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Old 04-06-2009, 23:43
StressMonkey
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Sick of paying over a tenner for Fish and chips for two adults and a child that arn't all that, I bought a deep fat fryer with a mind to do my own (and perhaps at some point Tempura and deep fried courgette. Perhaps even donuts.)

Tonight was the first ever time I have ever used a deep fat fryer.

The chips actually turned out pretty good.

The fish however wasn't impressive.

Youngest got the best bits (I did goujons for him) but I and OH had weird batter - sort of solid, stodgy and uncooked in parts. The fish was perfection if you pealed the batter off

Any tips?
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Old 05-06-2009, 03:17
degsyhufc
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There are many factors to this. I'm in the same boat. I like to experiment with it myself and there are so many routes to go down.

What oil to use?
Beer batter?
Soda water?

This this the batter I used last Sunday (for 1 cod loin - about 200g).
1 teaspoon of cornflour
3-4 teaspoons of plain flour
pinch of salt
pinch of paprika
couple of glugs of boddingtons (ale would be best but I have even used lager in the past) to mix to double cream consistency


It worked ok, but was a little stodgy. It may have been a little thick as I compensated as when I first dipped the fish into it it looked too thin.


Rick Stein said beer is not required and baking powder is sufficient to get the lightness and crispiness.
Heston used vodka


You need the oil at medium hot (170/180) as you need the fish to be cooked, but also the batter to be cooked and golden.
Also, remove the basket as the fish/batter will stick when you drop it in. Use a fishslice or L shaped masher to keep the fish suspended in the oil until it can support itself.


And that was just last weeks attempt It works out diffentely every time as i'm still tinkering.


I have about 5 versions of cooking chips
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Old 05-06-2009, 07:05
TommyGavin76
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Where's your chip shop? I can get a mini fish (which isn't that mini) and chips for £3.
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Old 05-06-2009, 13:53
RootsFran
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Use sparkling water in the batter mix, makes it lovely and crispy.
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Old 05-06-2009, 13:56
degsyhufc
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Where's your chip shop? I can get a mini fish (which isn't that mini) and chips for £3.
We call that a Half Lot. Generally around £2/£2.50.

It's always nice to make your own once in a while
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Old 05-06-2009, 13:56
RAINBOWGIRL22
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Where's your chip shop? I can get a mini fish (which isn't that mini) and chips for £3.
Indeed even in central London I can get dinner for two for less than £10
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Old 05-06-2009, 13:59
degsyhufc
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Indeed even in central London I can get dinner for two for less than £10
I remember an episode of a show called Take On The Takeaway where an order of Fish & Chips twice came to about £13

The most i've paid recently was £4.30. They had just put up the prices due to food costs etc.

As I said above, I usually get a Half Lot for under £3. Sometimes you get a couple of off cuts but usually it is just a smaller fish. If you get a good shop then you will get a decent meal and save a lot of money over a full fish & chips.
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Old 05-06-2009, 14:07
simmons_5251
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at my local u get regular chips £1.25 and medium fish cod/haddock £2.50

they have won awards, and are the best chip shop in the south apparently

they had won best fish and chip shop in london for like 3 years running, and best chipping in the south west for 2 years


, i dont like to brag or anything though
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Old 05-06-2009, 17:58
StressMonkey
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Few ideas there Thanks. I'll have to experiment

For the three of us, 2x Mini Fish, 1 full fish & 2 x chips comes to £10.60. There are cheaper places in town - the closest chippy is a lot cheaper but the food is disgusting.

Done at home, about a six quid.

And my chips were better
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Old 05-06-2009, 18:58
ontheloop54
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Tempura batter works a treat..you can buy it in Tesco/Sainsbury's...just add iced water

Made some lovely tempura cod and veg...lovely with sweet chilli sauce
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Old 05-06-2009, 21:25
Katia Polletin
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Not the closest chip shop to us, though we have several, but only a few minutes away, mini-fish and chips is £1 and chicken and chips is £1

For £2.30 you can have mini-fish, donner meat, chips and can of pop. There's others for £1, £1.30, £1.50, £2, £2.30.

I do like cooking my own fish, I just use a simple batter of flour and water with a few herbs and spices (which vary).
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Old 07-06-2009, 00:41
player1
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anyone know an approximate calorie count for a "typical" fish supper - 2 fish fillets and a portion of chips ? I am estimating around 1000...too high / low ? ( I know I shouldn't care as its an occasional treat but I'm curious ! )
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Old 07-06-2009, 01:22
summerain
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at my local u get regular chips £1.25 and medium fish cod/haddock £2.50

they have won awards, and are the best chip shop in the south apparently

they had won best fish and chip shop in london for like 3 years running, and best chipping in the south west for 2 years


, i dont like to brag or anything though
There are 2 chippys in my town that claim to have won awards for being the best chippy in the South West! I'm a bit suspicious (they are quite good though)
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Old 07-06-2009, 01:26
degsyhufc
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anyone know an approximate calorie count for a "typical" fish supper - 2 fish fillets and a portion of chips ? I am estimating around 1000...too high / low ? ( I know I shouldn't care as its an occasional treat but I'm curious ! )
I think it depends on the batter. Some say that it's actually slightly healthy as the fish is stemed in the batter and if it is cooked quickly then you don't get much fat.


I'm not to bothered with that.. Chips in dripping all the way
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Old 07-06-2009, 02:02
brillopad
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I think it depends on the batter. Some say that it's actually slightly healthy as the fish is stemed in the batter and if it is cooked quickly then you don't get much fat.


I'm not to bothered with that.. Chips in dripping all the way
I used to use half plain flour + half self raising, salt & lemon juice...mixed till it looked too thin.

Dripping - oh yes - the oils used these days have no flavour at all.

Best chips I ever had were made from King Edwards...last fry of the night... we'd clear up and then chuck them back in hot dripping...yummy.
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Old 07-06-2009, 02:50
Rossall
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I'm not to bothered with that.. Chips in dripping all the way
....to the local cardiac unit.
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Old 08-06-2009, 01:10
cream cookie
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Where's your chip shop? I can get a mini fish (which isn't that mini) and chips for £3.
We call ours a supperette...
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Old 09-06-2009, 20:29
littlemissorrow
 
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Flip - I wish chippies were as cheap round here - £5 is about average for a fish supper
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Old 10-06-2009, 16:33
c1888
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use beef driping
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Old 10-06-2009, 16:52
dids858
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Your talking nearly £7 for fish & chips in London back in yorkshire I pay about £3.50
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Old 11-06-2009, 11:54
Phunkles
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£3.30 for a fish and £1.70 for chips :|
Thats without peas or curry sauce

Cheaper to get a chinese meal at my local
And last time I got fish and chips the fish was gross all chewy and stringy
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Old 11-07-2009, 23:07
Bedsit Bob
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I've just been discussing this very subject here.
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