English Beer Batter Recipes

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl add flour, egg, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir in 1 cup beer (you can add more than one cup to obtain your desired texture).

Steps:

• Let beer stand at room temperature until flat.
• Refrigerate egg whites; beat together egg yolks, beer, butter or oil, salt and pepper; whisk into flour to make a smooth batter; refrigerate batter 3-12 hours.
• When ready to fry fish (I use cod or halibut) pieces, bring egg whites to room temperature then beat them until stiff; fold beaten egg whites gently into beer batter.
• Blot fish pieces dry with paper towels; dredge each lightly with flour then dip into batter to cover completely.
• Deep fry fish, a few pieces at a time, at about 375° until batter is cooked and deep golden-brown; drain on absorbent paper then serve.

Steps:

• For the twice-cooked chips: Peel the potatoes and cut them into approximately 5/8-inch-thick chips (i.e. 5/8-by-5/8-inch-by-potato length). Store them in water.
• Fill a large pot halfway with the oil or fill a deep-fat fryer with oil. Heat to 275 degrees F. Thoroughly drain the chips and add them to the oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chips until they are soft enough to squeeze but not yet browned, about 10 minutes. Once all the chips have been blanched, spread them on a sheet tray and store them in the fridge overnight.
• When ready to serve, heat the oil to 375 degrees F and fry the blanched chips, in batches if necessary, until golden brown and crispy on the outside and still fluffy on the inside, about 5 minutes.
• For the seasoned flour: Mix the flour, salt and black pepper in a large bowl and set aside.
• For the beer batter: Thoroughly mix the flour, paprika and salt in a large bowl. Whilst constantly whisking, add enough beer to stiffen up the mix. Whilst still continuing to whisk, add cold water until the batter resembles heavy cream consistency and contains no lumps.
• For the fish: Fill a large pot halfway with oil or fill a deep-fat fryer with oil. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F. Fillet the fish into six 8-ounce portions, removing any bones, skin or blood lines that are present. Dip the fish into the seasoned flour, tapping off any excess. Dip the fish into the beer batter, briefly allow the batter to drain off, and then gently place the fish into the oil, allowing the fish to float away from you. Cook, in batches if necessary, until golden brown and trying to float, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove the fish from the oil with a spatula and allow to drain on a cooling rack before serving on a bed of chips with lashings of kosher salt and malt vinegar.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk eggs until smooth, then whisk in beer. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and whisk until combined. Place 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl. Place a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet; set near stove.
• In a wide 6-quart pot fitted with a deep-fat or candy thermometer, heat oil to 375 degrees over medium. (The oil should bubble rapidly when a pinch of flour is added.) Working in small batches, lightly coat food in flour, then dip in batter, gently shaking off excess. Fry, turning halfway through, until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes per batch (adjust heat to maintain 375 degrees). With a slotted spoon, transfer food to rack to drain and discard any browned bits of batter. Season immediately with salt. Keep warm in a 200-degree oven.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Rinse fish, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper. Stir egg into dry ingredients. Gradually mix in beer until a thin batter is formed. You should be able to see the fish through the batter after it has been dipped.
• Dip fish fillets into the batter, then drop one at a time into hot oil. Fry fish, turning once, until both sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and serve warm.

Steps:

• Combine the flour, cornflour, baking powder and turmeric in a large bowl, season, then spoon 1 tbsp onto a plate and set aside. Gradually pour the beer and water into the bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. Leave to rest for 30 mins while you prepare the chips.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil a large pan of water, then add the chipped potatoes and boil for 2-3 mins until the outsides are just tender but not soft. drain well, then tip onto a large baking tray with the flour, oil and some salt. Gently toss together until all the potatoes are evenly coated and the flour is no longer dusty. Roast for 30 mins, turning occasionally, until the chips are golden and crisp.
• To cook the fish, heat the 1 litre oil in a deep saucepan until a drop of batter sizzles and crisps up straight away. Pat the fish dry with kitchen paper, then toss it in the reserved turmeric flour mix. Shake off any excess, then dip into the batter. Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil and fry for 6-8 mins - depending on the thickness of the fish - until golden and crisp. Using a large slotted spoon, lift out the fish, drain on kitchen paper, then sprinkle with salt. Serve with the hot chips and Homemade tomato sauce (see 'goes well with').
• Combine the flour, cornflour, baking powder and turmeric in a large bowl, season, then spoon 1 tbsp onto a plate and set aside. Gradually pour the beer and water into the bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. Leave to rest for 30 mins while you prepare the chips.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Boil a large pan of water, then add the chipped potatoes and boil for 2-3 mins until the outsides are just tender but not soft. drain well, then tip onto a large baking tray with the flour, oil and some salt. Gently toss together until all the potatoes are evenly coated and the flour is no longer dusty. Roast for 30 mins, turning occasionally, until the chips are golden and crisp.
• To cook the fish, heat the 1 litre oil in a deep saucepan until a drop of batter sizzles and crisps up straight away. Pat the fish dry with kitchen paper, then toss it in the reserved turmeric flour mix. Shake off any excess, then dip into the batter. Carefully lower each fillet into the hot oil and fry for 6-8 mins - depending on the thickness of the fish - until golden and crisp. Using a large slotted spoon, lift out the fish, drain on kitchen paper, then sprinkle with salt. Serve with the hot chips and Homemade tomato sauce (see 'goes well with').

Steps:

• Heat fat up in a chip pan or automatic deep fat fryer - mine has a chip setting which is 190°C.
• Peel the potatoes and cut into chunky sized chips. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Fry chips for about 3 minutes until soft but NOT coloured. Drain and shake well and set to one side.
• Put some flour onto a plate. Dredge the fish fillets in the flour thoroughly - this is VERY important, it stops the batter sliding off when fried! Leave the fish fillets in the flour whilst you make the batter.
• Some people say you should make the batter at least one hour before - I have found little difference - so make it before if it is convenient or now!
• Put flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and pepper into a large roomy bowl. Add the beer gradually, stop when you have a thick coating type of batter. Drink any beer that is left! Whisk thoroughly until it is smooth and there are no lumps.Add the lemon juice OR a splash of malt vinegar if desired. Mix thoroughly again.
• Have your plates, newspaper or whatever ready for eating!
• Adjust deep fat fryer to fish frying temperature of 160°C.
• Take one fillet of fish at a time and holding it by the tail or thin end (!) swirl it around the batter until well coated - plunge into hot fat immediately. As soon as it has crisped up and set, add your other fillets one at a time, taking out the first ones as they cook - about 6 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness. Place onto a tray and keep warm in the oven.
• Turn up the heat setting to 190°C again and cook your chips until golden and crisp.
• Serve on plates or newspaper with salt & vinegar!
• All you need now is a pint of warm beer and Coronation Street on the TV to set the scene!
• This batter is great for small fish goujons, chicken goujons and also tempura vegetables too.