Blackening meat and fish is a cooking technique commonly found in Cajun cuisine. The recipe for blackening fish used to be used for red fish, but over time it has been used to cook all kinds of poultry and seafood. Blackening fish is a quick and easy process with few ingredients, but must be done outdoors because of the amount of smoke it produces. Learn how to blacken fish the traditional way by following these steps.
Step
Step 1. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat
A cast-iron skillet is required to blacken the fish, as other pans will not be able to provide the intense heat required for this recipe. Turn the skillet on to a charcoal grill or gas stove over medium-high heat. Let the pan heat up for about 10 or 15 minutes, and do not add oil to the pan.
Step 2. Melt the butter in a shallow pan
While the cast iron skillet is heating up, melt a little butter on another grill. Use just enough butter to coat the fish, or more if you want to serve the fish with melted butter.
Step 3. Coat each fish fillet with melted butter
Use a pair of tongs to coat both sides of the fillet with melted butter, shaking off any excess butter. Transfer the fillets to a large plate to season.
Step 4. Season the fillets with the Cajun spice mixture
Season the fillets moderately with a sprinkling of spices to blacken the Cajun on both sides; This spice mix can be purchased from the grocery store or made yourself. This mixture usually contains thyme, oregano, paprika, garlic, onion, chili sauce, pepper, and salt. You can replace it with another spice mix.
Step 5. Transfer the fish fillets to a cast-iron skillet
Use a pair of tongs to get the fillets into the pan, but don't overcrowd the pan. Do not move the fillets after they have been put in the pan; by letting the fillets sit in the pan, the fillets will peel off on their own and won't stick. If the pan is heated properly, a lot of smoke will form as a result of mixing the milk solids in the butter with the fish.
Step 6. Turn the fish fillets over after 1 or 2 minutes
Once the fillets start to rise, turn them over with a spatula. The cooked side will have a thick, black butter and spice crust.
Step 7. Remove the fish from the grill
Let the fish cook for 1 or 2 minutes on the other side, then remove from the pan. Serve according to taste. Usually served with lemon and butter.
