GillBilly Style Creole Fish and Chips

2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup ale or beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning, plus 2 teaspoons, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 pounds cod or pollack fillets, cut into 4-ounce pieces
6 cups vegetable oil
Malt vinegar, accompaniment

Heat the oil in a deep fat fryer or large, heavy pot to 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F.

Fry the potatoes in the oil until golden brown, turning to cook evenly, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season with GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning, to taste, and transfer to a baking sheet. Place in the oven to keep warm until ready to serve. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, the ale, egg, milk, 1 tablespoon GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk to make a smooth batter the consistency of cream, adding more ale, as needed, to thin. (Use the batter as soon as possible after making.) Place the remaining 3/4 cup flour and 2 teaspoons GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning in a shallow dish.

Season the fish with the remaining tablespoon of GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning. Dip the fillets first into flour to lightly coat, then into the batter, and back into the flour, shaking to remove any excess. Fry in the oil for until crisp and golden brown, turning, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season lightly with salt. Serve immediately with the fried potatoes and malt vinegar.

GillBilly Catch of the Day Creole Seasoning

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
Doug Larson