Fish and Chips

[Graham Ritchie]

When I came to NZ I stayed with a family who always had a Fish and Chip night, usually a Thursday ,that's when most folk get paid, usually in cash with your pay slip. We would make up an order and go to our local Fish and Chip shop. Getting home the contents still wrapped up, would be placed on the floor, we would all sit around it, open up the wrapping, have a bowl of vinegar some tomato sauce on the floor as well, and with your fingers away you go. It was always a good time to catch up with everyone that Thursday evening over some fish and chips. This below video is of a family fish and chips shop in Riccarton here in Christchurch. Even when we worked overtime late in the airline, there were times, someone would say fancy "fish and chips", make a list of who want what, collect the money and send the apprentice of get them. Anyway these days we still have a fish and chip night, although not every week

[Phillip Campey]

I always thought fish and chips was only popular in the Uk, it’s great to see it’s just as popular in other parts of the world.

[Steve Klare]

I had an Aunt and Uncle who grew up near Boston and unless there was some big reason, they did Wienies and Beans every Saturday Night. It even had to be the exact same brand of baked beans.

This is a huge New England thing but even moving to Washington DC after they got married didn't change this at all! (This Uncle's two brothers and wives were a lot more flexible on this subject.)

Personally, I love New England, but I am not a fan of Wienies and Beans: I'll do Fish and Chips instead any time!

-on the other hand, if you start talking New England Clam Chowder: now you've got my attention!

[Osi Osgood]

I once worked at a truck stop, and they literally had a soup chef working there. This person makes the greatest cream soups. He made a clam chowder that was heavenly. Since it was made from fresh ingredients, including the cream, he couldn't keep it overnight, so who was the lucky busboy who got take the extra home? You guessed it! I always prayed that the soup wouldn't sell well that night, so I could take massive jugs of it home. I don't think he bothered to dice up the clams, the chunks were so big!

[Douglas Meltzer]

Oh no! We've gone off topic from fish & chips to clam chowder!

Graham, thank you for the video link. Eamon Joe's story is fascinating and the amount of prep required is exhausting!

[Osi Osgood]

Steve mentioned "chowder", hee hee!

[Steve Klare]

-really just reassuring my New England friends I don't hate their food! When I go up there, "eating" is high on my do-list!

Fish and Chips is very common on American menus. My only gripe is too many of 'em cheat and serve french fries as chips!

[David Strelitz]

Fish and Chips in the UK, from the local "chippy" used to be a cheap family meal. Those days have gone, with the cost of Fish, Potatoes, Energy and associated costs rising sharply. As a connoisseur of F&C, the variation in quality is beyond vast. At one end of the scale, fresh fish, Cod or Haddock off the boats or direct from the market, cooked to order in veg oil with a light batter...and then dodgy frozen unnamed fish, with a thick greasy batter, that could be used as the sole for builder's boots, cooked in old car sump oil. Sadly we have experienced both.
Yes, I have a couple of favourites and when in London https://www.seashellrestaurant.co.uk/ is top of my list, either eat in or takeaway 😋
However at Maison Steph and Dave's Chippy, we do a pretty mean Cod and Chips, either in Beer batter or Matzo Meal, which I prefer to Panko breadcrumbs.
I'm hungry now but have to go off to the gym...cardio rehab...can't think why.🤔🤔🤔

[Ed Gordon]

Eccentric Seattle: Ivar Haglund, The Captain of Kitsch

[Graham Ritchie]

Looks good Ed a couple of nights ago we decided fish and chips. Yvonne got on her phone......"Two pieces of fish, one scoop of chips and half a dozen onion rings"....and who is it for? Yvonne, 15 minutes was the reply. By the time we got to the "Silver Dolphin" round the corner it was ready to pick up, pay for, and take home

One thing about fish, is that if it smells its not fresh, so avoid buying it, same if you have fish in a restaurant, what Yvonne does at the supermarket and as she knows the lady on the fish counter, she sniffs it for Yvonne and either will nod her head up and down, or side ways. Its quite funny to watch this going on and to listen in to there conversation

So there you have it, if it smells don't touch, fresh fish wont

[Ed Gordon]

Graham, those pieces of fish Yvonne ordered must be large. When I go to Ivar's I always get the 5 piece of Pacific Cod ("the full boat"). What kind of fish is popular in New Zealand?

[Chip Gelmini]

Fish and chips on Cape Cod was always delicious. Been there and done that many times......

[Graham Ritchie]

Hi Ed

There is quite a range of fish Teriki/Hoki/Gurnard to name a few. I usually go for "Hoki" each fillet cooked comes to about 6 to 8 inches long. At the supermarket Yvonne at the moment is getting Pearl which is very nice. On the BBQ I like smaller pieces of Hoki rolled up in tin foil with a little garlic butter.

[Graham Ritchie]

This went up on you-tube a month ago so if you feel like a Catch and Cook gourmet fish dinner watch this

[Ed Gordon]

Hi Ed

There is quite a range of fish Teriki/Hoki/Gurnard to name a few. I usually go for "Hoki" each fillet cooked comes to about 6 to 8 inches long. At the supermarket Yvonne at the moment is getting Pearl which is very nice. On the BBQ I like smaller pieces of Hoki rolled up in tin foil with a little garlic butter.

I had to look up "Hoki". In general, I believe "white fish" makes the best fish and chips. Ivar's in Seattle offers Salmon fish and chips, but I always go for the Cod.