A Pati Jinich Recipe
Whole Fried Snapper with Hibiscus, Epazote and Oregano
4 to 6 Servings
Huachinango Frito con Jamaica, Epazote y Orégano
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.
