Fish Sandwich a la McDonalds

But WHY?!? - you might ask.  YOU know why.  There is something about smelling McDonalds when you're already hungry that goes straight to your amygdala and makes you WANT it.  You know.  Like crack.

But then, if you try one, you realize that it is only chemicals you're tasting and you're both stuffed and unsatisfied at the same time.  Fear no more!  Below is a tested and approved version of the "filet-o-fish" sandwich that can be made with all organic ingredients.

Bargain-basement food

McDonald's filet-o-fish

Like mom used to buy!

Ingredients:

• Cod filets (1 should be enough for two sandwiches)
• American cheese (2 slices)
• Pancake mix (1 cup, plus a little more)
• 1 egg
• 8 oz sprite
• mayonnaise (approx 1/4 cup)
• dill relish (approx 3 Tbsp)
• onion, finely chopped (approx 1 Tbsp)
• butter
• buns

1.  Cut the cod filet into sandwich-sized pieces.  Coat in a little bit of pancake batter and chill 20 minutes.
2. Mix the tartar sauce and set aside (mayonnaise, dill relish and onion).
3. Mix the batter (pancake mix, egg, sprite).
4. Heat butter in a frying pan.
5. Dip fish into batter to cover and fry over medium-high heat for 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, turning to cook both sides (poke fish with a fork and rotate to make sure it is done - it should flake).
6. While fish is cooking, heat butter in another frying pan and put buns, face down in the butter, to fry for a bit.
7. When the fish is finished, put each battered filet on a plate, top with the cheese and microwave on medium for 30 seconds.  
8. Put one tablespoon of tartar sauce on each side of the bun, and put the fish on the sandwich.  Close/cover, and eat!

 This has the same consistency, tartness, sweetness and greasiness of the McDonald's fish sandwich.  We couldn't replicate the sponginess of the bun though - the way it makes noise when you touch it and the way it sticks to your teeth.  The panel all agreed though that it was probably preferable that we didn't replicate that.

Enjoy!

(If you're looking for a bottle of wine to pair with your McDonald's, I recommend the Laurent Miquel Pere et Fils Syrah Grenache 2010, at only $10 a bottle, it is a perfect match with the bargain meal!)