Sunday, August 7, 2011

Jamie Oliver's Fish and Chips

This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs we're celebrating Jamie's homeland by making British food, or Brit Bites.  With so many fun dishes to choose from I had a really hard time.  Then again, I have a really hard time making almost any decision lately.  So, I grilled my husband until he gave me an answer and let me just say....my husband really loves it when I ask him tons of questions, especially if they're right in a row. Ha!

Me: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding?
Tony: No.

Me: Bangers and Mash?
Tony: No.

Me: Really?  I thought you'd really go for Bangers and Mash?
Tony: No, I'm not in the mood for bangers today.

Me:  Okay, maybe you're hungry for breakfast.  How about crumpets?
Tony: No.

Me:  What about The Full Monty?
Tony:  I don't even know what you're saying to me right now.

Me: How about dessert?  Maybe an Eton Mess? 
Tony:  Why would I want to eat anything that's called a mess?

Me:  Okay, I'm totally giving up.  What about Fish and Chips?
Tony:  Oh yeah.  Yeah, let's definitely do fish and chips.

 Fish & Chips
Adapted from  Jamie Oliver via Food Network
Serves 4

For the chips:
3 3/4 pints (2 liters) vegetable oil (I used canola oil)
2 pounds floury potatoes, like russets, peeled and cut into large chips

For the Batter:
1 cup plain flour
1 cup beer
2 egg whites, whipped to soft peaks
Salt
4 (9 ounce/250 gram) fillets haddock or cod, skin on, and pin boned

Pour all the vegetable oil into a deep pan or deep fat fryer, and heat to 300F.  Blanch the cut potatoes in the oil until soft, but not colored, about 4 minutes.  Remove and drain.  Mix together the flour and the beer, then fold in the egg whites.  Turn up the heat of the oil to 350F.  Pat the fish off completely and make sure it's dry before dipping in the batter.  (This way you are sure the batter sticks to the fish).  Dip the fish in the batter and fry for a few minutes with the chips until golden brown.  Drain on kitchen paper and serve.

 
Notes/Results: Jamie's fish and chips is perfectly delicious with a beautiful beer batter that makes the fish all crispy and crunchy.  I think one of the tricks to this recipe is making the batter about 30 minutes ahead of time and allowing it to set and thicken in the fridge.  Also, it's pretty important to make sure that your fish is completely dry before dipping it in the batter or else all the batter will just slide right off the fish.  We really enjoyed this meal and the next time I make fish and chips I will definitely use this recipe again, maybe with a little Cajun seasoning added to the batter or a little Tabasco thrown in, just to spice things up a bit!

Theme: Brit Bites

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21 comments:

  1. NKPAugust 7, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Mmm, I have the perfect side for this! I really want to make this fish and chips, looks absolutely delicious. We are on the hunt for a good fish monger.

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  2. melodie1974August 7, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Oh my! This looks so good. Did you make it in a pan or a deep fat fryer? I don't have one and was wondering what kind of pan you used. I'm always a bit scared of frying things up.

    (I loved the dialogue between you and your husband ;-) )

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  3. Michelle BAugust 7, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    I've never had true fish and chips. We don't tend to fry fish using a batter. It's always the cornmeal thing. But beer batter tempts me. Your photos tempt me. And I haven't fried anything in ages, so I wouldn't even feel guilty about making this.

    Great conversation too. I don't even know what you're saying to me...too funny!

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  4. Brownieville GirlAugust 7, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Looks delicious - not healthy but all the better for that!!!

    Have you come across a recipe for mushy peas to go with the fish and chips? Delicious!

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  5. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    LOL, loved the conversation! I get so excited when I see Jamie recipes now since I bought his cookbook. I never make fish and chips at home because I don't know what to do with all that oil after. I'll come to your house next time you make them. :o) Oh, love those baskets you have!

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  6. Deb in HawaiiAugust 7, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Mmm... this is definitely a crave-worthy dish. That batter looks so light and crunchy. An excellent pick!;-)

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  7. FoodiewifeAugust 7, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Tony sounds like my husband. He pretty much will eat whatever I make, and has a hard time making a decision. I have one fish 'n chips recipe posted, but I'm up for trying another version. Great tips, too. I love Jamie Oliver, so I'll bookmark this one for the next time I see some fresh good white fish at the market.

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  8. JoanneAugust 7, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    I have to say, I think he made a pretty good choice. These would make any Brit proud.

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  9. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    I love fish and chips, havnt had it for awhile and now I have the craving.

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  10. chow and chatterAugust 7, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    these look awesome and adore the conversation between u and your hubby he he

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  11. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Fish and chips is one of my all time favourites, but I haven't had it in a long time. This post is making me crave some.
    *kisses* HH

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  12. TinaAugust 8, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Oh Kim, the fish has that amazinglhy light looking batter, like what we had in Ireland and England and LOVED so much!! Save me a seat at THAT dinner table! (elbowing people out of the way)

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  13. teresaAugust 8, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    your dialogue totally had me giggling, we've been there so many times! this is what my husband would have chosen too. if i ever make it to england, this will be the first thing i try!

    yours look just delicious!

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  14. VelvaAugust 8, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I really enjoyed the discussion. The fish and chips were a really good choice, Very nice.

    Velva

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  15. MeredithAugust 8, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    I will be making this very soon. My husband would call his British friend just to brag. Now I have a recipe to make and brag about thanks,this looks so good.

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  16. Roz | La Bella Vita CucinaAugust 9, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    I just love fish 'n chips....haven't had them in so long, but never have had them home-made like this, Kim.. They look so crisp and delish!

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  17. AnonymousAugust 9, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I could go for this again. it was yummy.
    Tony

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  18. ReeniAugust 9, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Yes, please! I would pick this too! It's always a winner. Your fish looks so light and perfectly fried. My mouth is watering like crazy for it!

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  19. ReeniAugust 9, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    And that's so cute your husband left you a comment!

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  20. UnknownAugust 11, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Oooo book-marking this!

    I adore Jamie Oliver's recipes. I am cooking through his "Ministry of Food" at the minute, remarkable just how many of his recipes are reproduced online.
    What I have done so far: http://irishwishesarespecial.blogspot.com/search/label/%22Ministry%20of%20Food%22

    Was making the batter difficult? I've never attempted that before.

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  21. Dentists 90048August 12, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    You know, I've never tried making homemade fish and chips before, but this just looks too good to pass up! I might have to give it a shot. :)

    @}---Rosie

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