Use This Trick Next Time You’re Frying Fish

Fried Fish
Photo by Mai Quốc Tùng Lâm on Unsplash

Fried fish is amazing, but the process of making it can put many people off. Fish is one of the strongest-smelling ingredients and it can be hard to handle if you have a sensitive shnoz.

So how do you reap the sea rewards without making your kitchen resemble a busy fish market? As usual, TikTok seems to have the answer. According to the social media platform, the secret is to distract your nose with other, lovelier fragrances. Here’s what to do.

Step #1

Assemble a selection of spices. Cinnamon is a good option as it is strong and aromatic. You can use sticks or ground cinnamon (or both). Add in some vanilla extract and lemon. 

Step #2

Fill a small saucepan halfway with water, being mindful not to overfill the pot. Add a generous amount of cinnamon, a tablespoon of vanilla extract, and the juice of one lemon. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Step #3

It’s now time to fry your fish. Heat a stainless steel or non-stick skillet with an oil that has a high smoking point, like canola or sunflower seed oil. Once hot, add your fish to the pan. While you are frying, make sure to stir your cinnamon mixture so that it does not boil over. The cinnamon scent should largely cover the smell of seafood both during cooking and after you’re done.