Recently, a good friend gave a huge gift basket full of British goodies so I decided to try British foods for the first time!
The recipe for the fish and chips was modified from a Cooks Illustrated recipe. I added additional spices that were not in the original recipe. I did not make the chips, and instead just used frozen fries that I prepared in the air fryer.
1 1/2 lbs cod fillet
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp black pepper
2 TBS salt
1 1/2 cups beer
1 tsp baking powder
Reduce heat to medium-high, add remaining quart of oil, and heat oil to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, thoroughly dry fish with paper towels and dredge each piece in flour mixture on baking sheet; transfer pieces to wire rack, shaking off excess flour. Add 1 1/4 cups beer to flour mixture in mixing bowl and stir until mixture is just combined (batter will be lumpy). Add remaining beer as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until batter falls from whisk in thin, steady stream and leaves faint trail across surface of batter. Using tongs, dip 1 piece fish in batter and let excess run off, shaking gently. Place battered fish back onto baking sheet with flour mixture and turn to coat both sides. Repeat with remaining fish, keeping pieces in single layer on baking sheet.
When oil reaches 375 degrees, increase heat to high and add battered fish to oil with tongs, gently shaking off excess flour. Fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer fish to thick paper bag or paper towels to drain. *Instead of keeping the oil at 375, I kept the temp at 350 throughout the frying.