【Kitchen Challenge #5】Gordon Ramsay's Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas and Tartar Sauce

I bought some nice pieces of cod fillet the other day, and immediately the idea of fish and chips popped into my head (yeah I know, what a cliché). I decided to give Gordon Ramsay's Fish and Chips recipe a try. Who knows better than a British chef when it comes to this British classic?

Gordon Ramsay's Fish and Chips

The challenging part of this recipe is the timing of prepping different components. I suggest making the mushy peas and tartar sauce ahead of time. Then simultaneously fry the fish and second-fry the potatoes in separate fryers so neither of them will start getting soggy. Was it delicious? Yes. Will I make it again? Probably not fish and chips both at the same time.

Ingredients：

2 pieces of 6 oz thick cod fillets

1 cup plain flour

a pinch of salt and smoked paprika

vegetable oil for deep fry

1 lemon

Beer batter

1 cup 00' flour

1/2 cup rice flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

6oz lager

a bit of malt vinegar

a pinch of salt

a bit of sparkling water (optional)

Mushy peas

200g frozen peas

50g butter

1 garlic

1 shallot

a pinch of salt, pepper and chopped mint

Chips

3 Yukon potatoes (cut into stripes)

Vegetable oil for frying

a pinch of salt, smoked paprika, chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese

Tartar sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 creme fraiche

1 tbsp capers

1 tbsp lemon juice + a bit of zest

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tbsp chopped parsley

a pinch of salt and pepper

Steps：

Beer batter

1. Mix flours, baking soda and salt into a bowl.

2. Whisk in vinegar and beer until it reaches the consistency of a pancake batter. (Add a bit of sparkling water if the batter is too thick.)

3. Cover it with cling film and refrigerate over night.

The fish

1. Heat oil in deep fryer to 180°C.

2. Season the fish with salt.

3. Mix flour with smoked paprika on a plate. Then dredge the fish in the mixture. Shake to remove excess.

4. Dip the fish into the batter and coat completely. Gently place it into the deep fryer and cook for 8 - 10 minutes until golden.

5. Remove from oil and drain.

Mushy peas

1. Blanch peas in boiling salted water. Then drain and shock in ice water.

2. Pan-fry garlic and shallots in oil. Add peas and butter. Cook for 5-8 minutes until tender.

3. Mash peas with a potato masher or fork.

4. Season with salt, pepper and chopped mint.

Chips

1. Rinse potatoes in water and dry.

2. Heat oil deep fryer to 150°C. Blanch potatoes until tender. Do not get any colour.

3. Remove the potatoes and rest them on a wire rack.

4. Increase the fryer temperature to 180°C. Put the potatoes in again and fry until golden and crispy.

5. Toss with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl.

Tartar sauce

1. Mix all ingredients together and season with salt and pepper.

Original recipe from Gordon Ramsay beer battered cod with French fries, tartar sauce and mushy peas.