Wondering how battered fish is been prepared? do not worry, I will be showing you how. Who else hates the smell of fish? I grew up to dislike fish because it smells alive and fresh to me, or let’s say bloody, I sometimes get irritated whenever my mum insists that I wash fish. I didn’t eat any meal prepared with fish, there is always something specially made for me because I won’t eat fish stew, soup or rice.
As I grew up my mum started trying new methods of cooking food with fish, she dries the fish so it doesn’t smell or look fresh to me, I sometimes manage to eat them but I just know that deep down I do not like eating fish. Fried fish is so manageable for those who do not like fish, but battered fish is much better but Beer Battered Fish is the best! I ate more when it is battered, so I guess you should try this pattern of preparing fish, I am certain you would love it.
It is a very simple method of preparing your fish, you only have to use the right ingredients and follow the instruction below on how to make battered fish.
Ingredients for Beer Battered Fish
- 500g (1.1 lbs) Fish
- One can of Beer
- 10 tablespoons plain (all purpose) flour
- Seasoning (to taste)
- 1 medium onion (for frying)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Notes on the ingredients for preparing battered fish
- You will not use up the whole can of beer, just enough to make the flour mixture like pancake batter.
- The carbonation in the beer makes the batter light and crisp. The beer flavour gives the batter a nice taste which works well with the fish. I don’t know how to adequately explain this because some things are better experienced than read about.
- You can also use sparkling/carbonated/gaseous water to achieve the light and crispy effect but be rest assured you are not getting the same taste. The salt in gaseous water may even ruin the taste.
- The alcohol in the beer escapes during frying hence this snack is alcohol free. You can use non-alcoholic beers to be completely sure.
- You can prepare this small chop with your favourite soft fish with soft bones such as Mackerel (Titus), Cord, Panga, Pollock etc.
- Use your favourite seasoning. I only use stock cubes, ground cayenne pepper and salt.
How to make Battered fish
- Cut the fish into thin slices, say 1 cm thick. You want the fish to be done by the time the batter is crispy.
- Cut the onion into big chunks.
- Crush the stock cubes and mix with the ground pepper.
- Season 2 tablespoons of flour with the stock cube/pepper mix. Set aside.
- Season the fish with the same mix and set aside.
- Set some vegetable oil on the stove to heat up. The oil should be 2 to 3 inches deep.
- Put the remaining flour in a separate bowl. Add some of the seasoning mentioned above.
- Add small quantities of beer at a time to the seasoned flour and mix as you go till you get a light flowing batter similar to pancake batter.
- When the oil is hot, dab a piece of fish in the seasoned flour making sure that the flour covers all the fish. This helps more batter adhere to the fish.
- Dip the dabbed fish in the batter making sure all parts of the fish are covered before putting it in the oil. Repeat the process for as many pieces of fish your frying container will allow without overcrowding.
- Fry at medium heat till light brown and crispy.
- Put in a paper lined sieve to drain.
