I like potatoes, well actually the more I think about it I love them, so versatile and easy to cook with. I really can't think of anything that doesn't taste good that's made with potatoes. I mean fist there is the methods of cooking, you can bake, boil or fry and leaves a lot of openings. A nice baked potatoes with some butter and salad? Personally my favorite is the good old fry, I don't think it can be beaten, sure it's not all that healthy but since when did things that are "good for you" taste as good as those that don't.
Mmmm just think...potato gems, hash browns, triangles, croquets, cakes, wedges, mashies and of course chips who are in a league of their own. So many different types, French fries, thick cut, beer battered, steak cut, wedge style, seasoned....mmm chippies. Anyhow while we are on the subject (or more me) I thought I'd include a recipe for you to knock up becuase nothing says it's Friday night better than fish and chips, and this recipe, which calls for beer in the batter, is just the thing to get you in the mood for the weekend.
20 minutes
Cooking Time
60 minutes
Ingredients (serves 4)
* 4 large (about 200g each) unpeeled desiree potatoes, cut into wedges
* 2 tsp olive oil
* 225g (1 1/2 cups) self-raising flour
* 1 egg, lightly whisked
* 375ml (1 1/2 cups) chilled light beer
* Salt & freshly ground black pepper
* Vegetable oil, to deep-fry
* 8 (about 120g each) white fish fillets (such as flathead or whiting)
* Sea salt flakes, to serve
* Lemon wedges, to serve
*
Tartare sauce
* 1 egg yolk
* 1 tbs fresh lemon juice
* 2 tsp mustard powder
* 250ml (1 cup) light olive oil
* 2 tbs drained capers, finely chopped
* 8 baby gherkins (cornichons), finely chopped
* 2 green shallots, ends trimmed, finely chopped
* 2 tbs finely chopped fresh continental parsley
* 1 tbs finely chopped fresh dill
* 2 tbs finely chopped fresh chives
* Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place potato on tray. Drizzle with olive oil. Cook in oven, turning occasionally, for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Meanwhile, place flour in a bowl. Add the egg and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in the beer until batter is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
3. To make the tartare sauce, place the egg yolk, lemon juice and mustard powder in the bowl of a food processor and process until mixture thickens. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin steady stream until mixture is creamy. Transfer to a bowl. Add capers, gherkin, shallot, parsley, dill and chives and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add enough vegetable oil to a large saucepan to reach a depth of 8cm. Heat to 190°C over high heat (when oil is ready a cube of bread will turn golden brown in 10 seconds). Dip 2 pieces of fish, 1 at a time, into batter to coat. Drain off excess. Deep-fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat, in 3 more batches, with remaining fish and batter, reheating oil between batches.
5. Divide fish and chips among serving plates. Season with sea salt flakes. Serve with tartare sauce, lemon wedges and don't forget a nice crisp beer!