Beerless Batter

My brother caught a huge cod the other day and it was only appropriate that half be used for a Fish 'n' Chips diner. As you may already know, one usually makes a beer batter with which to coat the fish pieces before submerging them in a vat of boiling oil. The general store was closed at the time of the catch and we had no beer in the fridge. So, as many inventions go, we substituted. My aunt basically knows a lot about the chemistry in cooking, so she knew what would most likely work. And my goodness, did it work! Golden fried deliciousness all at our fingertips!
Here's her recipe:

Beerless Batter
1 cup flour
2 tsp salt or Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp yeast
1/2 cup warm water (more may be needed)

Mix dry ingredients together and then add the warm water. Stir until the batter is gooey. Add more water if needed.

Fish 'n' Chips
Serves 3 people
1-2 pounds de-boned cod
vat of boiling grease (a soup pot filled half way with oil that is safe for hi-heat cooking)
4 large potatoes
bowl of Beerless Batter
old newspaper or paper-towels
lemon slices
white vinegar

Prepare the grease receptacle tray by placing several sheets of newspaper or paper-towels on a cookie sheet. Keep this tray near the stove, but not so near that the oil soaked paper will combust.
Cut fish into reasonable pieces, maybe 3-4 inches long and an inch thick. Heat oil on stove at high heat until bubbles start to form. Coat fish in batter and carefully drop into vat. Turn the frying goodness often until batter is golden. Do not remove with hands, fingers, face or any other fleshly surface of the body. Use a metal device custom designed for the removal of food from hot substances such as a spatula or tongs. Place golden fried cod chunks on the grease receptacle tray. Once cooled slightly, place on a platter and put in a warm oven or equivalent until all else is prepared for the meal.
Cut potatoes into desired shapes and place a medium handful into vat, (also using specified metal device). Cover remaining potatoes pieces so they don't look like death later. Remove "chips" from oil only when they are golden and place on the newspaper tray, (once again using the aforementioned device). Salt. Repeat until all potatoes are successfully transformed into "chips".
Prepare lemon slices and vinegar.
Allow the diner ceremony to commence!