Fish & Chips

By á-25087

This classic British Fish and Chips recipe is as traditional as it gets with freshly fried chips and firm-fleshed white fish in a puffy, crisp batter. This recipe pairs perfectly with an ice cold beer, preferably the same beer that you use to make this recipe, and a group of your best pals. This recipe is perfect to whip up at your next casual gathering or game day celebration.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds russet potatoes, about 4 large potatoes, peeled, ends and sides squared off, and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch fries
• 3 quarts peanut oil or canola oil, plus 1/4 additional cup
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• table salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 pounds 1-inch-thick cod fillet or other thick white fish, such as hake or haddock, cut into 8 (3-ounce) pieces
• 1 1/2 cups beer, cold

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 40mins
Cooking time 75mins

Preparation

Step 1

Place cut fries in a large microwaveable bowl, toss with 1/4 cup oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high power until potatoes are partially translucent and pliable but still offer some resistance when pierced with the tip of paring knife, 6 to 8 minutes, tossing them with rubber spatula halfway through cooking time. Carefully pull back plastic wrap from side farthest from you and drain potatoes into a large mesh strainer set over sink. Rinse well under cold running water. Spread potatoes onto kitchen towels and pat dry. Let rest until room temperature, at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.

While fries cool--whisk flour, cornstarch, cayenne, paprika, pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt in large mixing bowl; transfer 3/4 cup of mixture to a rimmed baking sheet. Add baking powder to the bowl and whisk to combine.

In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, heat 2 quarts oil over medium heat to 350°F. Add fries to hot oil and increase heat to high. Fry, stirring with mesh spider or slotted metal spoon, until potatoes turn light golden and just begin to brown at corners, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer fries to thick paper bag or paper towels to drain.

Reduce heat to medium-high, add the remaining quart of oil, and heat oil to 375°F.

Meanwhile, thoroughly dry fish with paper towels and dredge each piece in flour mixture on baking sheet; transfer pieces to wire rack, shaking off excess flour. Add 1 1/4 cups beer to flour mixture in mixing bowl and stir until mixture is just combined (batter will be lumpy). Add remaining beer as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until batter falls from whisk in a thin, steady stream and leaves a faint trail across surface of the batter.

Using tongs, dip 1 piece fish in batter and let excess run off, shaking gently. Place battered fish back onto baking sheet with flour mixture and turn to coat both sides. Repeat with remaining fish, keeping pieces in single layer on baking sheet.

When oil reaches 375°F, increase heat to high and add battered fish to oil with tongs, gently shaking off excess flour. Fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer fish to thick paper bag or paper towels to drain. Allow oil to return to 375°F.

Add all fries back to oil and fry until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to fresh paper bag or paper towels to drain. Season fries with salt to taste and serve immediately with fish.