Fried fish dinner is a staple during the season of Lent. Cod fillets are battered, deep fried and served with rosemary potatoes.
If you hadn't noticed by the Filet-O-Fish being back on the menu at every local McD's chain, it's Lent. The thing is, I'm not Catholic. So much not Catholic that my Catholic grandmother threw 'holy water' at my infant self, calling me a 'pagan baby'.
That's right, I've been trouble since before I could talk. Whether that story is true or false, I'll never know, but my father was not Catholic and my mother came from a very strict Catholic family, so I can see it may have caused some problems.
Even though I'm not Catholic, I know a lot of people use the season of Lent as a chance to purge, cleanse and try to make better choices for themselves. As for me, if you looked around my kitchen lately, you'd think I am making it a point to splurge on sugar.
So here's my attempt to be healthy (although, it's a stretch), with a fried fish dinner and a healthier version of chips...roasted potatoes.
Fried Fish Dinner with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
a la me
Ingredients:
16 oz cod fillets.- 3 cups flour, divided
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper
- 1 bottle dark lager
- Oil, for deep frying
- Lemon and salt for serving
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large heavy pot or frying pan. Set up your dredging station. Place 1 cup of flour in one shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs and place in another shallow bowl. In a third large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, salt, pepper and beer, stirring to a consistency a bit thinner than a pancake batter. Place a wire rack with paper towels and set aside.
Working in small patches, dredge cod in flour, shake off excess flour. Dip in the egg and toss in the batter. Carefully place the batter dredged fish in the oil and fry for 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown. Lay on paper towels over the wire rack to cool and sprinkle with salt.
Serve with lemon slices.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds small red or white-skinned potatoes (or a mixture)- ⅛ cup good olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoons minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and place in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary; toss until the potatoes are well coated. Dump the potatoes on a baking sheet and spread out into 1 layer; roast in the oven for at least 1 hour, or until browned and crisp. Flip twice with a spatula during cooking to ensure even browning.
Remove the potatoes from the oven, season to taste, and serve.
I would also like to say that I loved the filet-o-fish commercial with the signing fish last year (or whenever it was).
Blog is the New Black says
Give me that filet of fish, give me that fish... now it's in my head! AHHHH!
Liz says
Gorgeous fish, Kita...maybe I could get my Catholic, fish hating family to try this!!!
RavieNomNoms says
That is just so pretty! What a great spin on the classic fish and chips that you see during the Lenten season. I, myself am Catholic...but I am by no means a strict Catholic and I definitely wouldn't throw holy water on anyone who wasn't. Tehehe that is kind of funny, only because I have a good friend of mine whose bible-hugging parents threw holy water on her because they found out she prefers to date women. People are too funny sometimes haha. ANYWAYS, this looks great...thanks for sharing it I will definitely be trying it this Lent!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Fried fish is one of my favorite foods and yours looks sooo good and crispy! Now I'm craving it at 8:30 in the morning. haha! 🙂 Those rosemary potatoes are so flavorful and so good. I've made them before and love them. I love how you paired the fried fish with rosemary potatoes, it sounds like the perfect meal. YUM!
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen says
Now this is an aspect of Lent that I can get behind! I love this time of year for two reasons, cadbury mini eggs and friday fish fries!
whatsfordinneracrossstatelines says
I like you story and knowing some of my relatives, I could picture it. Love fried fish, it's my down fall, why can't steamed fish taste as good. Those potatoes sound good too. Hope you have a great week.
-Gina-
Diane says
That looks very tasty!!!! I think I might like that!!
Kate @ Diethood.com says
I love your take on fish 'n chips... this is so good! Those potatoes sound yummylicious!
I'm not Catholic, I'm Orthodox (close enough) and my mom still throws holy water at me! 🙂
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend says
hmmmm hmmm good! lovely potatoes!
Toby says
I just have the neighbors and random street people dousing me with holy water... or maybe its just plain unholy water.. either way, its annoying.
Love the fried fish. I think a fish batter works so much better than a breading or dusting. And you cant go wrong with herby taters 🙂
baobabs says
YUM, would love to have that for lunch! and agree with toby that batter works much better with breading
A little bit of everything says
I was thrown holy water at too and I'm Greek Orthodox :))
love your twist on fish and chips, i have to try those rosemary potatoes, look delicious.
thanks for sharing Kita