BEER-BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS

Beer-Battered Fish and Chips image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 large russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rice flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 12-ounce bottle lager, chilled
1 1/2 pounds skinless Pacific cod fillet (in one piece), cut into 12 pieces
Malt vinegar and lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

Set a colander in a large bowl of ice water. Slice the potatoes lengthwise 1/4 inch thick, then stack the slices and cut into 1/4-inch-thick sticks, adding them to the ice water as you work. Refrigerate 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Lift the colander out of the ice water, rinse the potatoes well and pat very dry.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat 4 inches vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven until a deep-fry thermometer registers 280 degrees F. Add half of the potatoes; fry until tender but still colorless, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining potatoes. Increase the oil temperature to 365 degrees F.
Whisk 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, the rice flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt and the cayenne in a large bowl. Whisk in the beer until mostly smooth. Let sit 5 minutes to thicken.
Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Season the fish with salt. Working in two batches, dredge the fish in the remaining 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, then dip in the beer batter, letting the excess drip off. Fry until crisp and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the rack; sprinkle with salt. Keep warm in the oven.
Increase the oil temperature to 380 degrees F. Working in two batches, fry the potatoes again until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt. Serve the fish and chips with malt vinegar and lemon wedges.