Whole Fried Snapper with Hibiscus, Epazote and Oregano
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Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers chopped
- 1/4 cup dried epazote leaves
- 1/4 cup dried oregano
- 2 to 3 chiles de arbol stemmed, toasted and chopped
- 1 cup tablespoon all-purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon to coat the fish
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt divided, more to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Zest of 1 lime
- Zest of 1 orange
- Vegetable oil for frying fish
- 4 to 6 whole mojarras (or 2-3 pounds red snapper) opened and cleaned up
- Juice of 2 limes
- Juice of 2 oranges
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions white and light green parts
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves and upper part of the stems
- Corn tortillas to serve
To Prepare
- To make the hibiscus powder: In a food processor, add the chopped hibiscus flowers, dried epazote, dried oregano, chiles de arbol, 1 tablespoon flour, 2 teaspoons of the salt and the black pepper. Pulse until completely ground. Incorporate the lime and orange zest, pulse again until mixed. Set aside.
- Fill a large heavy cast iron pan or casserole halfway with oil set over medium heat to preheat.
- Meanwhile, spread 1 cup of flour on a baking sheet. Rinse the fish and pat dry very well. Using a sharp knife, make 3 to 4 diagonal slices into both sides of the fish, going into the skin and meat, but stopping at the bones. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the hibiscus powder and set aside. Use the remaining hibiscus powder to season inside of the slices and over the fish. Then, one by one, place the seasoned fish on the baking sheet and pat them with the flour, giving them a light coat.
- Test the oil with a small piece of fish to make sure that it will actively bubble around the fish. Then, one by one or two by two, without crowding the pan, drop in the fish and fry for 6 to 8 minutes per side, making sure that it is completely cooked – the meat should flake with a fork.
- Transfer to a cooling rack or a cutting board covered with paper towel. Once you are done with all the fish, and they have drained, place on a large platter.
- To make the hibiscus citrus chunky, chunky sauce: Combine the 3 reserved tablespoons of hibiscus powder, the lime juice, orange juice, and ½ teaspoon of the salt in a small mixing bowl. Stir and add the scallions and cilantro, mix well. Taste and add more salt if need be.
- Serve the fish along with the hibiscus citrus chunky, chunky sauce and warm corn tortillas.
Comments
24comments inWhole Fried Snapper with Hibiscus, Epazote and Oregano
Allan Jibben
Feb 17
I’m very interested in your recipes. I have noticed that when I want to print up a recipe there isn’t a picture of the recipe. Why? Thank you for your time and reply.
Allan Jibben
Pati Jinich
Feb 27
Thanks for your message Allan, I have received a lot of message about adding pictures to the recipe print outs, let me see what we can do 🙂
Magda
Feb 16
Gracias por la receta Pati! Mi familia y yo disfrutamos muchísimo el pescado, la combinación de Jamaica y epazote es increíble 🙌🏻
Pati Jinich
Feb 27
Me encanta saber que les haya gustado Magda, un abrazo a toda la familia!
Marissa Hansel
May 05
First time watching this channel
Thanks
Pati Jinich
May 13
Welcome Marissa!
Leslee Sinclair
Apr 30
Epazote avail in Atlanta in any of the Buford Hwy markets. First had in the mounts of Vera Cruz on roasted sweet corn. Also find Hibiscus there. Y’all come.
Pati Jinich
May 07
Yay, I love epazote!
Marisa
Dec 04
I’m thinking I’ll cook this for Christmas, my husband is not found of flying protein, I’m sure we will love it!!!
Pati Jinich
Dec 28
Let me know if you cooked it and if your husband approved! 😉
Neesia
May 16
Hi Pati!
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve made this for my mom two days in a row and she says it’s the best red snapper she has had in her life! 😅
In fact, I love all of your recipes that I have tried (especially the crab cakes, caldo de oso , pickled grape salad, and Oaxacan chicken). Your food is never lacking in any flavor! 👌🏾 I can’t wait to try more.
Sending all the best (from Atlanta),
Neesia
Pati Jinich
May 23
Thanks so much Neesia! So glad your mom enjoyed the snapper, yay! Moms always know, right? Greetings to Atlanta 🙂
Mary
May 03
Dolores: I’ll be looking for epazote at the the White Plains Farmer’s Market (Wednesdays). I think Westchester Farms carries it.
Jannki
Mar 06
I am growing mine. It’s small but gradually growing. I use it in my beans.
Dolores
May 04
Is there another name for epazote leaves? I am Puerto Rican and I have never heard of these. I live in Westchester County, New York . Love your Program!
Pati Jinich
May 04
Hola Dolores! Epazote The herb is one deeply Mexican ingredient that has no substitute that I know of. It has a very unique, clear and deep flavor that adds a lot of character to a dish. Hard to describe, it has that I don’t know what, that somehow makes a distinct difference.
Dolores Escobar-Kaplowitz
May 06
Thanks for response, se puede encontrar en NYC? I Dont live in the city, I
Live in Larchmont, NY., but was raised in NYC.
Pati Jinich
May 11
It is available in most Latin or Hispanic Markets. Might also be a good idea if they sell dried epazote online 😉
Joseph
Jan 20
hello Pati ….very interesting recipe. but a tip .slice half inc deep down back fin both sides grab fin and remove do same on anal fin ,,,therefore no tiny fin bones ta mess with , will also cook faster and seasonings have another area to permeate.
Pati Jinich
Jan 21
Thanks for the tip, Joseph.
Bob
Jan 26
Where is a good place to order these spices? Living in North Carolina and there is no! Source for Mexican spices of food. At Xmas I had to order corn husks for my tamales nobody stocked them here!!
Pati
Jan 30
Oh there are lots of great places online like Melissa’s Produce. Enjoy the fish, Bob!
PatiFan
Oct 27
Were the scales removed from the fish?
Pati
Oct 30
Yep! You want a whole, cleaned fish, so de-scaled and everything.