Nothing says summer in New Zealand more than Whitebait Fritters with Aioli! This classic recipe is quick and simple so sure to leave everyone wanting seconds.
Whitebait Fritters with Aioli Recipe
Serves 4 (makes 12 fritters)
5 eggs
2 tbsp plain flour
300g whitebait
salt and pepper, to season
40g butter
lemon wedges, to serve
2 avocados, diced, to serve
aioli, to serve
1 Preheat oven to 120C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Whisk eggs and flour in a bowl. Add whitebait, stirring until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
2 Heat half the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. When hot add 2-tbsp quantities of whitebait mixture to pan, making 3 fritters at a time. Cook for 2 minutes or until golden. Turn fritters and cook for a further 1–2 minutes or until golden and whitebait has turned opaque. Transfer fritters to prepared baking tray and put in oven to keep warm. Cook remaining fritters. Serve with lemon wedges, avocado and aioli.
AIOLI
Put 2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a food processor and process for 30 seconds or until combined. With processor running on slow, add ½ cup light olive oil in a steady stream through funnel. Taste and season with salt and pepper if required. Spoon aioli into a serving bowl. Add warm water to aioli if it seems too thick.
Note: if you are unable to get New Zealand whitebait fresh at the fish market, frozen silver fish (thawed) or the larger Italian-style is suitable.