Crispy Batter For Chicken Or Fish Food

CRISPY BATTER THAT STAYS CRISPY (FOR A LONG TIME)

Steps:

• Place the flour/starch, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to mix everything. Only prepare your batter when you are ready to fry your food.
• Pour about 1 1/2 to 2-inch of oil into a stainless steel pot or Dutch oven. Preheat the oil to 330 F. It helps if you have deep-fryer thermometer if not, dip a stick end of wooden spatula, bamboo skewer, or chopsticks into the oil. If there are steady bubbles around it, the oil is most likely more than 330 F, but the temperature will drop once you put in the things you are going to fry. As long as it doesn't bubble vigorously, if it is, lower the heat a bit and test again
• Pour in the ice cold water into the flour mixture and use a chopstick to stir. Do not over stir with all-purpose flour. It's okay to have some lumps in the batter. If you over mix the flour batter, it will turn out gummy and absorbs too much oil. If you are preparing gluten-free batter, this is not an issue because cornstarch doesn't have gluten in it
• Coat the food with the batter and fry the food. Another important note is not to overcrowd and frying too many. If you lower the oil temperature too much, the batter will be greasy, soggy, and almost definitely will not stay crispy (if at all). This step is to cook the food inside the batter. Depending on what you are frying, follow the instruction on the time
• Remove from the oil to a rack. Let them cool down for at least 10 minutes before you go for the second frying. You can even stop at this step if you are prepping ahead. Keep the half-fried food in the fridge and do the second frying just right before serving, whenever that is
• Remove any crumbs from the oil and bring it back up to hot again over high heat. This time we need about 375 F. Use a thermometer if you have one. If you don't have one, again, use the stick end of wooden spatula, bamboo skewer or chopstick to test the oil. The bubbles will be steady. When it's ready, fry the food for the second time. This round should be quicker. The food will turn golden brown too. This step is to crisp up the food further
• Place the fried food on a rack set on a baking sheet. You can keep the rest warm in an oven at around 200 F and serve when you are done with frying all

CRISPY BATTER-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of waxed paper. Pound to 1/2" thickness using a meat mallet. Set aside.
• Place egg whites and tarragon in a shallow bowl. Beat with a fork until frothy. Combine flour, garlic powder, cornstarch and baking soda in another shallow bowl and mix well. Dip the chicken in flour then egg white mixture and turn to coat. Dip in flour again and coat completely.
• Heat the oil to 350 F in a deep medium skillet. Add 2 chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining chicken.

CURRIED FISH BATTER

Steps:

• In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients.
• Whisk together the water, egg and mustard.
• Add to the dry ingredients, whisk until you have a smooth batter, if needed add a bit more water but do not make it too thin.
• If you have the time let it rest for an hour in the fridge.

GOLDEN BEER-BATTERED FISH WITH CHIPS

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').

LONG JOHN SILVER'S FISH BATTER

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.

BATTER

Steps:

• Take a large mixing bowl and add the flour and ½ tsp fine salt. Whisk together to incorporate the salt. Add the water and whisk until the batter is completely smooth and the flour is fully combined.
• Take the oil and pour into a large, sturdy saucepan with high sides. Heat over a high heat until it reaches 200C. To fry your ingredients, dip them in the batter, allowing any excess to run off, and carefully place into the hot oil. Fry until the batter is a rich, golden brown and crisp. The fried ingredients will likely float on top of the oil when cooked, too. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and blot on kitchen towel before serving. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt to keep crisp. The batter does not keep well and is best made just before using.

BATTER FOR DEEP FRYING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon water, 1 Tablespoon beaten egg, and oil.
• Add wet ingredients to dry and combine until mixed.
• Follow your deep fryer instructions for whatever veggie or meat you're frying.
• This batter is thin and delicious. Don't worry if it doesn't look like it's thick enough. It works great.