Fish Fry Significance and Recipe
You may have recently seen pictures of our 2nd Anniversary Fish Fry and our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce. What a night it was! We were so honored to celebrate with the Mayor of Hilton Head, Town Council Members, Chamber of Commerce Board Members and Ambassadors, our family, friends, and many, many Binya supporters. Thank you for joining us or supporting us from afar!
You may wonder why we chose a Fish Fry for our 2nd Anniversary celebration and we wanted to give more history and insight into what a Fish Fry means to the Gullah community. As you may know from following us and reading, the Gullah community has a rich cultural heritage with language, traditions, and cuisine and is passed down from generation to generation. One of the culinary traditions that the Gullah people are known for is the fish fry.
The history of a fish fry is rooted in the communal spirit of the Gullah people who have traditionally lived in close-knit communities along the coast. Fish fries provided an opportunity for neighbors to come together, socialize, and enjoy a delicious meal made from the abundance of seafood available in their surroundings. The Gullah people's connection to the sea runs deep, as their ancestors were skilled fishermen and relied on seafood as a staple part of their diet. Fish fries have been a longstanding tradition among the Gullah community, serving to bring family and friends together to share a meal and celebrate their cultural heritage.
The traditional process of preparing a fish fry involves community members working together to catch, clean, and cook the fish. The fish is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, coated in a crispy batter, and fried to perfection in hot oil. The tantalizing aroma of the frying fish would draw people from far and wide to join in the festivities. We’ve included a fish fry recipe for you at the bottom of this post to give it a try!
During a Gullah fish fry, lively music, storytelling, and laughter fills the air as people gather around to enjoy the freshly fried fish, often served with other staple dishes. At ours, we also served Lowcountry Boil, which is also a staple in our Lowcountry community.
Many families have been passing down recipes and cooking techniques from generation to generation (Lola’s brother Cedric won’t share his actual recipe…!) Fish Fry celebrations serves as a reminder of the strength and spirit of the Gullah people, who have preserved their traditions and customs despite the challenges they have faced throughout history.
Do you want to try a Fish Fry? Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb firm white fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or tilapia)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges and tartar sauce for serving
Instructions:
1. Prepare the fish:
- Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Cut the fillets into smaller pieces, about 2-3 inches in size, for easier frying
2. Season the fish:
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Dip each piece of fish into the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly on all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
3. Dip in buttermilk:
- Pour the buttermilk into another shallow dish.
- Dip each coated fish piece into the buttermilk, allowing any excess flour to drip off.
4. Coat with flour again:
- Return the fish to the seasoned flour mixture and coat it once more. This double-coating will give the fish a crispy crust when fried.
5. Fry the fish:
- In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the coated fish pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Fry the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried fish to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
6. Serve and enjoy:
- Serve the traditional fish fry hot, garnished with lemon wedges and accompanied by tartar sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Enjoy the crispy exterior and tender, flaky interior of the fish with your family and friends.