Ivar's Copycat Fried Cod is close, really close to what you get at Seattle's famous seafood restaurant. I don't think there's anything better than what you find at Ivar's, but this recipe comes in handy between visits to the Seattle waterfront. Serve with a side of Sweet Corn Pasta Salad or Mixed Bean Salad for a great flavor combination.
1 ⅓cupsseafood breading mixuse your favorite variety of seasoned fish fry breading mix
1sleeve of saltine crackersabout 38-40 crackers, crushed fine
2eggswhisked
1cupvegetable oilfor frying
Instructions
Prepare
Cut cod into serving-sized chunks. Drain very well and squeeze the cod gently using paper towels to remove as much water/liquid as possible, especially if the fish was frozen. This is an important step to keep the breading on the cod while it fries in the hot oil.
Breading
Place saltine crackers in a plastic zip top bag and using a rolling pin, crush the crackers into very fine crumbs. Combine cracker crumbs with seafood breading mix on a plate or in a dish and set aside. In another dish whisk 2 eggs. Place each piece of cod in the eggs and coat thoroughly then place the egg-coated piece of cod in the dish with breading mix and cracker crumbs and roll to coat.
Fry
Heat oil in a heavy-duty, cast iron pan. When the oil shimmers, add fish and cook for 3-5 minutes, turning once. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and tarter sauce.
Notes
Use whichever brand of seasoned fish fry breading your family enjoys the most. The secret to the cod turning out crispy and distinctively crunchy, like at Ivar's, is the finely crushed saltine crackers. Serve with Crockpot Clam Chowder for a great seafood meal! Old Fashioned Salmon Patties are another great seafood recipe I think you'll love. The nutritional information below assumes each cod fillet was coated with about 1 tablespoon of seafood breading mix.