Turkish Anchovy (Hamsi) Recipe
With around 5,000 miles of coastline, fishing is a big industry in Turkey. But the number one favorite fish is hamsi, fresh from the Black Sea.
While the fish can be baked or poached, it’s simply best when it is fried. This intense flavored little fish is cooked whole, coated in a little flour, and placed in a wheel formation around the frying pan.
Once the first side is cooked, place a plate over the top, flip the pan, and slide the wheel of fish back in to cook on the other side. Delicious served with a green salad.
Turkish Anchovy
Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh anchovies cleaned, washed, and drained
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 6 tbsp sunflower oil
Instructions
- Mix the cornmeal, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place the drained anchovies in the bowl and coat them on all side with the cornmeal.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of sunflower oil into a pan. Arrange the anchovies in a wheel, placing them side by side tightly with their tails pointing toward the center of the pan.
- Cook the anchovies on high heat for 4-5 minutes. Drizzle in more sunflower oil if needed.
- Once one side is golden brown, cover the pan with a flat plate, hold onto it and turn the pan over. Add a little more sunflower oil to the pan and slide the anchovies back in.
- Once this side has cooked for 4-5 minutes, transfer the anchovies to a serving plate. Repeat the process until all of the anchovies are used up.
- Serve with lemon wedges and arugula leaves.
Notes
Check out more popular Turkish foods and discover some delicious recipes to try at home.
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