Description
Indulge in the delightful crunch of Fritto Misto, a classic Italian dish featuring a medley of perfectly fried seafood like shrimp, calamari, and small fish. Enveloped in a light and crispy batter, this dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course. Serve hot with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for a burst of flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, calamari, small fish)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sparkling water (chilled)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Clean the seafood: Peel and devein shrimp, slice calamari into rings, and ensure small fish are scaled and cleaned. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place seafood in a large bowl, add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice, and marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well mixed.
- Gradually add chilled sparkling water to the dry mixture, whisking to avoid lumps. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Dip seafood pieces into the batter and carefully lower them into the hot oil, frying in batches if necessary.
- Fry for 2-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Repeat with remaining seafood, maintaining oil temperature.
- Arrange the fried seafood on a large serving platter.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
- Optionally, serve with aioli or marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure seafood is dry before battering for a crispier texture.
- Experiment with herbs or spices in the batter for added flavor.
- Monitor oil temperature to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes