Beer Batter Fried Catfish

1-1/2 lb. catfish fillets, cut into strips
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 cup flat beer
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 inch peanut oil in a skillet

Sift and blend the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Mix the tablespoon cooking oil, beer and Tabasco sauce and add to the flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Chill the batter. Heat the peanut oil to 375 degrees. Dip the cold strips of fish in the cold batter and cook in the hot oil for about 4 minutes. keep each batch of fried fish warm in a 200 degree oven while the next batch is cooking. Allow the oil to return to 375 degrees before cooking more fish. Serve with cocktail or tartar sauce. Serves 4.