Do you want to try the traditional flavor of a good Fish & Traditional English style chips? This recipe is one of the UK specialties very popular around the world as a light street food combining fried fish with chips and usually pea sauce.
Similar to the preparation of tempura, part of the success of fish & chips lies in knowing how to combine the different ingredients that make it up, step by step, from the batter to the frying of the fish to give it an enhanced and satiating flavor.
In today’s article we will show you some of the curiosities of this combined dish, which you can also try in our Irish pub in Barcelona with all its quality and flavor.
The origin
Although there is no official date, it is known that fish & chips were initially introduced to the United Kingdom through Jewish immigration from Spain and Portugal, since in 1492 the Catholic kings expelled them from the territory through the edict of Granada to avoid religious conversion to Judaism.
This was because many of the immigrants who arrived in England used to eat fried fish, a custom that was adapted among the local population centuries later. However, it was not until 1860 when this dish became popular with that name, at the hands of Joseph Malin, who began to market it, taking advantage of the popularity of street food or take-away (take-away).
Finally, in 1896 the first restaurants specializing in this type of fast food began to appear. Back then they were known as “chip shops” and occasionally because of their low price It was frequented by people from the working class. According to official statistics, in 1910 more than 10,000 chip shops were opened throughout England.
Other Fish & Chips recipes
Although in the original recipe the fish must be cod, it is usually replaced by other types such as haddock, hake, sole, flounder, caviar and sometimes there are even strange variations of the dish with sea bream or sardines.
As you can see in the result, the fish is generally coated in a mixture of flour and egg and is accompanied with potatoes seasoned with salt and vinegar. Now the fish & Chips is not only popular in the United Kingdom, but in other coastal countries such as the USA, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Latin America they are highly appreciated.
Finally, in our Mediterranean gastronomy we can find similar variants such as the Andalusian fried “pescaíto”
Password!
Throughout the first world war, the fish & chips became very popular among the battalions as a fast food ration.
That is why some officers of the boat post used these words to identify themselves in code with the allied squadrons.
Generally, the code used was “fish” and the consequent response was “chips”. However, it is not a unique case in England.
In New Zealand during World War II there was a battalion of British soldiers from the company “fish & chips” partly because the press photographed them eating it.
In this period of scarcity, the British government took care not to ration and supply this food to the population due to its enormous popularity and consumption.
Famous charachters
Similar to the mojito there are a number of authors who have dedicated homage to this dish of fried fish and potatoes, one of these authors was the famous writer Charles Dickens, who made reference to a fried fish warehouse in his well-known work ‘Oliver Twist’.
Other personalities such as the English president Winston Churchill and the singer John Lennon practically made their affiliation known and even the film director Alfred Hitchcock owned a fish & family chips.
And up to here our 4 curiosities dedicated to fish & chips, if you’re left hungry or curious, don’t forget to visit other dishes on our menu.
