Recipes

[IamMrsG]

Mr. G and I have been wanting a good fish dinner while also wanting to avoid the Lenten crowds at the local church fish frys.  So I took matters into hand and, if I say so myself, it turned out quite well.  

Crispy Fried Fish

For 2 servings:

2 Wild caught Atlantic cod fillets (1/3 lb. per serving is sufficient)
~ 1 pint buttermilk
~ 1/4 cup cornstarch
~ ½ cup all-purpose flour
pinch salt
~1/4 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
~ 6 oz. Lager beer, chilled (important that it's cold)
Vegetable oil

Cover thawed cod fillets with cold buttermilk, keep chilled about an hour. Pat dry gently with paper towels.

Heat 3/4 - 1" of vegetable oil in a deep skillet until a piece of white bread dropped in it turns golden brown within a minute or two.  (Or 375º on a thermometer.)

Meanwhile, dredge both sides of fillets in cornstarch.

Batter: Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a pie plate. Stir in cold beer to form a batter. Add cod fillets, turning to coat both sides.

Carefully place the battered cod away from you into the hot oil. Fry, turning once, about 7-8 minutes total time.  

Drain on paper towels.

Serve with: cole slaw, French fries, tartar sauce (recipe follows) and corn on the cob.

Tartar Sauce

Measurements are suggestions. Taste and adjust to personal preference as you go.

Combine:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 - ½ cup dill pickles, diced
1 teaspoon - 1 Tablespoon capers, minced
1 - 2 teaspoon(s) Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons - 1 Tablespoon onion,  minced green onion or shallot (if using onion, grate on microplane)
1 - 2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Tobasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Optional: ½ teaspoon dried tarragon

Make in advance and chill, covered.

[ECBG]

Looks fantastic!

We use House Of Autry Fish Bredder.  It gives the lightest breading!  The hushpuppy and onion ring ones are great too.

[luvsbulldogs]

@IamMrsG

Thank you MrsG.  I have been looking for a good homemade fish fry recipe for some time now and this sounds really good.  Thanks for posting it.

Edited to say that I love the beer in the batter......thanks again!

[IamMrsG]

@luvsbulldogs  I do hope you enjoy this as much as DH and I did.  In fact, my DH complimented it again this morning.   

I apologize for so many approximations in the ingredient list.  I was pretty much "winging" it as I went along.

[chickenbutt]

Hey Mrs G!

Ooh, I want some.   Well, except for the whole mayonnaise thing.  hehe 

I've actually been craving fish lately and keep forgetting to get some.  I believe I have some Alaskan King salmon in the freezer.  Must dig it out.  

[IamMrsG]

@chickenbutt    Ooooh, salmon.  What time will dinner be ready?  

I won't sing for it (you should thank me), but I will wash the dishes afterwards.

[chickenbutt]

Well, I just finished doing some vacuum-sealing and making packets of veg for the bird so I never got to wherever (I have three freezers!) that salmon is.  So, it will probably just be a couple slices of cheese with some whole-grain crackers for dinner for me.  Maybe 3-4 bites of sorbet to follow.   I pretty much eat one to two course 'meals' anymore.  

Cleaning lady is tomorrow so I spend a bunch of time getting ready for her.   She drives me a little crazy because she's somewhat careless so I put a ton of stuff somewhere else until she's done and then I put everything back.  Bit of a PITA, but I'd rather do that than worry about her breaking my stuff (which has happened in the past).

PS:  I NEVER ask a guest to do any work, silly!   Your job is to have a nice time and enjoy the food.  Chickie does the work.  

[Peridot]

I too love a good fish fry made at home and over the years I have tried a lot of recipes and have had great results.  But I no longer want to hassle with the grease smell in the house for days, the mess and the clean up.  To me it is not worth it any longer.  We usually go ut for fish every Friday and plan or day (now that we are retired) to get to the place early enough to avoid the long waiting period. I want to enjoy my meal and not have to look forward to an hour of work after I eat.

Your recipe sounds great and so does the tartar sauce.  Thanks for posting it. And I applaude all of you who do take the time and effort to do a home made fish fry!!