Mom’s Version of Fish and Chips

Even before I moved to London, I knew about a popular English dish called fish and chips.  But I had never seen it, let alone tasted it.  In England we tended to hang out with other Americans, and they were constantly preoccupied with locating as many American foods and restaurant chains as possible. 

We were more adventurous.
Nevertheless, it took us several years to locate an authentic British fish and chips shop in central London.  By then we had English friends with cars.  One of them invited us to her house for a fish and chips dinner.  Once there we drove with her to the fish and chips shop to pick up her order. 

The place, whose name I have long forgotten, was on a side street behind one of London’s train stations.  What I do remember is the take-out box full of fried fish and newspapers folded into cones and filled with hot French fries.

Sadly we never went there on our own because it was too far to walk to and we didn’t have a car.  I tried making fish and chips at home, but the fish was greasy and unappetizing.  Eventually we moved to Los Angeles, and I forgot about this dish—until I saw a bag of frozen cod filets at Costco.  Last night I made my own version of fish and chips.  The chips were actually home fries, and the fish pieces were smaller than the London version.  But everything tasted good.  Best of all, dinner brought back some great memories.

Fish and Chips – serves 2

French fries or home fries

3/4 pounds cod filets

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup water

1 large egg

1 tablespoon peanut oil + more if needed

French fries or home fries

If you are serving French fries or home fries, cook them first and keep them hot in the oven at 350 degrees.

Cut the cod filets into 1-inch strips and set aside.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix with a fork.  Add the water and eggs and stir until well-combined.  Add the cod filets to the flour mixture and stir until they are fully coated.   

Add peanut oil to a large frying pan and heat over medium-high heat until the pan is very hot, about 2 minutes.  Add the cod strips and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they have begun to brown on the bottom.  Gently turn them over and cook for another 5 minutes.  

Check to see if the strips are fully cooked by sticking a fork into the largest strip and gently pulling it partly open. The inside should be firm and white.  Serve immediately with French fries or home fries.

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