mushy

[slowpole]

we fried up some crappies last night they were mushy. they supposed to be mushy or did we under cook them?

[freeflow_23]

1) Oil was not hot enough?
2) Breader sat too long on fish before entering grease?
3) Fish was still cold or partially frozen?

[slowpole]

vegetable oil wuz 350 - 400
a few shakes in the breader straight to the grease
fish were still swimming in my live well 10 minutes before going in the pan

[CrappieHusker]

Crappie do not have the same texture of say walleye, salmon, swordfish or even white bass. They seem to have a tendency to be somewhat "mushy", I guess. They are not a real firm fish. I much prefer a fresh crappie fillet to a frozen crappie fillet as they kinda 'puff up' a lot more!:D

[CrappieMagnet]

Try putting them in ICE cold water to firm them up before cooking them.:D

[sac-a-lait]

HOTTER GREASE...Cook until golden brown. If filets are big, then cut them up.

[slowpole]

thanks CrappieMagnet I'll try the ice water

sac-a-lait my frying pan only goes up to 400 I'll max her out next time

CrappieHusky I thought they must be more mushy than other fish... being new to crappie and all wasn't really sure

[howferg]

You should be able to drop a piece of white bread in the oil and it will inst turn into toast . Thats how I know when then the oil is hot enough , and after the first batch the oil will have cooled off a little because of the first batch you cooked .let it come back up to the right temp again . Take and dip your fish in an egg and then in the flour , fry till crispy on each side about 2min on each side add salt to taste. send me all the ones you don't want . Ha enjoy

[sportsman223]

If oil was 350-400 try patting filets dry with paper towel before breading with dry golden dip I don"t use any liquid with my dip and cook until golden brown. Just my $.02

[sticko]

fresh crappie are a little mushy. they will firm up after been froze.
thaw them out and pat dry.
heat grease to 400 deg. F

to tell the temp of grease once it heats up throw a kitchen match in it let it float till the match lites and goes out the temp will be right.

but i use a candy thermometer sold at most grocery stores. to keep the heat at the 400 deg f

cut your filets in to 1 1/2 in strips dont add to many to the pan about 8 pieces at a time so they cook thru fast and not soak up grease.

once the fish floats to the top they are done .

leave a little longer for more crisp.

~ sticko ~