Port Washington Fried Smelt

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups water, plus more as needed
• 1 cup beer
• 20 unsalted saltine crackers, crushed fine
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 (48 ounce) bottle peanut oil or (48 ounce) bottle vegetable oil
• 2 lbs cleaned fresh smelt

1. Whisk together the flour, 1 1/4 cups water and beer in a large bowl until smooth; add more water, if needed, to make a thin batter.
2. Combine crackers and cornmeal in a pie plate.
3. Heat oven to 200u0b0.
4. Heat oil in a heavy, deep saucepan over medium-high heat until temperature reads 375u0b0.
5. Dip smelt a few at a time into beer batter, allowing excess to drip off; roll lightly in cracker mixture.
6. Add smelts to hot oil in batches; cook, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned on all sides, about 3 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and keep warm in oven while frying the remaining smelt.
7. Serve hot.

flour, water, beer, unsalted saltine crackers, yellow cornmeal, peanut oil, fresh smelt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/port-washington-fried-smelt-88168 (may not work)