Spanish CRISPY Fried Fish with Aioli | Calugas de Pescado

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (120 ml)
• 2 cod fillets (7 oz / 200 grams each)
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (180 grams)
• 1 tsp baking powder (4 grams)
• 1 cup ice cold beer (240 ml)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (5 grams)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (1 gram)
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin (0.65 grams)
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest (1 gram)
• sea salt & black pepper
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 grams)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard (5 grams)
• 1 clove garlic (finely grated)
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika (1.25 grams)
• 1 tsp lemon juice (5 ml)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
• sea salt & black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Add the cod fillets over some paper towels and pat completely dry, then season with salt & pepper on both sides, and then cut each fillet into pieces that are 1/2 inch thick (1.25 cm)
2. 2Add 1 cup (120 grams) flour into a large bowl, along with the baking powder, and whisk together, then make a well in the middle, add in the ice-cold beer, chopped parsley, dried oregano, ground cumin, lemon zest, and season with salt & pepper, whisk together until just mixed, do not overmix, and also add 1/2 cup (60 grams) flour into a separate bowl
3. 3Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
4. 4While the oil is heating, add the pieces of cod into the bowl with the flour, gently mix together until each piece is well coated, then add into the batter, and gently mix until well coated
5. 5Once the oil is nice and hot, add in the pieces of fish, making sure to shake off any excess batter, you want them all in a single layer and evenly spaced out, so cook in batches to not overcrowd the pan, fry for 3 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer into a dish with paper towels
6. 6To make the mayo aioli, add the mayonnaise into a bowl, along with the Dijon mustard, grated garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and olive oil, then season with salt & pepper and whisk together
7. 7Transfer the mayo aioli into a serving dish, and decorate the fried fish around it, serve at once, enjoy!