What’s For Dinner? Easy Pan-Fried Fish!

Why We Love It

This meal from reader Dave is the perfect fast, easy weeknight treat. You probably have all the ingredients required in your pantry right now!

Ingredients

• 4 fish fillets, thawed and at room temperature
• ½ cup gluten-free flour (any blend will do)
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Canola oil for frying
• One 355 mL can club soda or gluten-free beer (like Glutenberg Blonde), refrigerated

Method

1. Put enough oil in a large frying pan just so it covers the bottom. Place on stovetop and heat on medium until the oil is hot (shimmering but not smoking – about 400 degrees).
2. Mix the dry ingredients together. Place about ¾ of the mixture into a wide bowl and the remaining mixture on a plate.
3. Slowly add the liquid to the bowl of dry mixture until the mixture is slightly thicker than pancake batter. (You may not need the entire can of liquid.)
4. Pat fish dry with paper towel.
5. Dredge fish fillets in the reserve mixture on the plate and then dip into the wet mixture.
6. Carefully place fish in oil. Cook two to three minutes per side.
7. Serve with a slice of lemon and enjoy!

Tips

• You can customize this dish by swapping out the spices for different ones. However, don’t leave out the salt or baking powder.
• This dish pairs perfectly with these oven-baked fries.
• If you’re looking for a deep-fryer recipe, try my dad’s secret concoction!

(Original Source: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/03/gluten-free-beer-battered-fish-fry.html)

What’s For Dinner? Classic Fish and Chips!

Why We Love It

There’s nothing more Maritime than a good feast of fish and chips. Plus, preparing it at home means no concerns about cross-contamination. This recipe makes enough for four people and can easily be scaled back or doubled.

Ingredients

• Four medium-sized russet potatoes
• Eight haddock fillets
• ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• ½ cup gluten-free Bisquick
• One can of 7-Up or gluten-free beer (like Glutenberg Blonde)
• Sea salt
• Oil for frying

Method

1. Heat deep fat fryer to 374 degrees.
2. While fryer is heating up, cut potatoes into sticks.
3. Once fryer is hot, place fries in basket and place in fryer for 8 to 10 minutes (depending on how big the fries are).
4. Heat oven to about 200 degrees. When the French fries are cooked, place them on a cookie sheet, season with salt, and keep them warm in the oven.
5. Turn fryer down to about 320 degrees.
6. Mix the gluten-free flour and Bisquick together. Then, stir in the liquid until a thick batter is formed. If you need more liquid, add a little bit of water.
7. Dip the haddock fillets in the batter and then carefully drop directly into the oil.
8. After five minutes, use a large, flat spoon to remove the fish.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• Using a fresh can or bottle of 7-Up is important! The carbonation keeps the batter light.
• You can also use this batter for onion rings or chicken wings. Check your deep fryer’s manual for cooking time.
• Round out this meal with homemade tartar sauce.

 

Gluten-Free Bisquick Comes to Canada!

For several years, I have been buying gluten-free Bisquick in the United States. I’ve even had family and friends buy it for me on trips and bring it back. It looks like that won’t be necessary anymore: gluten-free Bisquick is now available here in Canada!

One of our readers found it on the weekend at Sobeys, and we were able to buy some today at the Sobeys in Downsview Mall for $5.99. It’s made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, too! Although the ingredients are primarily rice-based, this mix makes the best gluten-free homemade biscuits I’ve ever had.

You can use gluten-free Bisquick as a one-to-one replacement for regular Bisquick (or any baking mix, for that matter). If you’re looking for recipe ideas, here are some of our favourites:

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Catch of the Bay is a Real Find!

Last weekend, Michael and I finally made it to Catch of the Bay at Masstown Market! We pulled into the market, and after a little wandering around, found the fish and chip boat at the far end of the parking lot. (It’s beside the fresh fish market in the lighthouse.) This little boat has been turned into a fish and chip “truck,” and has a patio with picnic tables built right around it.

After a quick glance at the menu (which does not specifically list gluten-free items), Michael and I each ordered a one-piece haddock fish and chips ($7.99) and a Diet Coke ($1.75). We grabbed our drinks from the cooler next to the order window, as well as some napkins and ketchup, and took a seat at a picnic table under an umbrella. We also had a new friend in tow:

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We’ve Got a Secret!

We’ve got a confession to make: we’ve been keeping a secret. About two years ago, I discovered gluten-free Bisquick in the United States. I’ve been holding off writing about it, hoping that it would come to Canada. I recently asked the folks at General Mills Canada (who distribute regular Bisquick) and they said they have no plans yet to bring it to us.

If you can get your hands on some of this delicious stuff, buy several boxes. There are a number of recipes right on the box, and more at the official U.S. Betty Crocker site. I’ve used their Ultimate Chicken Fingers breading for a ton of different things, including mozzarella sticks and tilapia.

Here’s another batter that you can use for onion rings, chicken wings, and fried fish. (It’s my dad’s secret recipe so shhhh!) Mix half a cup of gluten-free flour with half a cup of gluten-free Bisquick. Stir in about a cup of lemon-lime soda from a can or gluten-free beer. Add flour or water as necessary to get a good consistency.

If you like gluten-free Bisquick, be sure to fill out the feedback form at the General Mills Canada website or give them a call at 1-800-767-5350 and ask them to bring it to Canada!

Review of Evan’s Seafood

I had planned on doing a review today, but Bill Spurr from the Chronicle Herald beat me to it! Today’s review in the Chronicle Herald is on Evan’s Seafood in Alderney Gate (Dartmouth). Check it out here!

Side Note: Schoolhouse Gourmet supplies their products, and confirms that they do use a dedicated fryer!

Masstown Market Offers Gluten-Free Dining

I found out that Catch of the Bay Fish & Chips at Masstown Market  in Debert prepares many gluten-free items. They shared this information with the New Glasgow chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association:

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