Lekkerbekjes are the Dutch version of “fish and chips” where you have the deep fried fish served in a bun with tartare sauce and some boiled potatoes.
What a match was Spain vs Netherlands yesterday! It is impossible not to be happy 🙂 for the flying Dutch team and very, very sad in the same time for Spanish team 🙁
So, today we are heading first to Netherlands! This beautiful country is most known for its bulb fields, windmills, cheese markets, wooden shoes (Clogs), canals of Amsterdam and..bicycles..so many of them…millions probably. There are so many Dutch delights to try: Poffertjes, Licorice, Bitterballen, Stroopwafels (syrup waffle), Appletaart, etc.
I have decided to make Lekkerbekjes this time, a lightly battered and deep fried fillet of white fish (you can use whiting or cod) that is sold by fish stands all over the country.
I love this Dutch version of classical fish and chips with the deep fried fish served in a bun with tartare sauce and some boiled potatoes. I was very happy just having my fish and tartare sauce in a pretzel bun…no need of boiled potatoes. It is the perfect and quick snack/ lunch! The addition of pretzel bun is perfect….that salty brown crust on the outside and fluffy inside, just perfect for this recipe!
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 tsp fresh dill chopped
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup sparkling mineral water
- vegetable oil to deep-fry
- 4 whiting/ cod fillets pin-boned
- 4 bread rolls sliced open
- lemon wedges and dill sprigs to serve
- 1 tbsp baby capers in brine chopped
- 4 cornichons chopped
- ¼ cup dill sprigs roughly chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- juice from 1 lemon
- To make tartare sauce, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine flour, fresh chopped dill, milk and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl. Add sparkling water, whisking until smooth and thick. Set aside and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Fill a deep-fryer/ large saucepan one-third full with oil and heat over medium. The the oil temperature is ready, dip 2 fish fillets into batter, allowing excess batter to drain off, then gently drop into oil and fry until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Repeat with remaining 6 fish fillets. Spread tartare sauce onto pretzel rolls, top with fish and serve with lemon wedges and dill sprigs.
- Enjoy!
This recipe was adapted from Feast magazine, October 2013, Issue 25.
Pang says
omg!!! Oana. This looks SO GOOD. It’s my kind of food, really.
Love this recipe and love your photo 🙂
Oana Iancu says
Thank you so much Pang!It is so delicious..and the tartare sauce..OMG!
Oana Iancu says
Thank you so much!It is a very easy and quick dish and so delicious!
Lynn |The Road to Honey says
I’ve flown through Amsterdam many times, and, looking out the plane’s window, was completely in awe of the landscape. Can you believe that I have never actually taken the time to explore this beautiful city? But now you are giving me yet another reason to pay this little country a visit. This fish and chips looks absolutely divine and since the Mr. is a big fish and chips fan himself. . .I know this would be a big hit in our household.
Adore Foods says
Oh, we would love to explore Amsterdam one day too! It is my daughter’s favorite city and it’s on top of the list when will come to Europe. Hope Mr. will enjoy these crunchy treats. They are a big hit whenever I am making them!