What is Fried Eel?
Fried eel is made from thin fillets of eel that are dipped in a light batter, or coated in egg and then flour. This is deep fried until the eel is tender and the breading is crispy and golden. The eel has a sweet umami taste and a hint of saltiness from the breading. Fried eel is served as is, or in various savory dishes.
Ingredients
...Eels are a type of fish, with a long snake-like body. Eel is commonly used in East Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese dishes, such as sushi or nigiri. Eel is a greasy fish, with varying textures though generally firm and sometimes delicate. The flavor will vary, depending on the type of eel. Freshwater eel has a rich taste, while saltwater eel is mild and sweet. Eel has a golden red color when cooked, over a cream colored middle. Raw eel has a white color.
...Vegetable oil is obtained by extracting oil from seeds. Types of vegetable oil include canola, sunflower, corn, and safflower. Light and with a neutral taste, vegetable oils are used to fry foods, or can be used to lightly coat meats and vegetables before roasting. Vegetable oils are also used as ingredients in salad dressings and sauces.
...Wheat flour is a product made by finely milling wheat grains until they form a powder-like substance. Wheat flour is denser than powder and comes as whole wheat flour; a semi-dense flour with a beige color and full flavor. All- purpose flour is refined, white, lighter in texture and more bland in flavor. There are other varieties of wheat flour with these two being the most common. The flavor is mild and nutty. Wheat flour is used in the making of a huge number of foods across all cuisines. It is used as a binder as well as the basis for breads, baked goods and coating for breaded meats and vegetables. It is used in sauces and even some candies.
...Corn flour is made from dried corn kernels. The kernels are ground into a fine flour that can be used in baking. The flour is soft and has a mildly sweet corn flavor when baked into a bread or any other item. Corn flour can also be used for encrusting fish and meat. The difference between white and yellow corn flour is the color of the kernel.
...Bay leaves are commonly bought dried, though can be used fresh. Once dried, they are a muted green color, bordering on grey. Each end comes to a point and the scent is green, floral and similar to thyme. One or two bay leaves are enough to flavor a large pot of soup. The flavor it lends is herbal and almost spicy, without any heat. Bay leaves should not be consumed as the flavor is pungent and bitter when not distributed through a dish.