Recipe: Pescado Frito con Mojo de Ajo (Whole Fried Fish with Garlic Sauce)

PESCADO FRITO CON MOJO DE AJO
(WHOLE FRIED FISH WITH GARLIC SAUCE)

1 whole red snapper or redfish, scaled, gutted and rinsed, head and tail on
Juice of 4 limes
2 teaspoons of salt, divided
6 cloves of garlic, minced, divided
Canola oil

Rinse the fish in cold water. Score both sides of the fish 3 to 4 times with a sharp knife. Marinate the fish for 2-4 hours in half the lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and one-third of the minced garlic.

While the fish is marinating, prepare the garlic sauce by combining in a food processor 1/3 of the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt and the rest of the lime juice.

When you are ready to cook the fish, heat enough oil in a deep pan or wok to cover the fish.

While the oil is heating, remove the fish, pat it dry with a paper towel and press the remaining garlic into the scored areas.

When the oil sizzles when a piece of garlic is dropped in, carefully lower in the whole fish. Cook the fish for 10 minutes or until it is lightly browned.

Drain it on a rack over paper towels until it no longer drips. Serve hot with tortillas, garlic sauce, pickled onions, hot sauce and rice.