Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

750 gm white fish fillets, boneless, skinless (cut into strips)

Breadcrumbs to coat

Sunflower or corn oil for deep frying

Marinade Batter:

2 tbsp white flour

1 tsp each:  pepper + cumin + cinnamon + sweet paprika

1/2 tsp curry powder

1 tbsp salt

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp onion powder (or) 30 ml onion juice

Method:

In a large non reacting container, combine all marinade ingredients.  Whisk in an amount of tap water; enough to form a moderately thick batter; similar to tempura in consistency.  Marinate fish strips into this batter; allowing them to be completely immersed.  Cover and refrigerate for overnight, or at least for a couple of hours.  Remove from marinade; by means of a pair of tongs and coat well all sides, with breadcrumbs.  Tap gently on strips, pressing breadcrumbs to snug in.  When all quantity is coated, heat enough oil in a wide frying skillet,  over medium heat; for deep frying.  When moderately hot, add a one layer batch to golden on both sides.  Remove with a slotted spatula, upon kitchen paper towels.  Repeat process until all quantity is finished.  Serve hot with tehine dip, arugula with a squeeze of lemon, baladi salad and baladi bread.  Wishing everybody a very happy Eid El Fitr.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly