Archive for December, 2008
Fish batter recipes are by far the best when combined with a lean, textured fish. Varieties including Cat fish, Cod, Flounder, Haddock, and Perch are the most recognizable and the most chosen selection by consumers. Depending on the type of fish you intend to use, there are batter recipes that compliment each fillet and produce a wonderful combination of flavor and texture.
There are many other varieties of fish that go well with battered recipes. Typically, these can found at specialty markets or your local butcher. Species like Black Bass, Buffalo Fish, Drum, Sunfish, Tilefish, and Trout can also compliment a superb fish batter.
Batters are semi liquid mixtures containing flour or cornstarch. The formula forms a protective coating between fat and food and helps give the product color, flavor, and a crisp texture. There are many different variations for each batter to be used:
o Eggs may or may not be used for a pre-coat to flour dredging
o The thicker the batters, the thicker the coating.
o Using liquids such as beer, water, milk, and egg wash may be used
o Leavening products are often used to lighten the coating
-Baking Powder
-Egg Whites
-Carbonated beverages such as seltzer or any other sparkling water
Here are some basic fish batter recipes to get you started:
Beer Batter
2 Large eggs beaten
2 cups beer
10 oz cake flour
2 tsp Baking powder
One of the more popular ways to prepare fish is to fry it. A novice chef can develop their own fish batter recipes with little to no experience. The first step in making a great batter is realizing that it’s not as simple as a cup of flour and water. That is not to say that a great batter is hard to make. On the contrary, it’s an easy and interesting cooking experience. The batter is just the body so to speak. The seasonings and flavors you add are what make the batter better. A good frying batter cannot be thin so it’s a good idea to start with a thick batter and thin as needed. A typical starting point for fish batter is:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
Once a base batter has been established any number of great fish batter recipes can be created. A simple addition of a teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning will lend a low country flavor to a fried fish dinner. A variety of herbs can be added to create a more earthy taste. Teaspoons of pepper and paparika are excellent seasonings to add to a base batter. Other herbs and spices that complement fish are tarragon, oregano, dill and mustard.
Beer batter is a very popular style of batter. There are many different types of beer from lagers to pale ales so using different beers offers many flavors to experiment with. The best results are achieved when the beer is warm and stale. Substitute the 1/2 cup stale beer for the water.
Creating a uniquely flavored fish batter does not necessarily require herbs. The following recipe is simple yet produces a very tasty fried fish fillet.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup crushed potato chips
1/2 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
The battering process starts with cleaning the fish fillet and patting it dry with either a paper towel or clean cloth. The fillet is first dusted with dry flour and then dipped into the batter mixture. A second dusting of flour and batter dipping is not necessary but does create a more textured fillet.
Parmesan adds a cheesy flavor in the following batter version of a baked fish recipe.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup water
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder (optional)
1/4 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
The great thing about a fish batter is that it is very forgiving in the event that an experiment has gone wrong. Batters that are too thin can be thickened with more flour and batters that are too thick can be thinned with more water. To avoid seasoning mistakes, keep herb and spice measurements to a teaspoon or less. Start with 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon measurements.
Experiment with the variety of herbs and spices that compliment fish dinners. Enjoy the creative process and have fun.
By: Ian Pennington
About the Author:
Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about fish batter recipes, please visit Best California Fishing for current articles and discussions.
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About the Author:
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