Dad'S Fried Crappie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

7 ounces lemon-lime flavored soda
1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 lb crappie, cleaned and deboned (or other whitefish)
1 cup flour, to flour fish
4 cups vegetable oil (or more)

Preparation

Cut fish into pieces no larger than 2 inches.
Season with salt and pepper.
Flour fish in small batches in a Ziploc bag, then lay on a plate.
Allow fish to sit for 30 minutes.
Heat 3-4 inches oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat about 10-15 minutes.
Mix 7up, egg, pancake mix, and sugar.
Individually dip fish into batter and then gently place in oil.
Fry about 5 pieces at a time. Oil should be at a simmer when fish is cooking. Fry on both sides until golden.
Drain on paper towels.