Beer Battered Fish
Photography by Aaron McLean.
We tend not to deep-fry food very often these days, but properly cooked, battered fish is one of life’s pleasures. The crucial point is to have the oil at the correct temperature; if it isn’t hot enough the batter will be soggy and oily. What you want is a crisp, golden coating that seals in all the moisture of the fish.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
500 grams small fillets of gurnard
Batter
1 ¼ cups plain flour
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 x 330 ml bottle dark beer, (I used Guinness)
1 tablespoon canola oil
To cook
½ cup plain flour
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
canola oil
METHOD
Batter: Put the flour and salt in a large bowl and gradually whisk in the beer and oil to make a smooth batter.
To cook: Put 6 cm of canola oil in a heavy-based, medium-sized saucepan and heat to 180˚C on a sugar thermometer or until a piece of bread dropped into the oil turns golden within 30 seconds.
Cut the fish into 10 cm pieces and dry with kitchen towels. Put the flour in a shallow dish and season well. Working with 2-3 pieces of fish at a time, coat in the flour, shaking off the excess then dip into the batter letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Carefully place in the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes turning once during cooking. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish. Drain on kitchen towels and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Place on a wire rack in a warm oven while you cook the remaining fish. Serve with the Green Goddess Sauce or Lemon and Harissa Aioli
Related Content
latest issue:
Issue #123
Depending on where you live, spring can bring anything from warmer temperatures and rainy days, to hail, sleet and snow! Dish has you covered for all weather in our latest issue with everything from new season’s fresh asparagus to comforting fried chicken, three ways. With pizzas, dinners for two, recipes for entertaining, indulgent desserts, easy ‘make it tonight’ dishes, an extract from Olivia Galletly’s latest cookbook, fritters, and even a Mexican feast, this issue is jam-packed. With 100 recipes, this bumper issue is one not to be missed!