Traditional Fish And Chips Recipes

TRADITIONAL BRITISH FISH AND CHIPS

Steps:

• For the twice-cooked chips: Peel the potatoes and cut them into approximately 5/8-inch-thick chips (i.e. 5/8-by-5/8-inch-by-potato length). Store them in water.
• Fill a large pot halfway with the oil or fill a deep-fat fryer with oil. Heat to 275 degrees F. Thoroughly drain the chips and add them to the oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chips until they are soft enough to squeeze but not yet browned, about 10 minutes. Once all the chips have been blanched, spread them on a sheet tray and store them in the fridge overnight.
• When ready to serve, heat the oil to 375 degrees F and fry the blanched chips, in batches if necessary, until golden brown and crispy on the outside and still fluffy on the inside, about 5 minutes.
• For the seasoned flour: Mix the flour, salt and black pepper in a large bowl and set aside.
• For the beer batter: Thoroughly mix the flour, paprika and salt in a large bowl. Whilst constantly whisking, add enough beer to stiffen up the mix. Whilst still continuing to whisk, add cold water until the batter resembles heavy cream consistency and contains no lumps.
• For the fish: Fill a large pot halfway with oil or fill a deep-fat fryer with oil. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F. Fillet the fish into six 8-ounce portions, removing any bones, skin or blood lines that are present. Dip the fish into the seasoned flour, tapping off any excess. Dip the fish into the beer batter, briefly allow the batter to drain off, and then gently place the fish into the oil, allowing the fish to float away from you. Cook, in batches if necessary, until golden brown and trying to float, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove the fish from the oil with a spatula and allow to drain on a cooling rack before serving on a bed of chips with lashings of kosher salt and malt vinegar.

TRADITIONAL FISH AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a countertop deep-fryer to 250 degrees F.
• Rinse the potatoes in cold water and pat each chip with paper towels until absolutely dry. Poach the chips in the oil until cooked but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Scoop up the chips, shake off the excess oil and set aside. Turn up the heat on the fryer to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, vinegar and 3 heaping tablespoons salt until pasty. Add 2 cups water and whisk until there are no lumps. Refrigerate the batter for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Fill a second bowl with flour and season with salt. Sprinkle the fish fillets on both sides with salt and pepper, then dredge in the flour, making sure each fillet is completely covered.
• Working in batches, shake off the excess flour from the fillets and dip them into the cooled batter. Let excess batter drip back into the bowl before gently lowering the fillets into the fryer. Fry until the batter is golden brown and the fish is just cooked through but still tender and juicy, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and transfer to the oven to keep warm.
• When all the fillets are cooked, crisp the chips in the fryer until golden brown. Carefully shake off the excess oil and season immediately with salt.
• Serve the fish and chips with malt vinegar and tartar sauce on the side.

CLASSIC FISH AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a medium-size bowl of cold water. In a separate medium-size mixing bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the milk and egg; stir until the mixture is smooth. Let mixture stand for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oil in a large pot or electric skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry the potatoes in the hot oil until they are tender. Drain them on paper towels.
• Dredge the fish in the batter, one piece at a time, and place them in the hot oil. Fry until the fish is golden brown. If necessary, increase the heat to maintain the 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) temperature. Drain well on paper towels.
• Fry the potatoes again for 1 to 2 minutes for added crispness.