Step-by-step fish & chips

Our crisp-battered flathead fillets and rosemary potato wedges will win over the entire family.

You will need
Serves 4

4 medium (about 650g) desiree potatoes
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs chopped rosemary
12/3 cups (250g) self-raising flour
1 cup (250ml) cold beer (such as VB or Carlton Cold)
½ cup (125ml) cold water (approximately)
Vegetable or canola oil, to deep-fry
8 small (about 700g) flathead fillets (or other boneless white fish)
Lemon wedges, to serve
Green salad leaves, to serve

1. Preheat oven to 250°C. Cut unpeeled potatoes into thin wedges (about 10-15mm thick). Place potato in a medium bowl with olive oil and rosemary. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and gently toss to combine. Arrange potato on two greased oven trays. Bake, swapping tray positions halfway through cooking, for 30 minutes or until brown and crisp.
2. Meanwhile, sift flour into a medium bowl. Use a whisk to gradually whisk in beer and enough water to form a batter the consistency of thickened cream. Whisk until smooth (do not overbeat). Set aside for 20 minutes to rest. 
3. Place enough oil in a large, deep saucepan or wok to create a depth of 7cm. Place over medium heat until 180°C (to test when oil is ready, a cube of bread will turn golden brown in 20 seconds). Dip one fish fillet in batter and carefully lower into hot oil. You may only be able to cook 2 to 3 at a time. Cook, turning occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat in three more batches with remaining batter and fish, reheating oil between batches. 
4. Place fish and chips on serving plates. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and salad leaves, if desired.

Tips and tricks

• If you don’t have a deep fryer, a wide, shallow wok is ideal for deep-frying.
• This recipe’s batter is also good with other seafood, such as prawns, or vegies such as zucchini flowers. For variety, add ground spices such as cumin.
• Cooled leftover deep-frying oil can be strained through a fine sieve and reused a further 1 to 2 times.
• For tartare sauce, mix 1 cup of egg mayonnaise with 1 tbs lemon juice, 1 tbs each of finely chopped red onion, gherkin, capers and parsley.

Liquid amber

Which beer is best with fish and chips? For a classic taste, serve Victoria Bitter (VB) or Carlton Draught. Refined tastebuds will enjoy Stella Artois, while Pure Blonde, a full-strength beer low in carbohydrates, is the perfect option for those watching their waistlines.

Recipe & food preparation: Cynthia Black   Photography: Andrew Lehmann   Styling: Michelle Noerianto.