Easy Fish and Chips

Will requested fish and chips for supper tonight.  Since we don't have a deep fryer, I needed to find a recipe for fish that would satisfy his need for some serious breading in a frying pan.  Enter Chef Michael Smith's Fast Flavours cookbook.  This recipe for whole wheat fish was yummy!  We used Atlantic cod - purchased at Costco, hailing from Norway.  We did not make homemade tartar sauce, but we will next time.  The "chips" recipe is adapted from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.  Easy, healthy and tasty.  Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Fish

1⁄2 cup whole-wheat flour 

1 tablespoon of your favourite spice blend, Old Bay Seasoning, curry powder, or chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
Lots of freshly ground pepper
4 to 6 skinless white fish fillets
a splash or two of vegetable oil
1 heaping tablespoon butter

Preheat your favourite large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.  Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, spice blend, salt, and pepper, evenly distributing the lighter powders amidst the coarser ones.  Dredge a fish fillet in the seasoned flour, turning and evenly coating it in a light crust.  Place the dredged fillet on a dry work surface while you finish dredging the others.

Pour a generous splash of oil into the hot pan, swirling and coating the bottom with an even film. Spoon the butter into the centre of the oil, swirling gently as it melts, foams, and lightly browns. Place the crusted fish fillets in the pan. Gently shiver and shake the pan as the first side browns evenly, 4 or 5 minutes. With a thin spatula, firmly and confidently flip each fillet. Continue cooking until the second side is equally browned and delicious, 3 or 4 minutes. 

Homemade Fries

potatoes

olive oil

kosher salt & pepper

any other seasonings you desire

Preheat your oven to 400F. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil or coat with olive oil spray.

Cut your potatoes into fry-sized wedges. Plunge them in a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a simmer and let them cook just a few of minutes until they are not-quite fork tender (a fork should be able to pierce the potato, but not all the way through).

Using a slotted spoon, remove potatoes from the water onto a clean kitchen towel.  Dry thoroughly and transfer to the baking sheet.  Toss with another tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake your french fries for 50-55 minutes, checking at the halfway point.