Everyone has their favorite, but I want to turn y'all on to one that I found 4 or 5 years back while walking a riverfest along the Wolf River in Fremont WI. 2 guys had a table set up in front of the local bait shop and were handing out samples. It has been my go-to breading ever since.
The breading itself has a texture that finishes much like Fryin' Magic and the spices are pretty strong, maybe stronger than needed...for my tastes anyway. Sooo...in order to stretch the breading out and arrive at a dryer, thinner coating once the fish is fried, I mix this 50/50 with standard old "Zatarain's Seasoned Fish Fry". The Zatarain's by itself has actually very little flavor, but is a very thin, dry coating. When mixed 50/50 with my regular coating mix, it is to my personal tastes. Zatarain's Seasoned Fish Fry can be purchased at most any larger grocery store or chain.
The coating that I use is the "Chef's Original" by No Excuses Outdoors. 99.99% of you have likely never heard of it.
Since I stumbled onto this breading, I have served it to quite a few people including those that simply do not like fish for whatever bizarre reasons. Have yet to have a single complaint and most actually rave about it.
The only other thing that I have used it on is chicken breasts that I have stripped out and it beats any strips that I have bought at any bar/restaurant.
It is worth trying IMHO and I don't endorse much of anything....
-- Edited by gpalma on Tuesday 8th of March 2011 04:21:31 PM
-- Edited by gpalma on Tuesday 8th of March 2011 04:22:26 PM
I am interested to hear of your analysis. Have no stake in this personally and have not communicated with them since I bought my initial packages (other than placing orders). But, I am really sold on it because the flavor is so unique.
Now I wish I got a percentage :) I am going to be amazed if some of y'all don't get addicted, Mike. You can try it straight, but IMHO, it is a tad better doing the 50/50 mix with std Zatarian's. http://www.zatarains.com/Products/Breadings-and-Fry-Mixes/Seasoned-Fish-Fri.aspx
Thanks Grant, I am paying attention. A 50/50 mixture with Zatarian's is what I will try (as soon as my walleye boat comes in...) Pun intended -- I mean the Chef's Original mix...arrives. I have the walleye filets... Of course, some are Canadian walleye filets (found at the store). Sounds like a real winner to me. That will be fun.
I ordered the Zatarian's mixture too -- so that I do not blow the roof off the house when I try this recipe. I think a cold beer is needed with this recipe and walleye filets? Oooops Three beers ... It will be a 50/50 mixture and that sounds good to me.
Now I just need some spring open water fishing in my boat. I have them surrounded. I am in the count down bigtime. Malmo Mike is watching the walleyes on his new HDS unit --ya think?
hehehe...Mike, I really hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. Again, endorsing products is not my bag unless I am absolutely sold on it and even then it is darned seldom. Now, I just need to have somebody give some reasonably good feedback here so that the rest of the world will see that I at least have taste in my mouth :)
Beer required with fish? Does a woodchuck chuck wood?
Good luck on having clear water by the opener. At this rate, we could be icefishing until June....
An easy one that I still like on occasion is to dip the filets in a mix of one large egg, 2 tablespoons of real spicy mustard and some sea salt. Then, roll the filets in Potato Buds...let them sit on a plate for a couple of minutes...then roll in Potato Buds again. Deep fry per usual in Canolla oil at 375F until brown and let fish rest a moment on paper toweling.
Mike, I checked their site and saw that as well. Sooo, I contacted him via his FB page and he assured me that all orders placed prior to 15 March have been shipped. His facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/jgagnow
I will have to give it a try, I like testing out new breadings, last summer I tried Lost River breading and thought it was really good too on everything from fish to veggies! Thanks for the tip on this one.
Malmo Mike finally got his Chef's Original breading mix (from No Excuses Outdoors) today and the Zatarian's mixture as well a few days ago. So finally I am set to be a gourmet walleye chef du jour.
The FEDEX package said it was on a slow snow sled from Wisconsin and they took the wrong turn at Iditarod or Unalaklete, AK. (okay I am embellishing). The Iditarod is over for this year.
Tomorrow evening walleye filets at Malmo Mike's ranch-- sauted in virgin olive oil -- with this kick butt breading mixture. It is a tough job but someone has to do it. Bobber and Doug have been coaching me too. Too much fun so little time.
Tat2jonnie eat your heart out or get the heck out here to try some. This will help my walleye fever for a few hours at least. Jon come on out I have cold ones please.
I caught them in Minnesota and froze 'em; then hauled them home in my carry on insulated cooler bag. Malmo Mike gets around. HA! That;s my story and I am sticking to it.
We can buy Candaian walleye here at the dang supermarket, but they are nor easy to find.
However, that fact is you cannot beat a Mille Lacs Lake walleye shore lunch.
Mike, the bad part about many store bought walleyes is when they were caught. Those that you buy in the store right now were not caught recently, trust me on this. Far better to dine on those that you caught that you KNOW were well taken care of :)