Fish and chips is one of my go-to dishes when I decide to be pescatarian for the day. I always find it interesting that most menus don’t offer a different take on the staple. It seems to me there are many ways you could serve fish and chips! I stuck to the traditional equation but made a few tweaks and additions to adhere to the current season - autumn.

Coleslaw, along with tartar sauce, is notably the most common side for fish and chips, but I grew up eating it with everything from roast chicken to grilled pork chops. I simplified the salad, adding apples to the mix I recently picked myself (yes, autumn in Maryland is all about visiting orchards). You can still add carrots and green cabbage. I prefer purple cabbage because it’s slightly softer and sweeter.

As for the chips, I used sweet potato. They are more nutritious than regular potatoes and taste better, in my opinion. As we move into the colder weather, sweet potato recipes will be featured more often, and I’m here for it!

For the fish, I used branzino, which, like cod, is mild and sweet. That means you can soak it up with some flavour. I like fried fish with some good old fashioned beer batter, but this recipe takes a detour! I used crushed pecans--another fall favourite--for texture and a nutty flavour for the crust after seasoning the fish.

This recipe is great for a filling, flavorful, lunch or light fare dinner depending on how hungry you are. If you are hosting a crowd, they will be most happy!

Ingredients

1 branzino fillet

1 tablespoon dill

1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon pecans, finely chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil + extra for chips

1 tablespoon fresh garlic

2 tablespoons salt

1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 a large apple

1 cup shredded red cabbage

2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons fish spice

1/8 cup bread crumbs

1 large sweet potato

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

2 teaspoons garlic powder

Fresh thyme

Cream or tartar sauce

Instructions

Prepare your slaw. Chop your apple into thin match sticks and mix with the red cabbage in a medium-sized bowl. Add the mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon pecans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Toss until everything is evenly coated, set aside in the fridge.

Slice the potato thinly (not too thin or else they will burn easily). Soak the slices in water for at least 1 hour to remove excess starch and maximize crispiness. Drain and dry completely with a kitchen towel. In a bowl, toss the potatoes in the cornstarch, drizzle with some olive oil, then add the Old Bay, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and brown sugar until evenly coated. On a parchment-lined baking tray, lay out the slices. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, spray with some cooking oil then flip them over. Watch closely to make sure the chips don’t burn!

While the chips bake, season the fish with the fresh garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the soy sauce, 1 tablespoon black pepper and fish spice, set aside.

Add the milk to the egg and beat well. Coat the fish, then press the fillet into the breadcrumbs and pecans in a shallow plate. In a skillet on low-medium heat, sear the fish. Start with skin side first (if present), then after about 6-8 minutes carefully flip over. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the fish is flakey and opaque. 

Garnish with fresh thyme and serve the fish immediately with the sweet potato chips, apple slaw and some cream of tartar sauce. Double the recipe per person.