Crispy Beer Battered Sardines

If you don’t fancy cooking and eating the whole fish, get the fish monger to pull the bones out - you could even stuff the cavity with a bread-crumb based stuffing.

Preparation time: 10 minutes   Quantity: Makes 3 main or 4 starter   Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Batter -
2 eggs - medium - separated
250g plain flour - sieved twice
150 ml bitter / beer
150 ml (or so) of water
2 tablespoons oil (any)
seasoning

Flour to dust
12 - 16 small sardines - head removed and gutted
oil to deep-fry

Method

  • Whisk the egg whites to a soft peek
  • Whisk the rest of the ingredients together to form a smooth batter the consistency of double cream, add a little more water if too thick
  • Gently mix the whites in to the batter
  • Season well
  • Dust the sardines in flour
  • Dip in to the batter, by holding the very end of the tail, emerge well and shake of too much excess
  • Gently place in to a preheated deep fat fryer (hot - 7 - 8) and cook until golden brown approx. 3-4 minutes
  • Drain on kitchen roll and serve