REAL Fish and Chips

Remember how we made fish and chips without beer recently? Well, it really wasn't that great... So we searched for another non-beer battered fried fish and... We were unsuccessful. SO decided to just replace the beer with something else and it actually turned out quite delicious!
English Fish and Chips

source: Alton Brown

Ingredients:
chips

• 1 gallon canola or vegetable oil
  
• 4 large Russet potatoes
  
• Kosher salt
  

batter

• 2 cups flour
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
  
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• Dash Old Bay Seasoning (recipe below)
  
• 1 bottle brown beer, cold (ginger ale)
  
• 1 1/2 pounds firm-fleshed whitefish (tilapia, pollock, cod), cut into strips
  
• Cornstarch, for dredging
  

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees F.
2. Heat the oil in a pot or deep fryer over high heat until it reaches 320 degrees.
3. Using a V-slicer with a wide blade, slice the potatoes with the skin on. Place in a large bowl with cold water.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Whisk in the beer or ginger ale until the batter is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Note: The batter can be made up to 1 hour ahead of time.
5. Drain potatoes thoroughly, removing any excess water. When oil reaches 320 degrees, submerge the potatoes in the oil. Working in small batches, fry for 2 to 3 minutes until they are pale and floppy. Remove from oil, drain, and cool to room temperature.
6. Increase the temperature of the oil to 375 degrees. Re-immerse fries and cook until crisp and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on roasting rack. Season with kosher salt while hot and hold in the oven.
7. Allow oil to return to 350 degrees. Lightly dredge fish strips in cornstarch. Working in small batches, dip the fish into batter and immerse into hot oil. When the batter is set, turn the pieces of fish over and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain the fish on the roasting rack. 
8. Serve with malt vinegar. 

I could NOT find Old Bay seasoning ANYWHERE! So I made my own. And the recipe still turned out great. So here's what I did-
Old Bay Seasoning
Ingredients:
source: About.com

• 1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool place.