Fish and chips
 | |
| Alternative names | Fish supper / Fish 'n' chips |
|---|---|
| Course | Main dish |
| Place of origin | England |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Battered and fried fish with deep-fried chips |
Fish and chips is a hot dish made of fried fish and chips. This dish came from England and is a traditional food of the UK. It is a popular kind of fast food in some parts of the world. Shops and restaurants that offer fish and chips are easy to find in Australia and New Zealand. They are most common in England. The first fish and chips were found in the East end of London in the late 19th Century.
The fish
[change | change source]Traditionally, cod, haddock, or (rarely) flounder are used to make fish and chips. Of these, cod is by far the most popular. Other fish with white meat can be used as well, for example whiting or plaice. Many places that serve fish and chips have more than one kind of fish. The customers can then choose what kind of fish they want.
The fish is always dipped in batter, which is a kind of liquid mixture which hardens upon frying. After that, it will be fried for a short time. The phrase 'fish and chips' implies that it will be fried in batter; of course, in a fish restaurant, grilling or boiling would be alternatives. Fish cooked like that do not have batter. Typically fish and chips is eaten with salt and vinegar.
The chips
[change | change source]The chips are made from sliced potatoes. They are larger than French fries. Large slices of potatoes are fried to make chips.
Other side-dishes
[change | change source]Very often there are other side-dishes that are served with Fish and chips (also called a 'chippie' or 'fish shop'). They include mushy peas, onions, gherkins (which are baby cucumbers), baked beans and saveloys (long sausages). Sometimes, you can ask for 'scrapings' which are the bits of crunchy batter that have fallen off the fish when it was frying. In Northern England there is also the variety chips and gravy (a little sauce) on the chips. It is less common in the rest of the country but sometimes you can also find 'curry sauce' in other parts of the UK. In Australia and New Zealand, fish and chip takeaway shops often offer sides like corn dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Other things to note
[change | change source]
Fish and chips are also sold out of mobile shops. Very often the shops and restaurants that serve fish and chips do not have a license to serve alcohol. Some nutritionists criticize fish and chips, because the meal contains a large amount of fat.
Other websites
[change | change source]
Media related to Fish and chips at Wikimedia Commons
Fish and Chips at Wikibook Cookbooks