Copycat Long John Silvers Batter Recipes

Steps:

• NOTE: IF USING SELF-RISING FLOUR -- REDUCE SEA SALT TO 1 1/2 TEASPOONS THEN OMIT BAKING POWDER AND BAKING SODA -- AND USE REGULAR WATER INSTEAD OF CLUB SODA. FOR EASY GRINDING OF FENNEL SEED, PULSE A CLEAN SPICE MILL OR COFFEE GRINDER WITH THE CORNSTARCH AND SEA SALT UNTIL FINELY GROUND, THEN ADD TO DRY BATTER.
• THAW fresh boneless white fish if frozen; CUT filets into 3-inch x 4 inch pieces; PREPARE a light sea salt/water bath to brine fish in for 20 minutes (brine should only be "as salty as the ocean").
• POUR enough canola oil in deep-fryer to completely immerse fish in; INSERT the deep-fryer basket; PREHEAT oil slowly in gradual increments to 360°F.
• MEASURE all DRY BATTER AND DREDGING ingredients into a large bowl; WHISK mixture well until thoroughly blended; REMOVE 2 cups of mixture and transfer to another large bowl for the BATTER.
• INTO the large bowl containing the 2 cups reserved DRY BATTER, whisk in the LIQUID BATTER ingredients, without over-mixing.
• REMOVE fish from sea salt bath; BLOT fish lightly; COAT the fish very lightly on all sides with the reserved dry dredging, being careful not to tear or break fish (use a flat metal spatula to turn fish if necessary).
• DIP dredged fish in prepared batter to coat fish evenly, using a flat spatula to lift; ALLOW excess batter to drain; DROP battered fish slowly and carefully into the preheated fryer (MAKE SURE FISH DOESN'T SINK AND STICK TO BOTTOM OF FRYER BASKET; IF THIS HAPPENS, LIFT BASKET AND CAREFULLY LOOSEN FISH WITH A FLAT STAINLESS STEEL SPATULA).
• DEEP-FRY fish in preheated 360°F canola oil without overcrowding until breading is golden, and fish is tender-flaky; PLACE cooked fish on absorbent paper to drain (keep filets warmed if necessary, in a preheated 170 F oven); REPEAT frying process with remaining fish.
• ALLOW hot fried fish to cool slightly before serving; SERVE with fresh lemon slices and desired condiments -- tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, cream horseradish, hot sauce, malt vinegar.
• SERVE and enjoy!

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients.
• Add water and mix well.
• Use to coat fish or chicken filets.
• Cover the fish completely.
• Deep fry until a nice golden brown.

Steps:

• Dredge fish in batter.
• Deep fry.