Today I made Fish and Chips for the first time in about thirty years. We had a Chip shop in the early eighties so I have had plenty of experience to carry out the task. I bought fresh Cod, Maris Piper Potatoes, Mushy Peas and a bottle of Organic Sunflower Oil. The batter was simple to make made of self raising flower seasoned with pepper and mustard. I knew using a small pan would not retain the heat so I used a WOK to get the oil a bit deeper to see if I would hold the heat. It was successful with the battered fish. I made the chips in two portions again to keep the heat. The chips were OK but they browned and Maris Pipers should not go Brown. In the Chip Shop my chips were crisp golden and fluffy in the middle. We bought the spuds Maris Pipers from Lincolnshire, which were much superior, to the ones I have just cooked. I used to buy frozen at sea German Cod this again was a much better flavour than my latest effort.
I would have given my Chip Shop Fish and Chips 9 out of 10 for taste and quality. My latest effort would only get 5 out of 10 for the chips and 7 out of 10 for the fish. I will have to grow some decent Maris Pipers, and but a box of the frozen at sea Cod. Maybe get a single pan commercial deep fat fryer. I love fish and chips, but I only enjoy them if they are perfect.
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