Fish and chips are a British staple that everyone cannot help but love. Although the dish originated in England where these two components had been introduced from separate immigrant cultures, it is not known who created the culinary fusion that became the emblematic British meal that it is today. It is a hot dish that consists of fried fish in batter, served with chips.
Use a thick white fish for this recipe, such as cod, haddock, or pollock. The fillets are dipped in a flour batter that includes both dark beer and sparkling water, and the carbonation ensures a light, crispy fried fish. The "chips" are simply freshly cut fried potatoes. Use one pot to fry the chips, the fish, and then the chips again for that crisp exterior and fluffy interior to ensure both fish and chips are ready to eat at the same time. Bring the pub home to you, courtesy of Oxford at Country Club Apartments.
Ingredients:
For the Fish
• 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
• 7 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Sea salt, to taste
• 1 pinch black pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup dark beer, cold
• 1/3 cup sparkling water, cold
• 4 (7-ounce) fish fillets (thick, white fish)
For the Chips
• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled
• 1 quart, plus 1 liter, vegetable oil
Directions:
1. Gather the ingredients. Then, set aside 2 tablespoons of flour. In a large, roomy bowl, mix the remaining flour with the cornstarch and baking powder. Season lightly with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Using a fork to whisk continuously, add the beer and the sparkling water to the flour mixture and continue mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter. Place the batter in the fridge to rest for between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, cut the potatoes into a little less than 1/2-inch-thick slices, then slice these into 1/2-inch-wide chips. Place the chips into a colander and rinse under cold running water. Place the washed chips into a pan of cold water. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain carefully through a colander, then dry with paper towels. Keep in the fridge covered with paper towels until needed.
4. Meanwhile, lay the fish fillets on a paper towel and pat dry. Season lightly with a little sea salt.
5. Heat the oil to 350 F in a deep-fat fryer or large, deep saucepan. Cook the chips a few handfuls at a time in the fat for about 2 minutes. Do not brown them. Once the chips are slightly cooked, remove them from the fat and drain. Keep to one side.
6. Place the 2 tablespoons of flour reserved from the batter mix into a shallow bowl. Toss each fish fillet in the flour and shake off any excess. Dip into the batter, coating the entire fillet.
7. Check that the oil temperature is still 350 F. Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 8 minutes, or until the batter is crisp and golden, turning the fillets from time to time with a large slotted spoon.
8. Once cooked, remove the fillets from the hot oil and drain them on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Cover with greaseproof paper, like parchment paper, and keep hot.
9. Heat the oil to 400 F, then cook the chips until golden and crisp, or about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain. Season with salt.
10. Serve immediately with the hot fish accompanied by your favorite condiment.
Shake up your household menu – and put your fully equipped kitchen to use – with this easy-to-follow recipe, courtesy of Oxford at Country Club Apartments in Baytown, Texas.