Jane commented on the Keflavik USO fish specials (Ysa) so I thought I would repost the recipe.
Ysa is the Icelandic word for haddock and we saw scores of it drying on wooden racks, especially on the road out to Grindavik.
The wonderful fish frys at the USO served cod. But many American's referred to it as ysa. Not sure what the Icelandic word for cod is.
Here's the recipe:
BATTER - FRIED FRESH COD
1 1/2 lbs. boneless Icelandic cod fillets, 1 inch thick
1 c. cold water (or beer)
2 tbsp. peanut oil
1 egg yolk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 c. plus 2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Oil for frying
Cut fillets into 10-12 pieces of equal size. Combine water, oil, and egg yolk in mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, and flour. Beat with a wire whisk until blended and smooth. When ready to cook, add baking powder and blend well. Heat oil for frying in deep fryer or frying pan. Dip pieces of cod in the batter, one at a time, and drop into oil. Do not crowd. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown, cooking time will vary with size. Transfer to paper toweling to drain. Serve with tomato horseradish sauce.
Thanks for reposting the recipe as it sure was good.
I’m not sure which species of fish Haddock or Cod was served at the USO. However, to upgrade your knowledge of Icelandic, Cod is þoskur pronounced Thoskur.
While I did know what the Icelandic word was. I had to consult with my technical expert for the spelling.
I have to agree with Ed, the wimpys in the UK were so bad that the Brawdy Bowl burgers were fantastic in comparison. However, since living in New Mexico I can hardly tolerate a cheeseburger without diced green chile. I would have to vote for San Antonio, NM as the home of the best green chile cheeseburger, Owl Cafe or the place across the highway. They are both outstanding.
I have been looking for this recipe since oh...about 1987. We spent many a day in the US while stationed at Keflavik and YSA is probably the best fish we have ever eaten. Thanks for the recipe!!!
The burgers at the Viking weren't all that bad either. At least the bowlers thought so. Perhaps that is why they drank so much beer to get the burger swallowed down!
Actually, the two best burger joints in the world were the BOQ bar at Charleston Naval Station and the BOQ bar at Long Beach Naval Station. Long gone.
The two places where sitting for an hour would let you run into half the people you ever knew in the Navy were Mickey Finns in SD and the Chuck Wagon on the Naval Station at Subic. Ditto long gone.
The best Submarine Sanctuary was (I hope still is) at Yokosuka, Subic a close second.
The two best places in the world to screw up a marriage were the back bar at Oceana, Tailwinds at North Island, and the O Club at Miramar. Yeah, I know that's three but back in the day I tended to lose count.
I don't know if I'd vote it the "best" burger I've ever had but the club at CVB used to have a pretty darn good bacon cheese burger with grilled onions on it.
And when I was in Guam from '85-'87 the best burger on the island IMHO was at the Andersen AFB Palm Tree Golf Course Club House. It was worth the drive.
I can remember the Best Burger I ever ate was in "Doc Zeek's back yard on base in Argentia, NFLD. I recall Dave Williams was there as well as others as we all took a turn at watching and turning amazing moose burgers on a grill outside wearing foul weather jackets. What were we thinking!!!!!
Chuck
