How to Cook Croaker Fish
Atlantic croaker, also called hardhead, is found in the East Coast of United States from Massachusetts to Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Croaker has a white meat with a sweet flavor. A 3-oz. serving of cooked croaker contains 111 calories, 19 g of protein and 3.4 g of fat.
Atlantic croaker, also called hardhead, is found in the East Coast of United States from Massachusetts to Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Croaker has a white meat with a sweet flavor. A 3-oz. serving of cooked croaker contains 111 calories, 19 g of protein and 3.4 g of fat. You can cook croaker by pan-frying, broiling or baking.
Pan-Fried Croaker Fish
Step 1
Rinse gutted, scaled and headed croaker fish and pat dry with paper towel. Optionally drizzle on lemon juice.
Step 2
Mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour or cornmeal, 1 tsp. of salt and 1 tsp. of black pepper in a bowl. Place the croaker fish one by one in the bowl and coat with the flour mixture. Increase the amount of flour if you use more than 2 lbs. of fish.
Step 3
Heat one-half cup of vegetable oil in a cast-iron pan or a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish to the pan without overcrowding them. Fry the fish in smaller amounts if you cannot fit them in the pan at the same time.
Step 4
Cook fish for three to five minutes or until the bottom side turns brown.
Step 5
Turn the fish carefully. Cook for three to five minutes on the other side until brown and crispy. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooked or undercooked fish. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommends that you cook fish to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 6
Remove fish from the pan. Place it on a plate with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Sprinkle the fish with lemon juice and fresh chopped herbs.
Baked Croaker
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a baking dish with aluminum foil.
Step 2
Rinse gutted, scaled and headed croaker fish and pat dry with paper towel.
Step 3
Rub the fish on both sides with a mixture of 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil and 1 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If you'd like, add minced garlic or fresh herbs to the oil-lemon mixture.
Step 4
Place the fish into the dish. Bake undisturbed, for 15 to 25 minutes or until meat is translucent and flakes easily with a fork. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooked or undercooked fish. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommends that you cook fish to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Broiled Croaker
Step 1
Preheat the broiler for 10 minutes. Place the rack 4 inches away from heat source. Oil a baking dish with 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil.
Step 2
Rinse gutted, scaled and headed croaker fish and pat dry with paper towel. Place the fish on the baking dish.
Step 3
Brush fish fillets with a mixture of 1 tbsp. of lemon juice and 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Increase the amount of oil and lemon juice if you are using more than 2 lbs. of fish.
Step 4
Broil for four to eight minutes and check for readiness. If fish is over 1 1/2 inches thick, turn after five minutes and cook for another five to eight minutes or until done. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooked or undercooked fish. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommends that you cook fish to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5
Remove the fish from the broiler and sprinkle with lemon juice, salt, black pepper and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.