Fish - N - Chips

Mark here...this is another of the Barefoot Contessa's recipe's called Parker's Fish and Chips and it's one of my favorites.  We made it while watching Friday Night Lights episode, "Extended Families".  It's a bit messy though, so be warned, but it really is a classic fish and chips.  The nice part is the baked potato "chips"...it sort of saves you from the oil-overload...

Fish and Chips

Ingredients
1 1/2 lb cod fillets (they are usually deboned but its worth checking)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
pinch cayenne
1/2 cup water
1 egg
Vegetable oil
2 large potatoes
olive oil
1 large mince garlic clove
sea salt
rosemary

The Chips recipe follows the fish, but it's best to get started on them first as they will take longer...

First salt and pepper each side of the cod fillets and cut them into roughly 2 inch squares or thereabouts.  Then mix the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, cayenne water, egg, and salt and pepper (to taste).

Pour and heat the oil, 1/2 inch, and heat to 360 degrees.  This part is very important...too cool and it won't crisp, the fish will either stick to the pan or fall apart (or both).  Dip each fish piece into the batter and then put in the hot oil.  Don't put too many or it will just take forever (too many will cool the oil).  Cook each side about 3 minutes depending on size, then remove.  I just put all the pieces on a folded brown paper bag, rustic East Cost style. When done finish by sprinkling with salt.

For the Chips...

Preheat the oven to 400.

Slice the 2 potatoes into long thick chips, this mean roughly cutting each potato into eighths.  Lay onto baking pan and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, some sea salt and pepper, and about a tablespoon of chopped rosemary.  Cook about 50 minutes turning roughly every 15, in my opinion.