Beer Battered Fish and Chips with Smashed Peas

Peel and cut the potatoes into chips. Place in a large saucepan of salted water and bring to the boil. When the chips have softened slightly, drain and set aside until cool. Place the flour in a large bowl, add the chips and toss so they are completely coated.

Bring 2 cups of water to the boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the peas and cook for 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain. Once cooled, place in a bowl and roughly smash using the back of a fork or a potato masher. Mix in the garlic, chopped mint, basil, lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the oven to 160°C.

Heat 5cm of oil in a deep saucepan until it reaches 170°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, sprinkle a little flour into the oil, if it sizzles the oil is ready to use. Dust off any excess flour and gently drop the chips in batches into the oil. Fry for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a large baking tray and pop in the oven to keep warm. Keep the oil hot while you prepare the fish.

Whisk the flour, baking powder and beer together in a large bowl. Dip the fish fillets into the beer batter and let any excess batter drip off. Gently drop the fish fillets into the hot oil and fry for
3–4 minutes or until golden brown. Fry fish in small batches.

Serve fish and chips with smashed peas, lemon wedges, salt and pepper.