Beer Battered Fish and Better than Primanti's-style Slaw!

Some lads and lassies think corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day is the way to go. Not necessarily.
 I've never met an Irishman who didn't like fish and chips. Come to think of it,  I've never met anyone who didn't like fish-n-chips. I have, however, met those who do not like corned beef and cabbage- myself included... and I'm part Irish!

This particular dish is special because New Belgium Brewing Company, known for it's Fat Tire Amber Ale,  will donate $1 to their "glass that gives" program for every picture submitted to them with their ale- hence the bottle in my picture on the left. How often do you hear about a brewing company donating money to a non-for profit "do gooder" organization? Not often. So do yourself a favor this St. Patty's day (or ANY day) and buy some Fat Tire Amber Ale, take a picture with it, and skip the corned beef.  Go fish!

My Irish Dad @ Primanti's w/ a signature sammy

Start with your Better-than-Primanti's Slaw- Primanti Bros. is an iconic Pittsburgh Strip District dive known for it's loaded sandwiches with hand cut fries, meat and their famous tangy, mayo-free, slaw. They threw everything together on a sandwich for the iron workers, years ago, who had no time to sit and enjoy everything in a restaurant. The concept stuck and has made Primanti Bros. "a must eat" on your next trip to the iron city. It's awesome, believe me... and I was skeptical, at first. Their slaw is excellent... but not as good as this:  

1lb pkg or bag o' slaw. (Sure, you can DIY and thinly slice your own cabbage and carrots, but, save yourself the trouble and grab a package. I got mine from our local fruit market for .98. SCORE!)
2tsp Ms. Dash Original blend
1tsp salt
1pkg Equal (I dunno what it is about using artificial sweetener with this recipe, but, real sugar just doesn't work)
1/2 cup Rice Wine Vinegar (don't even bother making this w/out the rice wine vinegar)
1/2tsp Celery Seed
1/4 tsp dill (fresh or dried)
1tablespoon Olive Oil

Combine all of those ingredients in a large bowl, toss, cover, and let chill.


Beer Battered O'Fish
2-4lbs of Cod or Haddock (or any firm, hearty fish- Sea bass, Halibut, Snapper will work... unless I am coming over for dinner, in which case, please use Haddock)
1 bottle of oil. (peanut, canola or veggie)
11/2 of flour
3/4tsp mustard powder
2Tbs Old Bay (I used Lazy Susan's Hot Fat Crab's Seasoning)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1 bottle of FAT TIRE AMBER ALE (or any amber ale will do)

Step 1) Preheat your oven to 275- to keep the fish warm after frying.

**If you want to do some hand cut chips (fries) use Alton Brown's technique. It's exactly how I fry... um... fries. Or, just buy some frozen **

Step 2) Get your oil hot, super hot, and ready to fry

In a large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients and mix together in a large bowl. Add your beer and mix. Coat your fish pieces in the mixture and let them sit until you are ready to fry. Drop the fish in the hot oil one at a time for 2 minutes, each. For consistency, turn them on each side in the oil. They should be golden brown. Remove the fish and let it rest on a a bed of paper towels (drain the oil) and then transfer to a cookie sheet in the oven until you are ready to dig in with your slaw!


<-- Make these for the kiddies. Take any store bought white cake mix, prepare per pkg. instructions and separate the batter in different bowls. Add different food coloring in each bowl and pour them, individually, into the cupcake liners and bake. The inside of the cupcakes (and the liners) will be RAINBOWRIFFIC!