Tag: British

Bangers and Mash

Bangers and Mash

If you can’t find a store bought banger sausage and want to make them from scratch, a recipe I made is: 4lbs ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp mace, 1 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp 

Beer Battered Cod

Beer Battered Cod

Beer Battered Cod

The origins of fish and chips can be traced back as early as the 15th century; thought to be created by Spanish and Portuguese Jewish immigrants in the U.K. A simple batter consisting of flour, baking soda, and water was whisked together, with the fish being dipped in it, then fried in either beef fat or lard. Fish and chips is considered to be the national dish of England; once boasting 35000 fish and chip shops across the entire U.K. Now there are less than 10000 shops left of this emblematic dish.
When making battered fish, using beer instead of water will make the batter lighter and crispier. You can use any type of lager, pilsner, or an ale. I’m partial to Bell’s Two Hearted IPA. Cod and haddock are the two most commonly used fish for traditional fish and chips, but you can also use tilapia, pollock, hake, halibut, whiting, or flounder. If you’re from MN, we will use walleye. Malt vinegar and tartar sauce are the two most popular accompaniments.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: fish, how to make, main course
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs cod
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • salt
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • malt vinegar

Beer Batter

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/3 cup beer lager, pilsner, or ale
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Whisk together the flour, garlic, and onion powder in a bowl.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Whisk in the beer until the batter is smooth. Set aside.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Cut the cod into 2” pieces. Season with salt.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Dredge the cod in flour. Shake off any excess.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Assemble an assembly line of the cod and beer batter.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Dip the cod into the batter.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Heat up 3” of vegetable oil in a wok or pot over medium high heat. Gently place the battered cod into the oil.
    How to make, main course, fish
  • Fry for 4 minutes a side, carefully turning.
    How to make, main course, fish
How to make, main course, fish
Drain the grease and serve with malt vinegar and tartar sauce.
Homemade Corned Beef

Homemade Corned Beef

Homemade Corned Beef

Corned beef is one of my favorites. But I’m sick of low quality corned beef that you get at the grocery store. It is very expensive; the way the briskets are cut are shitty; and they’re overly salty. I’m also sick of seeing people boil corned beef. I know that’s one way to prepare it, but it’s very underwhelming. So I decided to brine my own and smoke it.
I purchased a whole untrimmed brisket that was about 15lbs. I trimmed it down to about 8lbs. The brine is simply salt, sugar, curing salts, and pickling spices. For a piece of meat this size, it will need to brine for 10 days to penetrate the center of the brisket. Once brined, the brisket will need to dry out in the refrigerator for a day.
Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees. Allow the brisket to sit at room temp for an hour. Place the brisket in the smoker and wait…and wait…and some more waiting. Depending on the size of your brisket, it will take 8-12 hours to reach an internal temperature of 200 degrees. I started mine at 6AM and it was done at 6PM.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 hours
Brining Time10 days
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British, Irish, Jewish
Keyword: Beef, British, electric smoker, irish, main course
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • large bin for brining
  • Electric Smoker
  • Probe Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 1 flat cut beef brisket 5-10 lbs
  • 1 gallon water
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp pink curing salt
  • 8 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp allspice berries
  • 1 tbsp whole cloves
  • 4 bay leaves

Wood Chips

  • hickory

Instructions

  • Mix all of the brining ingredients together.
    Smokers, main course, beef
  • Put the brisket in a large bin. Pour the brine over the brisket. Weigh the brisket down with a plate to keep it completely submerged. Brine for 10 days.
    Smokers, main course, beef
  • Take the brisket out of the brine. Pat dry and allow the brisket to dry out in the refrigerator on a rack for 1 day. When ready to smoke, allow the brisket to sit at room temperature for an hour.
    Smokers, main course, beef
  • Preheat your smoker at 250 degrees. Place the brisket in the smoker.
    Smokers, main course, beef
  • Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees. This can take anywhere from 8-12 hours.
    Smokers, main course, beef
  • Allow the corned beef to rest for 30 minutes before slicing.
    Smokers, main course, beef
Smokers, main course, beef
Thinly slice against the grain.