Air-dried smelt

Description

This recipe won't take much time. Smelt is a great fish that is very simple to prepare; you don't even have to clean it. It's a classic beer snack. I like eating dried fish outdoors, laying out newspaper in the company of friends. Immediately a slew of films and jokes come to mind. Be sure to try making air-dried smelt at home—you'll see it's easier than steaming a turnip.

Instructions

1. 1

   Step 1

   Rinse the smelt and pat it dry. You do not need to clean or gut it.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Arrange the smelt in a single layer on a wide dish and sprinkle it with coarse sea salt.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Cover the dish and refrigerate for 10–12 hours.

4. 4

   Step 4

   After 10–12 hours, rinse the smelt to remove the salt, pat dry, and thread it through the eye or gills onto wire or nylon string.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Hang the smelt in a well-ventilated room (not too cold) and leave for 3–4 days.

6. 6

   Step 6

   That’s all! Don’t forget to buy beer!