Ah fish and chips and Ireland… Much more than just a dish: it’s a true love story for the Irish! Extremely popular with the local population, this legendary dish is part of the local culinary heritage. As well as being tasty, it’s renowned for being a quick, family-friendly, universal dish. Then there’s the price factor: you can’t go broke on fish and chips: the dish is economical, which is a real plus! Would you like to try this iconic dish on your next trip to Ireland? Here we go!
Fish and chips – © magone
There’s nothing complicated about fish and chips. It’s a specialty based on fresh fish, caught the same day, which is rolled in breadcrumbs, fried, served with home fries and a small portion of vegetables (so as not to feel too guilty). Typically, this might be coleslaw (a salad with cabbage and light mayonnaise), or mashed split peas.
Finally, fish and chips are usually served with a sauce. Mayo sauce, tartar sauce… there’s something for everyone!
It’s essentially a deep-fried dish, but it can also be a very light one if it’s been prepared in the right way.
Because a good fish and chips, worthy of the name in Ireland, is based on several essential rules:
Fish must be ultra-fresh, boneless and cooked to the minute. We generally use white fish, appreciated for the quality of their flesh, which holds up well to cooking. The breading should be enveloping, light and crispy. The batter must be prepared for the same day: this is one of the prerequisites for quality fried fish! As for fries, forget the industrial stuff – nothing beats the taste of a real potato, fried on the spot!
In addition to its memorable taste, fish and chips has a lot going for it.
Very economical compared to the cost of a traditional meal, a fish and chips meal averages no more than €7 per person, and you’ll be served plenty of it, with the option of choosing the fish you like.
You’ll usually be offered a choice of halibut, cod, haddock or skate… Of course, all the fish on offer are fresh daily and must be of the highest quality!
The dish is usually served very quickly. Easy to make, it takes no more than 10 minutes to serve your fish.
Fish and chips are most often served in newspaper, in a tray or on a plate. It all depends on your mood and your day’s activities, whether you want to eat on the run or sit down and take your time. (Newsprint is a good solution if you’re in a hurry: you can eat it while you walk).
You can also add a sauce to your dish: vinegar, relish, malt vinegar (an accompaniment the Irish are crazy about), ketchup, tartar sauce or mayonnaise are usually available… It’s all a question of taste and desire.
There’s a real craze for fish and chips in Ireland these days. So successful, in fact, that some restaurants and chains specialize in this dish alone. Some have even opened “chains” that allow you to find the same brand in several places in Ireland. Among the most famous in Dublin are Beshoff’s and Leo Burdock.
Don’t hesitate to try them out!
For 4 people, please allow :
For the breadcrumbs :
Enjoy your meal!
3.65/5 (40 votes)
