Coconut-Crusted Perch

Name: Coconut-Crusted Perch
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup apricot preserves; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50 crackers); 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons evaporated milk; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 pounds perch fillets; 1 cup canola oil, divided

A coconut breading lends tropical taste to tender perch served with a sweet-sour sauce for dipping. "I've made this dish for my family for years," says Norma Thurber of Johnston, Rhode Island. "It's good with any whitefish," she adds.

Ingredients

1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50 crackers)
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 pounds perch fillets
1 cup canola oil, divided

Directions

For sweet-sour sauce, combine the preserves, ketchup, corn syrup, lemon juice and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
In a shallow dish, combine the cracker crumbs and coconut. In another shallow dish, whisk the eggs, milk and salt. Dip each fillet in egg mixture, then coat with crumb mixture.
In a large skillet, cook fish in 3 tablespoons oil in batches over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until fish just begins to flake with a fork, adding oil as needed. Serve with sweet-sour sauce.

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked fish with 2 tablespoons sauce: 497 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 570mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.

Originally published as Coconut-Crusted Perch in Quick Cooking January/February 2004

Reviews

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Christi_cvt

Apr 13, 2011

I've been making this for my family for years. I've always used talipia and it turns out great! I've also recently went on a diet so i cut out the evaporated milk and used skim and grille it on my griddle instead of frying it. Also used sugar free preserves and reduced fat ritz. Couldn't tell the difference at all!
strabue

Sep 15, 2010

This was very good, one of my family's favorite ways to eat fish. Even my little sister who hates fish will eat this.
swesel

Oct 4, 2009

This a very delightful dish, and easy to make. The flavor was wonderful. I used talapia, but this would lend well to any white fish. I made no other changes. Will definitely make again.