Welcome to a culinary journey that takes you to the heart of Southern cuisine. Today, we’re going to explore a classic and beloved dish, the Virginia Spots recipe.
Begin by thoroughly cleaning and deboning the Spots.
Rinse them under cold water, pat dry with paper towels, and remove any visible bones or scales.
Step 2: Prepare The Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour, cornmeal, salt, and black pepper.
Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Heat The Cooking Oil
Pour enough cooking oil into a large, deep skillet to reach a depth of 2-3 inches.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Set Up For Frying
While the oil is heating up, prepare a baking sheet lined with paper towels for draining the fried fish.
Step 5: Coat The Fillets
Using tongs or your hands, dip each fillet into the batter mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated on all sides.
Step 6: Fry The Fish
Carefully place the batter-covered fillets into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry for approximately 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Drain The Fried Fish
Remove the fried fish from the skillet using a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on the prepared baking sheet to drain excess oil.
Step 8: Double Fry For Crispy Coating
Once all the fish has been fried, increase the heat of the oil slightly.
Fry the fish a second time for an additional 1-2 minutes per side. This double-frying method ensures that the coating is extra crispy while also ensuring that the fish is cooked through.
Step 9: Serve And Enjoy
Serve the fried Virginia Spots hot with your choice of sides, and savor the delicious meal you’ve prepared!
Notes
If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, you can make a homemade version by combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
For a healthier alternative, you can also bake the coated fish in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 15 minutes or until cooked through.
For an extra kick of flavor, you can add spices such as paprika or cayenne pepper to the batter mixture.
Don’t discard any leftover batter, as it can be used to make delicious hush puppies or fried pickles.