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Preparation
20 minutes
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Cooking
20 hours
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Difficulty
Easy
Gray mullet is a familiar type of fish that is used to prepare various dishes. The most famous among them is dried gray mullet, which can be used to make fried dishes or grilled dishes, both of which are delicious and attractive. Today, cooking with TasteVN will guide you on how to make authentic dried gray mullet at home!
Ingredients for Dried Gray Mullet For 4 people
Gray mullet 1 kg (6 – 8 fish) Coarse salt 60 gr Chili powder 2 tablespoons Sugar 1 teaspoon
How to choose fresh and delicious gray mullet
- When selecting gray mullet, look for those with a diamond shape, featuring many shimmering yellow stripes along the body, and a lighter color on the back, as these are the good ones.
- Avoid choosing gray mullet with a large and blunt head; according to the experience of local fishermen, these are not good fish. Good gray mullet will have a slightly broad head, a slanted mouth, and the lower jaw protruding.
- Additionally, do not choose gray mullet that are too large or too small; only select fish measuring between 10 – 15 cm, as these are mature, meaty, and the most delicious gray mullet.
How to Prepare Dried Mullet Fish
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Cleaning Mullet Fish
After purchasing, scale the mullet fish and wash it thoroughly. Cut the fish open and remove the bones, gills, and intestines, then rinse several times with clean water and let it drain.
Tip: To save time, you can ask the seller to fillet the fish on the spot. Note that when filleting the fish, you must clean the blood vessels along the backbone to prevent the fish from having a fishy smell, making it more delicious when cooked.
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Marinate the fish
In a large bowl, add 300ml of water, 60g of coarse salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, and stir well until the seasoning mixture dissolves.
After the seasoning mixture has dissolved, add all the prepared fish, using chopsticks to press the fish down so that it is submerged in the water. Continue to cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 1 day and night.
Tip:
- If you do not use chili powder, you can use fresh chili in an equivalent amount.
- You can also adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference. However, do not use too much sugar for marinating as it can cause the fish to dry out when grilling or frying, making it prone to burning and affecting the flavor.
- After marinating, you can keep the fish in the refrigerator from 1 day and night to 3 days and nights. A longer marinating time allows the fish to absorb the flavors and helps preserve it better.
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Drying the fish
After the fish has absorbed the seasoning, drain the excess liquid and let it dry. Place the fish on a basket, mesh (or bamboo mat) and sun-dry for 1 to 4 days.
Tip:
- You should choose sunny weather to dry the fish, which will help the fish dry evenly and faster.
- If you cannot sun-dry, you can dehydrate the fish for 8 – 9 hours at a temperature below 100 degrees Celsius to dry the fish.
- Depending on your preference, you can sun-dry the fish from 1 to 4 days; drying longer helps preserve the fish for a longer time.
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Final product
The dried fish has a chewy texture, firmness, and a distinctive aroma. You can use the dried fish to prepare grilled dried fish, fried dried fish, or combine it to make other delicious dishes.
Information about Mullet Fish
- Mullet Fish is a species that primarily lives in the Pacific Ocean, with a long cylindrical body, slightly narrow on the sides, a slightly bulging middle, a long and somewhat flattened head, and many small bones.
- Although mullet fish has many bones, it has the advantage of having white, fragrant, and very sweet meat, with thin and soft bones.
- Mullet fish is reasonably priced, caught year-round, and can be used to prepare many delicious dishes such as dried mullet, mullet fish cake, braised mullet, sour soup with mullet,…
Tips for Preserving Dried Mullet Fish
- After drying the mullet fish, place it in a plastic bag or airtight container, seal it, and store it in a dry place, avoiding damp areas to prevent the dried fish from becoming soft and moldy.
- If you can use the dried fish in a short time, it should be stored outside or in the refrigerator’s cool compartment for convenience in preparation. For long-term storage, dry the mullet fish thoroughly and keep it in the freezer, which can be used for about 3 – 6 months.
- If you do not store the dried fish in the refrigerator, after 2 – 3 weeks, take the fish out to dry again to help prevent moisture and improve preservation.
- If possible, you should place the dried fish in a plastic bag, use a vacuum sealer to remove all the air, and put the bag in the refrigerator; this will help preserve the dried fish for a long time without fear of spoilage.
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Hopefully, through the recipe for dried mối fish, you have added a delicious and extremely simple recipe to your cooking notebook. Wish you success!
*Refer to the recipe and images from the YouTube channel HỒNG THANH FOOD
