Moonen's Cod-Wich

Moonen's Cod-Wich
Recipe courtesy Rick Moonen, Oceana Restaurant, New York City
Beer-bettered, golden-fried cod filet sammies with Moonen's signature tartar sauce.

BEER BATTER
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 whole egg
1 cup very cold beer
Pinch salt
Pinch cayenne

In a large combine all the above ingredients together and let sit 1 hour covered.

FISH
1 cup vegetable oil
4 (5-inch) cod fillets

Heat oil in a high sided saute pan to about 350 degrees. Pat dry the cod fillets and coat evenly with the beer batter. Fry fillets in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with a generous amount of tartar sauce.

TARTAR SAUCE:
1/2 cup chopped cornichons
1/4 cup chopped capers
3 medium shallots, peeled and rough chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 heaping tablespoons dill
4 heaping tablespoons chives
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Using a food processor fitted with the sharp blade, add cornichons, capers, and shallots, to the work bowl. Process for a few seconds just to combine. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, herbs, lemon juice, and pepper, and process for 8 seconds to well. Open the pour spout, and with the motor running, slowly add the oil in stream. Remove tartar sauce to am air-tight container and refrigerate for 24 hours before using to allow flavors to develop. Makes 3 cups.