Authentic fish and chips

Traditionally the English 'fish and chips' (** see etymological note at the end) consists of battered fish (usually cod or haddock), chips and 'mushy peas'.  The whole meal can be bought in a 'fish and chip shop' - where the fish and chips are deep fried.  Delicious, but possibly unhealthy - especially for the poor fish!

Until not very long ago the meal used to be wrapped in greaseproof paper, which was then wrapped in newspaper - a cheaply available and convenient thermal insulator.  This kept the meal hot for long enough to take it home.

Sadly the tradition has gone due to the modern preoccupation with hygiene and the wastefulness that goes with the comparative affluence of today's world.  Now we recycle the newspaper and use fresh new paper to wrap the meal.  What a waste! 

I never heard of anyone poisoned by a newspaper.  Not even by the Daily Mail!

Enjoying an evening meal at a local hostelry, the Wainwright Inn at Chapel Stile, the fish and chips arrived on a plate like this, complete with mushy peas and tartar sauce.

The meal was delicious.  I couldn't help smiling to myself and wondering what ridiculous hoops the chef had to jump through to prove that this copy of the Financial Times was not contravening the food hygiene regulations!

See a post from last March - The Peace of Cod


Small etymological note:  The English use of the word 'chips' is preferred here.   I'll translate for other English speakers around the world.  Chips = French Fries (at least broadly speaking, although these English fries tend to be a bit thicker than the French ones).

Another small note, almost unrelated:  On buying salmon in a shop, the customer asked whether it was wild.  The assistant replied "Wild?  It wasn't just wild - it was absolutely furious!"