Battered Cod with Marie Rose Sauce

• Recipe by Cathal Armstrong

At his new Eamonn’s a Dublin Chipper, Dublin-born Cathal Armstrong (an F&W Best New Chef 2006) brings the fish-and-chips tradition to Alexandria, Virginia. Armstrong serves two types of fish, plus fries and a host of sauces, like the one below.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2. 2 tablespoons ketchup
3. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4. 1 teaspoon Tabasco
5. 1 3/4 cups water
6. 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
7. Salt
8. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
9. 1 quart vegetable oil, for frying
10. 2 pounds skinless cod fillets, cut into 4-inch pieces

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the ketchup, lemon juice and Tabasco.
2. Pour the water into a large bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer at low speed, beat in the 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the baking soda. Strain the batter into another bowl.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the oil to 360°. Line a rack with paper towels. Dust 5 pieces of cod with flour, then tap off the excess. Dip the cod in the batter, scraping the pieces lightly against the side of the bowl to remove excess batter, and add to the hot oil. Fry over moderate heat until golden and crisp, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fish to the rack. Repeat with the remaining fish and batter. Sprinkle with salt and serve at once with the sauce.