Beer-battered Fish

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
2/3 cup beer
2 large egg whites
2 cups dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 firm white fish fillets, such as catfish or tilapia, cut into 4 x 1-inch strips
Cooking spray
Malt vinegar (optional)



Preheat oven to 450°.

Coat the bottom of a jelly roll pan with oil.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, pepper, and garlic salt in a large bowl. Add beer; stir well. Beat egg whites with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg white mixture into flour mixture.

Combine breadcrumbs and parsley in a shallow dish. Working with one fish strip at a time, dip in flour mixture; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining strips, flour mixture, and breadcrumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet. Lightly coat strips with cooking spray.

Bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove from oven.

Preheat broiler.

Broil the fish sticks 1 minute or until tops are lightly browned. Serve fish sticks with malt vinegar, if desired.


--Adapted from Cooking Light magazine