Chip in to celebrate one of UK’s favourite dishes
It’s official ... fried potatoes are good for your health as well as your budget
It’s time to tuck into among our nation’s traditional family-friendly feasts, National Chip Week this year celebrated until February 26. Brainchild of AHDB Potatoes, previously the Potato Council, the week aims to encourage more people to eat chips and dispel its myths.
Between the 19th and 20th century, fish and chips grew in popularity across the UK, becoming one of the population’s favourite meals.
During World War Two fish and chips played an important role. It was one of the non-rationed foods, complementing soldiers’ and British people’s diets.
Fish and chips are still one of the top ten most popular British dishes today.
Chip timeline
1680: earliest evidence of chips in history when Belgians cut potatoes into fish shapes, and deep fry them during winter.
1800s: Sir Walter Raleigh brings potatoes to England from the New World.
1817: William Kitchiner publishes his cookbook, which includes a recipe for potato chips.
1860s: The Lee and Malin families launch their fish and chips shops in Oldham and London.
Chip facts
Fish and chips have always been called that in the UK.
People also use modern slang "chippy” for fish and chips shops.
Cod is the most popular fish for fish and chips. Chefs, on the other hand, will choose haddock.
The oldest fish and chip shop in the world is based in Yeadon near Leeds, operating since 1865.
The number of fish and chips shops in the UK has fallen to 10,500 compared to 90 years ago when there were 35,000.
Brits consume 382 million portions of fish and chips yearly and spend up to £1.2 billion pounds annually on them
During D-Day Landings of World War Two British soldiers identified each other by calling out "fish" and waiting for the other person to respond "chips".
Marini’s in Glasgow sold 12,406 portions of fish and chips in one day.
Chips are healthy, made from potatoes, scientifically proven to provide various health benefits.
Eating potato chips can help improve your bone health, lower your blood pressure, promote heart health and increase immunity against the common cold.
Chips are relatively cheap for a meal that gives us so much deliciousness, memories and health benefits.
Depending on the city a portion of fish and chips costs between £5 and £12. That's value for money when compared to £7 to £15 pizza and £6 to £12 chicken tikka masala.
Fish and chips rose to prominence during World War Two when Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to them as the “good companions”.
It was one of the few foods that were not rationed, among most eaten foods during that period.
Celebrating chips To make the classic fish and chips at home, you will need a thick white fish (cod, haddock or pollock) cut into fillets, flour, baking powder, cold dark beer, sparkling cold water, potatoes, vegetable oil or lard for frying, black pepper and sea salt to
taste.
There are many fish and chips shops across the UK. Go out of your way this National Chip Week to try the ones close to you.
Do not forget accompaniments of salt and vinegar. Bread and butter and mushy peas are also recommended.
Tartar sauce is optional as well as gravy or curry sauce … if you must!