Friday Fish & Chips

Last nights menu was consisted of beer battered fish and chips. I also made peas to offset a little of my guilt for making a fried feast! This is one meal that I can count on everyone eating! This meal also ranks at the top of the messy scale! It starts with peeling potatoes and ends with frying fish. My youngest son, Colin stepped in again and learned how to peel potatoes and use the vegetable cutter. That was about all he could do because I don't like the boys to be in be kitchen when I fry. One of my irrational mom fears is somebody getting burned by hot oil! For the French fries, I soak them for an hour in cold water, changing the water half way bough the soak.

Beer Battered Fish & Chips:
(Serves 6)

6 cups vegetable oil
6 large baking potatoes, cut into French fry slices
1 (12 oz) bottle beer
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 lbs cod or other mild white fish. Cut filets in half
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + extra for sprinkling on fries
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:
Soak potatoes slices in cold water for an hour. Change the water after 30 minutes to remove the starch. Heat oil to 275*. Fry potatoes in batches for 3-4 minutes removing with a slotted spoon. Place the soft fries on a paper towel lined tray. After cooking all the fries, heat the oil up to 375*. Fry the potatoes a second time for 4-5 minutes. Drain on clean paper towels nd sprinkle ith kosher salt. Hold in low oven to keep warm while cooking the fish.

In a large bowl, pour in 1 bottle of beer. Sift 1 1/2 cups flour into the bowl, whisking in gently until just combined, stir in salt, pepper and garlic powder. Pat fish dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper and coat the fish in the beer batter. Dredge the pieces of fish in 1/2 cup of remaining flour and slide into oil as coated. Fry fish, turning over frequently, until deep golden and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Fry remaining fish in batches, returning oil to 375 degrees F between batches.