Fish and Chips
I’m about to say something that for some of you, will make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I realize this. Heck, it almost doesn’t make any sense to me; but it is the truth, so I’ll just go ahead and say it anyway.
There is a shortage (in fact let’s just call it an absence) of seafood dishes on Cooking is My Sport.
It’s not that this is an accident. To be honest, it’s actually pretty intentional. And will probably, very likely remain that way. Why?
Because I don’t really like fish.
I realize that for some of you, your mouths are hanging open and your eyes are bugging out of your head in shock. I know; because EVERYONE likes fish, right?
Wrong. I don’t. Neither do the people that live in my house. Not most fish anyway.
I’ve heard people give me all kinds of reasons and rationalizations as to why I have a ‘misplaced’ dislike for the meat of the sea: I haven’t had fish that was ‘fresh enough’. the fish I had wasn’t ‘cooked properly’, I need to eat more fish because it’s ‘healthier’, I need to ‘get creative and eat more types of fish’.
Blah, blah, blah. I’m not buying it anymore, folks. I’ve had fish that was frozen from the grocery store, and fresh fish off the coast of Miami Beach in 5 star restaurants. I’ve had fish cooked for me, and fish I’ve cooked myself. I’ve had salmon, crappies, blue gills, shrimp, lobster, crab, tilapia, and cod. And yeah, you do feel kinda ‘lighter’ after eating it than you do after eating say… pork or beef.
But seriously, I don’t care about that. I’ve really tried to hop on the Fish bandwagon. But it just didn’t work out for me.
I will concede on a few things. Salmon can be tasty when cooked properly. I like shrimp in fried rice and jambalaya. However for me, the majority of fish dishes out there pretty much just taste like…fish. There’s just something about the meat that for me doesn’t absorb flavor and spices as well as other proteins- at least not in a way that takes away that ocean-y aftertaste.
Unless you fry it. That’s a different story.
My grandma fries her fish (mostly blue gill and crappies) in cornmeal over the stove Southern-style, and I’ve never had a problem eating that. It’s very good. For a while, it was the only type of fish I was that interested in eating at all. (I even may go ahead and post that on the blog sometime, since it’s pretty easy to do…)
But this past Christmas, I bought myself the America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook as a present and noticed their recipe for Fish and Chips.
Don’t laugh at me guys, but for a long time (longer than I’m even willing to admit) I didn’t even know what the ‘chips’ of Fish and Chips was. The ‘Fish’ part was pretty obvious, but I didn’t know how it was supposed to be prepared, and I was completely clueless as to what the ‘chips’ were.
Was ‘chips’ a code-word for something else? Were ‘chips’ the chips I knew of that came in a yellow bag on the potato chip aisle of the grocery store? Why would anyone want to eat fish with potato chips anyway?
(Like I said, don’t laugh.)
I did eventually get around to figuring out that ‘chips’ were pretty much what I knew of as french fries. In reading the cook book, I also saw that the fish was typically dipped in a beer batter and deep fried until golden brown. This caught my attention and interest for 2 reasons. First, I’m a human and I’m sane- which is basically synonymous with having a great and all encompassing love of french fries. Second, anything that gets dipped in a beer batter and deep fried…well suffice to say, it’s pretty much impossible that it’s gonna taste bad. Even fish. Im-possible.
So what did I do? Well, I took a gamble; I went out and bought some cod fillets with potatoes, pulled out my deep fryer and got to work. Because I don’t cook with fish, I followed the ATK directions to a T; I even bought malt vinegar to sprinkle on the finished fish like they recommended (even though before now, I didn’t know there was such a thing as malt vinegar).
The verdict is in.
Yeah. Okay, um… this fish is good. Like really, really good stuff. And I honestly never thought I’d ever be saying something like that. But I am. Because I’ll never lie when it comes to food. I almost don’t even know where to start when trying to describe this dish.
Oh wait. Yes I do: with the beer batter crust on the fish. Wow. Just…wow. The crunch you get when you bite into it is almost unbelievable. It’s perfectly golden brown and is so well complimented by the puff of airy tenderness of the fish itself. The malt vinegar is exactly what you need to cut the saltiness of the batter and makes the flavors pop all the better.
I won’t lie guys, the potatoes are pretty labor intensive. And even though they came out beautifully, I have to be honest and say in the future I will probably take the shortcut and buy frozen ones to eat instead. Judge me if you like, I don’t care. That’s what they’re there for, right?
My house may have smelled like a fish market for a few days afterward, but I was still really pleased with how my first attempt at Fish and Chips turned out. It was even something family was willing to eat (which is really saying something). I couldn’t believe this was something I actually MADE. Me: the girl who hates fish.
Maybe this is a sign I should start broadening my horizons and being more open to eating fish more often.
…..Nah.
I will say this though, I feel confident enough about this dish to bring it to the Fiesta Friday Anniversary Party Part 2, hosted by Angie@TheNoviceGardener and co-hosted by Nancy @Feasting With Friends and Selma @Selma’s Table. Because I’m sure there are plenty of fish lovers here right?
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Fish and Chips
Recipe Courtesy of The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2015
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. russet potatoes (about 4 large), ends & sides squared off, and cut length-wise into 1/2 inch fries)
- 3 quarts plus 1/4 up peanut oil or canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
- Table salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 1/2 lbs. cod other thick whitefish fillets, such as hake or haddock, cut into eight 3-oz. pieces about 1 inch thick)
- 1 1/2 cup (12 oz.) cold beer
Directions
1. Place the cut fries in a large, microwaveable bowl, toss with 1/4 cup of the oil & 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 a paring knife, 6-8 minutes, tossing them with a rubber spatula. Carefully pull back plastic wrap from side furthest from you and drain potatoes into large mesh strainer set over a sink. Rinse well under cold running water. Spread he potatoes on a few clean kitchen towels & pat dry. Let rest until fries have reached room temp, at least 10 minutes or up until an hour.
2. While fries cool, whisk flour, cornstarch, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, and 2 tsp. salt in a large mixing bowl; transfer 1/4 cup of the mixture to a rimmed baking sheet. Add baking powder to bowl and whisk to combine.
3. In a large Dutch oven fitted with lip on candy thermometer, heat 2 quarts more oil over medium heat to 350°F. Add the fries to the hot oil and increase the heat to high. Fry, stirring with a mesh spider or slotted metal spoon, until potatoes turn light golden and just begin to brown at the corners, 6-8 minutes. Transfer the fries to a thick paper bag or paper towels to drain.
4. Reduce heat to medium high, add remaining 1 quart oil and heat oil to 375°F. Thoroughly dry fish with paper towels & dredge each piece in the flour mixture on a baking sheet; transfer pieces to a wire rack, shaking off any excess flour. Add 1 1/4 cups of the beer to the flour mixture in the mixing bowl and stir until mixture is just combined (batter will be lumpy). Add remaining 1/4 cup of beer as needed, 1 tbsp. at a time, whisking after every addition until batter falls from whisk in a thin steady stream and leaves a faint trail across the surface of the batter. Using tongs, dip 1 piece of fish in the batter and let the excess run off, shaking gently. Place the battered fish back on the baking sheet with the flour mixture and turn to coat on both sides. Repeat with the remaining fish, keeping the pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet.
5.When the oil reaches 375 degrees F, increase the heat to high and add the battered fish to the oil with the tongs, gently shaking off any excess flour. Fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer the fish to a thick paper bag or paper towels to drain. Allow the oil to return to 375 degrees.
6. Add all of the fries back to the oil and fry until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a fresh paper bag or paper towels to drain. Season the fries with salt to taste and serve immediately with the fish.
I know whereof you speak, I am VERY picky about fish, I won’t say I dislike really but nothing fishy for me no way. I do love good fish and chips and yours looks so good, deep fried, oh yes. Crisp and delicious I’ll take with some malt vinegar. Delicious,
Thank you so much Suzanne 😀
I do love a good fish and chips and yours looks pretty good to me! We have a great seafood restaurant 5 min from where we live that we go prob once a week. They always have fresh and delicious fish.
Thank you!
OMG, Jess, same feelings on fish for a long time. But 10 years ago I went to London and they are known for their fish and chips, and now I know why. This recipe brought back fond memories of that trip to London and now I want two things: to go back to London and FISH AND CHIPS! Thanks for sharing!
Rob
Thanks glad to see I’m not too weird about fish 😉
I love fish – even raw in sashimi – and love seafood too – so, I am glad that you liked your rather gorgeous looking fish ‘n’ chips – you know we get these wrapped in paper, from the ‘chippie’?! You are such a natural cook – on your first try, you have produced a pretty amazing bit of battered fish, Jess. Thanks for sharing this and Happy Fiesta Friday!
Awwww thank you Selma- sometimes I think I just get lucky so that means a lot for you to say that lol
Happy Fiesta Friday!
Looks delicious Jess, nice and crispy, just the way I like it!
That batter was VERY crispy, really made the whole dish. Thank you Lily!
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing 😉
Thank you for the compliment!
I chuckled all the way through your post, Jess! Love it. 🙂 I have no problem with seafood… fish, especially our lake fish, is where I have issues with cooking it up. But after reading through your preparation…I do believe beer batter is the key! Your fish and chips look spectacular…it looks like your fish is fried to perfection…that color! It looks absolutely delicious…thanks for sharing with all of us at Fiesta Friday!
Thanks Nancy this is really one of my two (and only) ways I’ve eaten fish where I actually do REALLY like it. Happy Fiesta Friday 🙂
I’m trying to eat more fish myself. Fish and chips is the best way to go! I wouldn’t mind having yours for dinner tonight! They look perfectly crisp! 🙂
Thanks Angie- I’m so glad I got to bring this to Part 2 of the party this weekend 😀
Your post had me smiling the whole time I was reading it 🙂 I love all types of seafood, but you really can’t beat fish and chips. This looks delicious.
Thank you so much Natalie 🙂
What golden and crispy looking fish! Yum!
Thank you!
Aww, Jess. We can’t love all food! There are somethings that make me a bit squeamish too! However, your fish and chips look divine! Gorgeous photos too! Makes me crave a big platter. 😀
True, true Julianna-I guess fish is just one of them for me. Thank you!
How funny reading about ‘chips’ and even funnier that it was in an American cookbook!! Fish and chips is often called a ‘fish supper’ here and is what people grab from a ‘chippie’ as a meal..yours looks great, the batter looks perfect, and the chips are a definite success, I reckon you could feed my husband any day!
Thanks Elaine- my confusion about it makes me feel like one of ‘those’ Americans lol But it did turn out really well!
Not at all!!! We are all learning each other’s terms via our blogs 🙂 x
I love fish and chips! I had it quite often when I lived in Ireland- you know for them this dish is a national sport 😀 yours looks delicious!
I knew it was really popular in Ireland and the UK, but I’d never had it before now. I can definitely see why it’s such a big deal there. Thank you!
I’m glad you like SOME seafood – I love it all! I’m a pescetarian and am always on the hunt for fish recipes! Fish and chips is the ultimate treat in our house and yours looks delish!
Thank you very much!
Fish and chips!!!! Hmmmmm…… British person here having a nostalgia trip, imagining those lovely chips soaked in vinegar. Thank you for bringing it to the party! 🙂
Thanks Lili, I’m glad I got to see what all the fuss is about, it’s a really good dish 😀
Brilliant! I don’t eat fish as a rule… yet in batter occasionally.. its great! one thing though… don’t ever use frozen fries!! real chips are the best.. even better when fried in beef dripping.. and the fish!
Thank you- haha, you’re making me feel guilty about the chips comment now lol
Gotta keep em real!
Jess! Your story about the chips is so cute. In Australia we call both potato chips and french fries ‘chips’, so it can get a bit confusing, but then we clarify by calling them hot chips! You have to come visit me in London and try the fish and chips here. Absolutely delicious!
Thanks Alice- one of my goals is to visit London one day and I’d love to have the real thing 🙂
Everything IS better when it is fried! Although I am a fish lover, this recipe definitely takes it up a notch Jess 🙂 And if you can believe it, I had fish amd chips for the first time this year!!
Awesome Heather, that means I’m not the only one lol Thank you!
This recipe reminds me of Brighton!…Where, a few years ago, I had my last fish and chips…This is definitely something to try!!! Thank you
I’d LOVE to go to Brighton, I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. Thanks Serena 🙂
Ha ha, loved your post – just imagine that journey of discovery that you have already undertaken! I do love fish, though, and chips, too. And I’m quite keen to find out more about that ‘southern-style’ fish recipe you mentioned in passing!
Thanks Ginger, I’ll try to post it up sometime soon 😀
I love fish but I do have to be in the mood for it, and I can totally see how some people might not like it – no matter how good for you it is haha! I’m always in the mood for fish and chips, this looks delicious!
Thanks Michelle, I feel the exact same way about fish as you do 🙂
Wow, Jess! This looks so good! Your pictures are beautiful, too. I am the exact same way as you about fish. My husband and I do eat it to be healthy, but we don’t love it. But both of us really like fish and chips. I might need to buy a deep fryer so I can make your recipe.
Thanks Shari- honestly you don’t really need a deep fryer to make these- I just used mine because it keeps the oil at the right temperature for me so I don’t have to keep adjusting it as I cook. But a deep Dutch oven and a candy thermometer will work just as well!
That looks glorious!
Thank you Jessica!
Hehe, I love fish, but I can imagine even non-fish-lovers being converted by your gorgeous fish & chips Jess 😀 totally drooling here xx
Thanks Naina- I too was ‘briefly’ converted into liking fish after eating this 😉
Oh, Jess! You make me want those chips! 😀 and Im kinda on a diet..
Ooops- sorry about that. Just remember, no harm can be done from just looking lol Thank you 😉
Up until a few years ago I used to HATE fish with a passion but then my palette changed, literally, overnight and now I can’t get enough of it. I couldn’t tell you why. This looks absolutely marvellous, I’d eat this any day of the week!
Thank you- I’m waiting for my palate to change so that I love fish like that too 😉
I will eat fish in a restaurant, but it creeps me out when I cook it so I don’t much. My husband wishes I cooked it more often. I think I could cook and eat fish the way you’ve prepared it.
Thank you Julie- I think this recipe is perfect for people like us that aren’t huge ‘fish fans’ lol
This looks delicious Jess – can’t wait to try it. Fish and chips is one dish I always order when I am at a restaurant but never make at home. I guess I didn’t want my house to smell like fish for days – but this looks so amazing I am going to go for it!
Awesome Susan, I hope you like it. And yeah, I don’t really like the fish smell either, but I used a stove top DIY air freshner with orange peels, cinnamon stick and ginger and that cleared the odor right out, thank you 😉
All I need now is a beach and a beer and my life is complete. You’re amazing, awesome photos Jess. 😉
Thanks Bonnie, I was surprised at how much I liked this 😉
I love your post. I grew up by the sea and had access to all kinds of very fresh fish but I have friends who won’t eat it at all, it is just a matter of what you like 🙂
I am so impressed you made your own fish and chips, it is so plentiful here I would most likely not even think abut doing it myself, that is unless I could make mine look as good as yours! 🙂
I lovvvve fish. And this one is a total winner. I have fried fish for todays dinner and had i stumbled upon this recipe earlier i would have cooked it your way. But never mind there is some more sitting in the fridge for tomorrow. I will try it 👍
Awesome, let me know how it goes- thank you 😀