Fish and chips ... homemade version

To prepare a delicious and comforting meal, we will use simple ingredients but with a special taste. We start with the potatoes, which will be the base of this dish. The number of potatoes can vary depending on everyone's preferences. I recommend choosing medium-sized potatoes for even cooking. We will peel them, cut them into cubes or slices, depending on taste, and then boil them in salted water for about 5 minutes. The goal is to soften them a bit, but not to cook them completely. After boiling, we drain them well and transfer them to a large bowl. Here, we will mix them with olive oil and coarse salt, making sure all the potatoes are evenly coated. At this stage, we can also add a little freshly ground pepper or herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, for an extra flavor.

After mixing well, we spread the potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and place them in the preheated oven at 220 °C. We let the potatoes bake until golden and crispy, which will take about 25-30 minutes, depending on the oven. In the meantime, we will take care of the fish. I chose small sardines, which are full of flavor and very easy to prepare. We remove the head of each sardine and, with a gentle touch, remove the backbone, being careful to keep the two fillets joined. This operation may seem difficult, but with a little patience, it will become child's play.

The next step involves preparing the batter to cover the fish fillets. In a bowl, we mix flour with an egg yolk and melted butter, gradually adding beer until we obtain a homogeneous mixture, slightly thicker than pancake batter. It is important to beat the batter well to give it an airy texture. Finally, we fold in a beaten egg white, which will make the batter light and fluffy.

Now, the sardine fillets are dipped in this batter, ensuring they are evenly coated. In a deep pan, heated with plenty of oil, we add an unpeeled garlic clove, which will provide a subtle aroma. We fry the sardine fillets in the hot oil until golden and crispy, carefully turning them to brown evenly.

We serve the crispy potatoes alongside the delicious sardines, perhaps with a fresh salad or a slice of lemon, for a balanced and flavorful meal. This recipe is not only easy to make but also full of flavors, perfect for a family dinner or with friends. Bon appétit!