Carp fillets with sauce

The perfect dinner with fried carp and garlic yogurt sauce

Let's prepare a delicious and comforting dinner together, using a fresh carp that you caught right from your backyard. This recipe for fried carp with garlic and yogurt sauce, accompanied by creamy polenta, is perfect for a relaxing evening but also to impress friends or family. You will discover a combination of flavors that will captivate you from the very first bite.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the fried carp:
- 1 fresh carp (approximately 1.25 kg)
- 100 g flour
- 100 g cornmeal
- Coarse salt (to taste)
- Oil for frying (enough to cover the bottom of the pan)

For the garlic sauce:
- 150 g Greek yogurt (creamy and thick)
- 1 medium head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- A pinch of salt

Preparing the carp

1. Cleaning the carp: Start by scaling the carp. Use a sharp knife or a fish scaler to remove the scales from tail to head. Make sure to remove all scales, as they can give an unpleasant texture.

2. Removing the entrails: Carefully cut open the belly of the carp and remove the entrails. If you have a playful cat, offer it the head of the carp; it will be delighted with the treat you provide!

3. Washing the carp: Rinse the carp well under cold running water, ensuring that you remove any traces of blood or residue.

4. Cutting the carp: Slice the carp into rounds about 2-3 cm thick. These will fry evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

5. Salting the carp: Sprinkle salt over the carp rounds and place them in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps enhance the fish's flavor and removes excess moisture.

Preparing the garlic sauce

1. Cleaning the garlic: Remove the skin from the garlic cloves. Use a knife to chop them finely.

2. Mashing the garlic: Place the chopped garlic cloves in a small bowl, add a pinch of salt, and mash them well until you get a smooth paste. The salt helps release the essential oils from the garlic and intensifies the flavor.

3. Mixing the sauce: In another bowl, combine the garlic paste with the Greek yogurt and olive oil. Mix well until you obtain a creamy and homogeneous sauce. This sauce is perfect not only for carp but also to be served with warm polenta.

Frying the carp

1. Preparing the flour mixture: In a container, mix the flour with the cornmeal and a pinch of salt. This combination will give the fish a crispy and delicious crust.

2. Coating the carp: Remove the carp rounds from the refrigerator and coat them in the flour and cornmeal mixture, ensuring they are evenly covered on both sides.

3. Heating the oil: In a deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Check if the oil is hot enough by sprinkling a drop of water; if it sizzles, it's ready!

4. Frying the carp: Carefully place the carp rounds in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Fry for 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy. Use a spatula to turn them easily.

5. Absorbing the oil: After frying, remove the carp rounds onto a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Serving

Serve the fried carp hot, alongside creamy polenta and garlic yogurt sauce. A portion of polenta, moistened with the garlic sauce, is the perfect combination to highlight the flavors of the fish.

Tips and variations

- Sauce variations: If you wish, you can add some fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the yogurt sauce for an extra freshness.
- Along with vegetables: You can prepare some grilled vegetables or a fresh salad as a side dish.
- Keeping the carp fresh: If you don't plan to cook it immediately, you can store it in the fridge in a plastic bag, but it's best to cook it as soon as possible to maintain its freshness.

Nutritional benefits

Carp is an excellent source of protein, containing about 20 g of protein per 100 g of fish. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. Greek yogurt adds an extra boost of calcium and probiotics, with digestive benefits being another reason why this sauce pairs perfectly with fish.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use another type of fish? Yes, this recipe works well with other types of fish, such as trout or salmon.
- How long can cooked carp be stored? Fried carp is best consumed immediately, but it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- What drinks pair well with this dish? A light beer or a dry white wine are the perfect choices to complement the flavors of your meal.

Enjoy your meal! This recipe for fried carp with garlic and yogurt sauce will surely bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. So, embrace the art of cooking and enjoy every moment spent in the kitchen!