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| Photo: Delish Restaurant Fied Fish |
Fried fish and chips (a/k/a french fries) are a favorite meal of mine when eating out. I grew up in a town where you could order scrumptious fried fish and fries in many places from seafood restaurants to Catholic parishes and the American League. It was a cheap eat! For this reason, we never made it at home.
Surprisingly, it's harder to find good fish and chips in Manhattan although we are surrounded by water ... and when you do find it, it can be expensive.
In August I discovered just how easy it is to make homemade fish and chips. I defrosted 1 pound of catfish filets, but you can use whitefish or your favorite mild fish. I've made it 3 times already and will publish my recipe so you and I can return here to make it again. (After 3 Fridays, I don't wish to keep reinventing the wheel!):
Fish and Chips
Ingredients for the Baked "Fried'' Catfish
16 oz of catfish filets 
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2/3 cup cornmeal (I have sometimes mixed cornmeal with bread crumbs, but the cornmeal is all you need.)
1 1/2 teaspoons of Zatarain's Creole Seasoning (or salt)
Sprinkle of garlic powder
12 turns (1/2 teaspoon) of the black pepper mill
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1 tablespoon Zatarain's Crab Boil seasoning (Omit if you don't have it.)
Directions:
1) Pour the all-purpose flour into a bowl (or onto a big plate) and roll the fish filets in it.
2) Scramble the eggs and add the lemon juice in a bowl and dip the fish into the egg mixture.
3) Next coat the filets of fish with cornmeal and spices.
4) Lay on a cookie sheet (I use a non-stick silicone mat) but you can butter the pan, or spray with non-stick butter or olive oil to keep from sticking.
Ingredients for the French Fries
4 long potatoes, cut lengthwise
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt or Creole salt
Black pepper to taste
Directions:
1) Toss the raw potatoes into a bowl.
2) Coat with a tablespoon of olive oil and salt, pepper and spice to taste.
3) Line the raw fries on a cookie sheet.
4) Place the trays of fish and french fries into a preheated 425 degrees F oven. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until both are cooked and golden brown.
Alternately, if you don't mind the cleanup or calories, you can deep fry your fish and fries in very hot vegetable oil ... for 5 - 8 minutes.
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| Reheated ... browner but still delicious. Steak fries stay moist and crispy the 2nd time around. |
When I moved to New York City, the meal I missed the most was fried fish with french fries. So ingrained was it to eat out, I never tried making fish and chips at home. It's so simple. Better late than never. Don't forget the ketchup or tartar sauce. (I'm happy with ketchup.)
You may also enjoy:
with easy-to-prepare summer food and an icy summer drink? I love a great burger grilled to perfection, with just a touch of coarse salt, pepper and maybe a sprinkle of Worcestershire sauce, plus all the fixings like purple onion, romaine lettuce, pickles and a slice of tomato. The trick to a great burger is, don't mess with it. Form a loose patty, flop it on one side and don't touch it until it's brown and ready to flip over on the other side. When both sides are done, slap it on your warmed bun. Pair it with golden brown french fries, if you wish. I cut up fresh potatoes, brush them with olive oil and a dash of salt and bake them until crispy. My condiments of choice are good ole American ketchup and freshly ground pepper. Usually I'll also prepare a quick salad consisting of: romaine lettuce, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and a vinaigrette dressing. Or some sides, like grilled vegetables, baked beans, or corn on the cob. Simple, satisfying and flavorful.