Fish in this attractive shape makes for an attractive first course.

What you Need

• 2lbs fresh anchovies or whitebait
• 1 cup of all purpose flour
• 4 – 6 tbsp cold water
• A pinch salt
• Oil for frying

What you Need For Garlic sauce

• 4 slices bread. Crusts trimmed, soaked in water for 10 minutes
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 4-5 tbsp olive oil1-2 tbsp water (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsps chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges for garnishing (optional)

How to prepare the recipe

1. Sift the flour into a deep bowl with a pinch of salt. Gradually stir in the water in the amount needed to make a very thick batter
2. Heat enough oil for frying in a very large, deep pan. A deep sided sauté pan is ideal.
3. Take 3 fish at a time and dip them into the batter together. Press their tails together firmly to make a fan shape.
4. Lower them carefully into the oil. Fry in several batches until crisp ad golden. Continue in this same way with all of the remaining fish.
5. Meanwhile, squeeze out the bread and place in a food processor with the garlic and lemon juice. With the processor running, add the oil in a thin steady stream. Add water if the mixture is too thick and dry. Add salt and pepper and stir in the parsley by hand. When all of the fish are cooked, sprinkle lightly with salt an arrange on serving plates with some of the garlic sauce and lemon wedges, if desired.

Time: Prep time is about 30 minutes; cook time is 3 minutes per batch.

It is best to eat the fish immediately after frying.