fish and chips and shrimp bisque..

when we were on vacation in seattle, this was the first meal we had. it was so good, i want to try this at home, so i am going to post the recipe here so i can find it later. here is my pic from that meal. let me know how yours goes if you make it. i am anxious to try this:

Fish and Chips:
ingredients:
4 large boiling potatoes (2 1/4 lb)
3 qt vegetable oil (96 fl oz)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (12-oz) bottle cold beer (preferably ale)
1 1/2 lb haddock or cod fillets, skinned, pin bones removed, and fish cut diagonally into 1-inch-wide strips (5 to 6 inches long)
Special equipment: a deep-fat thermometer
Accompaniment: malt vinegar
prep:
Peel potatoes and halve lengthwise, then cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges, transferring as cut to a large bowl of ice and cold water. Chill 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a deep 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until it registers 325°F on thermometer. While oil is heating, drain potatoes and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Fry one third of potatoes, stirring gently, until edges are just golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to fresh paper towels to drain. Fry remaining potatoes in 2 batches, returning oil to 325°F between batches. Remove oil from heat and reserve. Cool potatoes, about 25 minutes.

Heat oil over moderately high heat until it registers 350°F. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 250°F.

Fry potatoes again, in 3 batches, until deep golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes per batch. Return oil to 350°F between batches. Transfer with slotted spoon to fresh paper towels as fried and drain briefly, then arrange in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan and keep warm in upper third of oven.

Increase oil temperature to 375°F. Sift 1 1/2 cups flour into a bowl, then whisk in beer gently until just combined. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Pat fish dry. Sprinkle fish on both sides with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then dredge in remaining 1/2 cup flour, shaking off excess. Coat 4 pieces of fish in batter, 1 at a time, and slide into oil as coated. Fry coated fish, turning over frequently, until deep golden and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in lower third of oven, then fry remaining fish in batches of 4, returning oil to 375°F between batches.

Season fish and chips with malt vinigar

Shrimp bisque:
ingredients:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1 1/2 pound medium shrimp (about 45), peeled, deveined, shells reserved
2 bay leaves, divided
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup long-grain white rice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon (or more) cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
prep:
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add shrimp shells and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 bay leaf and 8 cups water. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Strain, discarding solids. DO AHEAD: Shrimp stock can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool slightly; chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until just opaque in center, 3-4 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a plate. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to same pot. Add carrots, celery, and onion and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until very soft, about 20 minutes.

Remove pot from heat; add brandy. Return pot to heat and stir until almost evaporated, 2-3 minutes. Add rice and tomato paste; stir for 1 minute. Add shrimp stock, remaining bay leaf, parsley, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. Simmer uncovered until flavors meld and rice is soft, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve 4 shrimp for garnish and stir remaining shrimp into bisque. Remove parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.

Working in batches, purée bisque in a blender until smooth. Pour through a finemesh strainer set over a clean pot. Discard solids in strainer. Stir in cream and reheat bisque over medium heat. Add lemon juice. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more cayenne, if desired.

Mince reserved shrimp and mix with chives in a small bowl. Place 1 heaping tablespoon shrimp mixture in the center of large, shallow soup bowls. Ladle bisque around garnish and serve.