Homemade Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas & Tartare Sauce ππ

A classic British dish featuring crispy battered fish, triple-cooked chips, and all the delicious sides β mushy peas, tartare sauce, onion rings, and even battered gherkins!
β± Total Time: 45 minutes
π₯ Serves: 2-3
π Ingredients
For the Fish Batter:
- 130g self-raising flour
- 200ml sparkling water (for extra crispiness)
- 100ml lager or ale
- 2 fillets of plaice (or cod/haddock)
- Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- Extra flour for dusting
For Triple-Cooked Chips:
- 3 large potatoes (Maris Piper or Russet work well)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt (to taste)
For Onion Rings:
- 1 large onion, sliced into rings
- A bit of flour for dusting
- Batter (same as fish batter)
For Mushy Peas:
- 1 cup garden peas (or marrowfat peas if available)
- 1 tbsp double cream
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
For Tartare Sauce:
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 1 tbsp chopped gherkins
- 1 tsp capers, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon juice
π Instructions
1οΈβ£ Prepare the Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together self-raising flour, sparkling water, and lager/ale until smooth.
- Let it rest while you prepare everything else β this helps develop a better texture.
2οΈβ£ Triple-Cooked Chips
- Peel and cut the potatoes into thick chips.
- First cook: Boil them in salted water until just soft (about 8 minutes). Drain and pat dry.
- Second cook: Heat vegetable oil to 325Β°F (160Β°C) and fry the chips for 2-3 minutes until they just start to crisp. Remove and let them rest.
- Final fry: When ready to serve, increase the oil heat to 375Β°F (190Β°C) and fry again until golden brown and crispy.
3οΈβ£ Prepare the Fish
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- Pat the plaice fillets dry, season with salt & pepper, then dust with flour to help the batter stick.
- Dip into the batter, coating evenly, and carefully lower into the hot oil.
- Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on a wire rack.
4οΈβ£ Onion Rings & Battered Gherkins
- Dip onion slices and gherkins into flour, then coat in the batter.
- Fry until golden brown (2-3 minutes). Remove and drain.
5οΈβ£ Make the Mushy Peas
- Boil garden peas until soft.
- Blend with double cream, salt, and pepper until smooth.
6οΈβ£ Prepare Tartare Sauce
- Mix mayonnaise, shallots, chopped gherkins, capers, parsley, and lemon juice together.
π Serving & Enjoying
- Plate the crispy fish and chips, with a side of mushy peas and a dollop of tartare sauce.
- Add onion rings and battered gherkins for extra crunch.
- Serve with lemon wedges for a final zesty touch.
π Chefβs Tips
β
Cold Batter = Extra Crunchy Fish! Keep it chilled before use.
β
Double Fry the Chips for restaurant-style crispiness.
β
Use a Thermometer to keep frying oil at the right temperature.