Classic Fish and Chips

Ingredients

For the Fish:

• 7 tablespoons flour, divided

• 7 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• Sea salt, to taste

• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1/3 cup dark beer, cold

• 1/3 cup sparkling water, cold

• 4 (6-ounce) California Halibut Fillets

For the Chips:

• 2 pounds potatoes, peeled

• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix 5 tablespoons of flour with the cornstarch and baking powder. Season lightly with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Using a fork to whisk continuously, add the beer and the sparkling water to the flour mixture and continue mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter. Place the batter in the fridge to rest for between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

3. Cut the potatoes into a little less than 1/2-inch-thick slices, then slice these into 1/2-inch-wide chips. Place the chips into a colander and rinse under cold running water.

4. Place the washed chips into a pan of cold water. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Drain carefully through a colander, then dry with paper towels. Keep in the fridge covered with paper towels until needed.

6. Lay the fish fillets on a paper towel and pat dry. Season lightly with sea salt.

7. Heat the oil to 350 F in a deep-fat fryer or large, deep saucepan. Fry the chips a few handfuls at a time for about 2 minutes. Do not brown them. Once the chips are slightly cooked, remove them from the oil and drain. Keep to one side.

8. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour into a shallow bowl. Toss each fish fillet in the flour and shake off any excess.

9. Dip the fish into the batter, coating the entire fillet.

10. Check that the oil temperature is still 350 F. Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 8 minutes, or until the batter is crisp and golden, turning the fillets from time to time with a large slotted spoon.

11. Once cooked, remove the fillets from the hot oil and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt.

12. Increase the temperature of the oil to 400 F, then cook the chips until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain. Season with salt.

13. Serve immediately with the hot fish accompanied by your favorite condiment.