The original idea for this technique can be traced to Marian Morash’s The Victory Garden Fish and Vegetable Cookbook. It was a trip down Memory Lane when I found it again in the New England Open House Cookbook.

Sarah Leah Chase credits Marian Morash for the basic idea and goes on to add her own adaptations. Wondra flour for dredging the fish for one thing. I’ve recently become a huge fan of Wondra flour for coating fish, so that adaptation definitely caught my eye.

The recipe recommends using haddock or cod. We caught some black sea bass, so that got the nod around here. Any skinless fillets would work well.

This is more technique than recipe. Reversing the normal process of dipping the fish fillets in an egg wash and then in flour, simply dredge fish fillets in seasoned flour (preferably Wondra) and then in the egg wash. Generously coat a fry pan with canola oil and fry the fish until golden. Serve with tartar sauce and/or lemon wedges. Homemade tartar sauce can be as simple as equal parts mayonnaise and sweet pickle relish.

The fish was wonderful, making the technique worth remembering.