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Fish & Chips: Parker's Fish and Chips

Source of Recipe


From "Barefoot Contessa Family Style" by Ina Garten



List of Ingredients



• 3 pounds fresh cod fillets (choose thick ones)
  
• Kosher salt
  
• Freshly ground black pepper
  
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
  
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
  
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• 2 extra-large eggs
  
• Vegetable oil
  
• "Baked Chips" (recipe follows)
  






Instructions



1. Lay the cod fillets on a cutting board. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Cut the fillets in 1 ½- x 3-inch pieces.
   
   
2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ¾ teaspoon pepper. Whisk in 1 cup of water and then the two eggs.
   
   
3. Pour ½ inch of oil into a large (12-inch) frying pan and heat it to about 360 degrees. Dip each fillet into the batter, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Place it very carefully into the hot oil. Don't crowd the pieces. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil between 360 and 400 degrees. Cook the fish on each side for 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the "chips."
   
   Serves 6
   
   
   
   Baked Chips:
   
   These are so good that you shouldn't have to wait for fish and chips to make them. They're great any time you want to serve crisp potatoes without the frying. Especially when they're made with garlic and rosemary, I'll beat you can't eat just one!
   
   â—¦ 4 large baking potatoes, unpeeled
   â—¦ 4 tablespoons good olive oil
   â—¦ 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
   â—¦ ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
   â—¦ 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
   â—¦ 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
   
   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
   
   Scrub the potatoes, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut each half in thirds lengthwise. You'll have six long wedges from each potato. Place the potatoes on a sheet pan with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary. With clean hands, toss all the ingredients together, making sure the potatoes are covered with oil. Spread the potatoes in a single layer with one cut side down.
   
   Bake the potatoes for 30 to 35 minutes, turning to the other cut side after 20 minutes. Bake until they are lightly browned, crisp outside, and tender inside. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.
   
   Serves 6
   
   






Final Comments


• To keep hot for up to 20 minutes, line a baking sheet with paper towels and put the fish into a 200-degree oven.

• If you don't have fresh rosemary, these chips are delicious with just olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.