Whitebait Fried in Lard

• whitebait
• iced water
• flour
• lard, for deep-frying
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put whitebait in a shallow bowl with ice cubes and a little water. Just before frying, spread fish on a clean tea cloth to dry. Place on paper liberally dusted with well-seasoned flour and dredge with more flour; place in a wire basket and shake off surplus flour. Then plunge the basket into very hot