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Beer battered fish with chips

8/7/2015

20 Comments

 
Herbed, beer-battered fish and chips
Vividly describing her arrival at the coast for a holiday, a friend excitedly scribbled onto a postcard to me "the seaside air is thin, crisp and salty, which is just how I like my chips!".

Mmm, delicious! Chips, salt and the seaside...  the only thing missing from that thought bubble is a piece of freshly caught fish wrapped in a thin, herb-flavoured beer batter. 

Peter and I are currently travelling across the United Kingdom and we've enjoyed a couple of meals of fish and chips. Huge pieces of battered cod with chips and a side of mushy peas seem to be on the menu at many pubs and restaurants that have crossed our path - from London to Padstow and Cardiff to Bath. It's good, but not quite as good as home-made, if you don't mind me saying so.

There used to be a little place down by the promenade at Bateman's Bay on the New South Wales south coast that cooked the most superb fish and chips, but it closed down long ago, so to satisfy my cravings I developed with my own recipe and I'd like to share it with you.

White-fleshed fish have a low fat content (something like less than 5%) — this makes the flesh dry. Therefore, it’s good to use a light batter on it to keep it moist and flavoursome. If you prefer, you could crumb it, or simply dust it with seasoned flour. 

To keep things on the healthy side and to minimise the intake of fried foods in one meal, I’m suggesting that we oven-cook our chips. Use either desiree or sebago potatoes for this recipe. Sebago is a good all-purpose potato and is particularly good for frying as it stays a nice golden colour. Desiree potatoes have a creamy butter flavour and a nice yellow flesh, but they are not especially good for frying. Important: prepare the chips first.

OVEN-COOKED CHIPS
3 or 4 good sized desiree potatoes (approximately 800g)
a little peanut or olive oil
salt and pepper

Peel the potatoes and wash well under cold water. Pat dry with paper towelling and cut into 1cm chips using a sharp knife. Spread the chips over a non-stick baking tray. Using a pastry brush, brush the chips with the oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 220 degrees C for around 45 minutes until golden. To ensure even cooking, toss the chips occasionally during cooking time. Drain on paper towelling.  Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

HERBED BEER BATTERED FISH FOR TWO
2 fresh white fish fillets (approximately 200g each)*
oil for frying
salt and freshly ground pepper

For the batter:
1 cup plain flour
up to 2/3 cup beer
1 egg white
finely chopped fresh herbs, such as chives and parsley

Pat the fillets dry with paper towelling and cut the fillets into two pieces and set aside. Make the batter. Combine the flour, beer and herbs in a bowl and whisk well with a wire beater until combined and free of lumps. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Then gently fold the egg whites into the batter mixture. 

Preheat the oil in a deep pan. Working quickly but carefully, dip the fish fillets into the batter and fry in hot oil until golden and crisp.  The cooking time is around 4-6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets of fish. Drain on clean paper towelling.  Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately with fat lemon wedges, oven-cooked chips and, if you like, a leafy salad.  Serves 2.

* Use flathead or whiting perhaps.

Note: this recipe first appeared on Good Things in 2011, but I thought it was worthwhile sharing again.
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Tell me dear readers, do you love fish and chips as much as I do? Where in the world have you eaten the very best fish and chips? Do share your stories! I love hearing from you xo
20 Comments
Erin@TheFoodMentalist link
21/9/2011 10:38:32 pm

I am so hungry right now and am just waiting on Pete to be ready so we can go for Pho but if this was an option right now I would be over the moon. Sounds and looks divine!

Reply
Lizzy
21/9/2011 11:04:56 pm

Pho, yummy, I'll grab my coat and purse! Thank you for your kind words, Erin, please do give this beer batter a try! It's lovely.

Reply
Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
7/7/2015 10:29:47 am

Hope you are having a wonderful time traveling! Your fish and chips look so satisfying, love the fresh herbs you added!

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Mary Frances link
7/7/2015 11:28:16 am

These looks SO good! Who can resist fish and chips?

Reply
Karen S Burns-Booth link
7/7/2015 09:06:06 pm

Mmmmmm......fish and chips, or chish and fips as my dad used to call them in a moment of mirth! I love them and often make mum's beer battered recipe when I am in SW France, when we all get a fish and chip longing! Karen

Reply
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
8/7/2015 01:14:46 am

It's hard to get really outstanding fish and chips nowadays. I think making it yourself really helps. I had heard of that place in Bateman's Bay too but what a shame that it closed down.

Reply
John / Kitchen Riffs link
8/7/2015 03:04:13 am

Love fish 'n chips! And even most people who don't like fish, like this pairing. Good stuff, here. Lucky you to be traveling! Hope you're having a great time!

Reply
Mandy link
8/7/2015 05:06:52 am

If ever I have the fortunate pleasure of visiting you, please can this be on the menu?
Have a super day Lizzy.
:-) Mandy xo

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Gerlinde@sunnycovechef link
8/7/2015 08:15:54 am

If I ever want to make my husband happy this dish would do it. Have a safe and wonderful trip,

Reply
e / dig in hobart link
8/7/2015 12:27:30 pm

I love your comment that home made is best - I have decided that my dad does the best fish and chips. when I was in Sydney recently I ate fish and chips at a lovely harbourside restaurant - but afterwards called up my dad to let him know his fish and chips is still the best!

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Joanne T Ferguson link
8/7/2015 03:30:45 pm

What a mouth watering and gorgeous photo and recipe Lizzy! I think this would be great in the air fryer! Safe travels!

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Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
8/7/2015 06:34:27 pm

Strangely enough, the best battered fish we had in the UK was at the ferry terminus in Portsmouth. I much prefer home made and your batter looks amazing :)

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Kennedy Cole@ KCole's Creative Corner link
9/7/2015 10:44:41 am

Looks absolutely delicious!

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Hotly Spiced link
9/7/2015 09:22:23 pm

I do love your friends description. That's exactly how I like my chips as well. I didn't know you're over in the UK. I hope you're enjoying their summer - I've heard they're having a scorcher. You can't go wrong with beer battered fish and chips xx

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David link
11/7/2015 07:04:12 pm

I have never made fish & chips at home, but you have made me want to try! Sounds like you and Peter are having a great time! xo

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Maureen link
12/7/2015 01:39:09 am

There was a list of the top ten fish n chip shops on the Sunshine Coast in the local paper today. John went right to the one at the top of the list and came home and eagerly opened his package. Totally disappointed so I'm going to have to use your recipe for him. :)

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GiGi Eats link
12/7/2015 12:11:54 pm

Never have I had FISH & CHIPS before! Sadly, I cannot... Unless I try my hand at making my own - but I need a deep fryer, ha! Mmmm wait, I need a deep fryer ;)

Reply
Eva Taylor link
13/7/2015 02:55:12 pm

I'm not much of a fried food lover but if there is one deep fried thing I absolutely adore it is fish and chips! Once in a long while I will allow myself a treat and share a helping with JT. It's just so good...but I only order it where I know it'll be good, there is nothing worse than wasting calories!
My BFF is in the UK right now...hope you're have a wonderful time.

Reply
Lizzy
27/7/2015 03:53:41 am

Thanks for the lovely comments. Am currently travelling. Will respond as I can XX

Reply
Steve P (Hanoi)
12/7/2016 06:53:16 pm

I love chips. It is so delicious. Thank for sharing. I'm going to try it now

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