally frozen and thawed before frying up. They stay in a cold water bath - usually the thawed/frozen water. If for some reason, I'm cooking fish just caught, I will rinse them really good with very cold water.

My coating is yellow corn meal, salt & pepper. Put that mixture in a ziploc baggie (been doing it that way for years) or one of those shaker basket things from BPS if you wanna be fancy). That's it. Take your wet fillets and coat them with the corn meal mixture. Drop them in peanut oil that is slightly over 350 degrees. Slightly over because the cold fillets will cool it off a little. Careful going over 350 degrees with cooking oils.

When they float, they are done. Break one open to confirm.

My other coating mixture and method is:
corn meal, salt, pepper & crushed red pepper (purchased at asian food markets - don't know why this is better. It just is.)
I fill up a bowl with sriracha hot sauce and run my fillets through that to drench them in the hot sauce. Then I coat them with the pepper/corn meal mixture. Cook in the oil. This is a spicy fish.

I do at least 1 300+ fillet fish fry every year and have never had a complaint....yet.
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Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Sandwich Maker] #6279005 06/09/11 02:57 PM
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asudavew Offline
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I find the texture to be mushy too.

And I use a deep fryer set on 350...

I always think they are mushy and so does everyone else.
But white bass cooked the same way are never mushy.


Just my opinion everyone.
No flames please.

But I will definitely try frying at a little higher temperature, and I'll skip the egg wash.

Darn.. after reading Jeff's post I'm hungry for some fried fish!


Just call me Dave.

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Johnny's Ole Ugly Slabs



Re: mushy crappie? [Re: asudavew] #6279073 06/09/11 03:12 PM
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Jeff Schiller Offline
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You might check your oil temp with a regular thermometer if you're just trusting the fryers thermometer. Never know when that might be a little off.

Remember that oils have smoke and flash points (temps) that vary by oil. The good thing about peanut oil - other than it's a clear tasting oil to me - is that it has a higher smoke and flash point. You can get away with a little bit higher temp.

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Jeff Schiller] #6279095 06/09/11 03:16 PM
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Ken Gaby Offline
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As was said earlier; thawing fish in hot water is a sure way to get the meat mushy. Also, the meat of crappie caught in summer time hot water is not quite as firm as those caught in winter time. Those that suggested putting them on ice instead of the live well are right on.


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Re: mushy crappie? [Re: asudavew] #6279102 06/09/11 03:18 PM
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I dry out my fillets with paper towels completely before battering them. You would think it wouldn't stick as well, but I think it does better and your not frying any extra moisture to separate the cornmeal from the fish. Let a match float on your oil. When it ignites, the oil is ready to cook.


Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Jacob] #6279209 06/09/11 03:45 PM
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Flwrldy Offline
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Drop a popcorn kernal in the oil and if it pops, the oil is ready.

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Flwrldy] #6279683 06/09/11 05:34 PM
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OIL AINT HOT ENOUGH.


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Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Jacob] #6279717 06/09/11 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: Jacob645
I dry out my fillets with paper towels completely before battering them. You would think it wouldn't stick as well, but I think it does better and your not frying any extra moisture to separate the cornmeal from the fish. Let a match float on your oil. When it ignites, the oil is ready to cook.


Only way to do it in my book.

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: pugman] #6279872 06/09/11 06:23 PM
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I don't know if good bad or otherwise, but I've always frozen my filets in slightly salty water and then thawed them slowly and have always had good results in 350 degree peanut oil...

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Flwrldy] #6279886 06/09/11 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: Flwrldy
Drop a popcorn kernal in the oil and if it pops, the oil is ready.


Haha! I hope no one on here is stupid enough to actually do that!!!

Last edited by dbzell; 06/09/11 06:25 PM.
Re: mushy crappie? [Re: dbzell] #6279910 06/09/11 06:30 PM
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Jeff Schiller Offline
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Originally Posted By: dbzell
Originally Posted By: Flwrldy
Drop a popcorn kernal in the oil and if it pops, the oil is ready.


Haha! I hope no one on here is stupid enough to actually do that!!!


Funny.

They make these new things now called thermometers. They will actually tell you the real temperature of the oil. Run you a few bucks. Might even be able to find one at the dollar store for $5. grin

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Jeff Schiller] #6280043 06/09/11 07:05 PM
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You should never thaw meat in hot water. Fridge is best but cold water is faster and then microwave if you're in a real hurry(not recomended, plan ahead :P). Like almost all meat, you want it room temperature to cook. Hot water will do nothing better than what I listed but could have negative affects on the meat. Bacteria growth, starting to cook the meat, etc.


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Re: mushy crappie? [Re: Frenzy] #6280582 06/09/11 09:11 PM
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ok, I agree with the other poster crappie are a little more mushy by nature than sandies or bass. I like crappie fine but I always felt this was the case.

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: dbzell] #6280792 06/09/11 09:58 PM
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in a pinch, fish can be thawed in a microwave, but on minimal power, so they inner fish can be warmed by the outer while it is in the rest cycle. not perfect, but who can control when the necessity to have a fish fry will occur? i blackened some last night and it was to die for.

Re: mushy crappie? [Re: dragonsdaddy] #6281746 06/10/11 02:49 AM
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If you are frying whole (larger) filets they will come out mushy to me. I cut them into "fingers" and they always seem to fry up better.



PB Wht. Crappie 2.48 lbs 02-12-2011
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