Two food marriages made in heaven combine in this naughty-but-nice fish supper from James Martin – fish and chips with vodka and tonic… what’s not to love?
Ingredients
- For the mushy peas
- 225g/8oz dried
marrowfat peas - 1 tsp
bicarbonate of soda - 35g/1¼oz
butter
- 225g/8oz dried
- For the battered haddock
- 1 tbsp fresh
yeast - pinch
salt - pinch
sugar - 175ml/6fl oz
tonic water - 200g/7oz
plain flour - 25ml/1fl oz
vodka - 1 tsp cider
vinegar - 4 x 175g/6oz
haddock, skinned, pin bones removed - 2
lemons, cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp fresh
Preparation method
For the mushy peas, soak the peas in a large bowl in three times their volume of water with the bicarbonate of soda for at least four hours or, if you have the time, overnight.
Drain the peas in a colander, rinse under a cold running tap and place in a large, lidded pan. Cover with water (about 2.5cm/1in or so above the peas), cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the peas for 1½-2 hours, stirring from time to time. The peas should be soft and mushy in texture but not too dry. If they are wet, continue cooking over the heat with the lid off to dry out a little. Beat in the butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
For the haddock, mix the yeast, salt and sugar in a bowl until well combined.
Pour the tonic water into the yeast mixture and whisk in the flour, vodka and vinegar. Leave the mixture to ferment – it is ready to use when the mixture starts to bubble.
Meanwhile, heat a deep fat fryer to 190C/375F. (CAUTION: Hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Coat the haddock fillets in the batter and fry in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp. Carefully remove the battered haddock with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
Place the haddock onto plates and serve with a dollop of mushy peas and wedge of lemon.