FRIED FLUKE PO'BOYS

Fried Fluke Po'boys image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Peanut or vegetable oil, for deep-frying
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay
1 teaspoon baking soda
Kosher salt
1 1/2 bottles beer, cold
Four 8-ounce fluke fillets, skinned
4 standard po'boy rolls
Tartar Sauce, for spreading, recipe follows
Lettuce, shredded, for serving
Pickles, thinly sliced on the bias, for serving
Thinly sliced plum tomatoes, for serving
Very thinly sliced red onions, for serving
1 cup mayonnaise
1 shallot, finely diced
3/4 cup finely chopped cornichons
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon malt vinegar
Kosher salt

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, seafood seasoning, baking soda and a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and gently stir in the beer. Mix with a fork until just combined. Dip the fish fillets in the batter, coating the fish generously.
Fry the fish: Start by dipping about one-third to one-half of a fillet into the oil and wait for the batter to start puffing before sliding the rest of the fillet in. Fry the battered fillets until golden brown and crispy, turning once, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels, blotting excess oil. Arrange the fish on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack, and hold in the oven until serving.
Slice the po'boy rolls lengthwise almost three-quarters of the way through and scoop out some of the insides. Schmear the rolls with tartar sauce. Add the fried fish and top with some lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and red onion. Slice the sandwich in half on the bias before serving.
Combine the mayonnaise, shallots, cornichons, mustard, celery salt, cayenne and malt vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt, if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.