This is a post dedicated to rainy days sitting in shabby looking cafes on the seafront. The smell of vinegar permeates the air and steam rises from mugs of tea; some may argue, but this is the ultimate in comfort food.
Answer me one question. How on earth am I supposed to lose some of the weight gained over Christmas when people keeping forcing me to eat food like this? I mean, it’s not like I can say no - it’s rude, and most of all it’s in my blood; I’m British therefore I eat fish and chips…
Fish and Chips Recipe - Ingredients
- 1kg Maris Piper or King Edward Potatoes
- 1 fillet of fish per person. Traditionally, select Haddock or Cod - but in this age of sustainability awareness choose an alternative such as Pollock.
For The Batter:
- 200g Self Raising Flour
- 275ml Beer
- Salt and Pepper to taste
English Fish and Chips Recipe - Method
For The Chips…
- Prepare the potatoes by peeling, and cutting into chips approximately 1.5cm thick.
- Part boil the chips in salted water until slightly softened, this will take about 5 minutes.
- Heat enough oil in a deep pan (or deep fat fryer) to completely cover the chips, to approximately 190 degrees.
- Prepare the potatoes by peeling, and cutting into chips approximately 1.5cm square.
- Dry with a kitchen towel, and place in the hot oil until golden brown on the exterior. Dry again with kitchen towel before serving.
For The Fish…
- Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and eggs, and whisk briskly until frothy.
- Heat enough oil in a deep pan (or deep fat fryer) to completely cover the fish, to approximately 190 degrees.
- Sprinkle the fish in flour (to dry the surface), and dip in the batter. 5. Put fish in the hot oil, and cook until exterior is golden brown and crunchy.
And Finally…
Serve on sheets of old newspaper for a truly authentic feel. Serve with malt vinegar, mushy peas, salt, and the best ketchup you can find. Enjoy!
January 20th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I’ll probably never make my own fish and chips. But there is a place in Salt Lake that sells (what they claim are) “authentic” English fish and chips. Of course they are NOT on my diet, but every once in a while I have to have some!
January 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I don’t make fish and chips at home, but I remember the best I’ve ever had, sitting on a hill overlooking a beautiful bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Perfect weather, perfect fish, and a perfect taste memory.
January 20th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
It’s impossible, you can’t say no, you just have to accept it, load your plate up with fish and chips and enjoy!
January 21st, 2008 at 10:13 am
It’s 9am, I have at least 3 hours to lunch and had breakfast an hour ago. You have made me start feeling hungry already!
January 21st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Kalyn: I can’t imagine living in a country without chips. England is full of chips, pizza, Chinese and Indian takeaways. Oh, such class!
Lydia: It does sound perfect…Mine always turns out to be next to a grey looking North Sea on the Yorkshire coast covered in rain…
Brilynn: Done! I’m blaming it on you
Mike: They’re good for you - tuck in! Well, ok, they’re not good for you…But you won’t live forever anyway
January 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Actually, yes, I did tag you, he he
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Now you’re making me miss the old Friday night Fish Fry from back home… Always with beer batter!
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Coffee & Vanilla: Excellent! How much do I owe you? :p
katie: Mmmnn…I think my next stop just has to be an Indian Takeaway now. I’ll be fat but happy!
February 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I made a “low-cal” fish ‘n chips for my husband the other night. I sauteed it in oil rather than deep frying. Is that heresy to a Brit?
It’s been three days, and I swear vinegar is still hanging in the air.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I’m sure that’s a more than acceptable method. Many lazy Brits even have oven chips, these days, so anything passes. And vinegar has that effect sometimes - the last time I made a chutney it was just awful!
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
If my boyfriend saw that picture, he’d probably cry. He misses what he calls “fat chips”. For some strange reason, the chips in the UK are fatter than the ones here in Australia. And I’m not one to do any deep frying at home!
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Y: I always imagine Australian food to be just great with or without chips - but I’ve never been so wouldn’t really know. Perhaps one day!
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Scott: It is! But sometimes, the boy’s gotta have his fish ‘n’ chips..