Celebrating National Fish & Chips Day! I’m celebrating by sharing some amazing Fish and Chips recipes today for National Fish & Chip Day in the UK.

with

LOTS of Fishy and Chippy Recipes!

If ever there was a day that should be highlighted in bold in my diary, it has to be this one – National Fish & Chips Day! Fish and chips are my favourite take away food, even more than an Indian or Chinese takeaway, fish and chips are what defines us as a nation, simple and seasonal fare that crosses all class divides. Good fish and chips should be made with locally caught fish, (or British fish at least) and locally grown potatoes, (again, British spuds are best) which are cooked until golden brown and crispy, to be eaten outdoors, preferably by the seaside, with salt and vinegar (malt vinegar is my choice)…….and, if you can still find it, eaten from grease-proof paper that is wrapped in newspaper……that for me, would be my last supper, sat on a wooden bench in Scarborough or Whitby, with the salty North Sea breeze blowing through my hair, and my soul.

This Friday the 2nd June 2017, is National Fish & Chips Day in the UK, and in order to get the celebrations on their way, I’ve decided to share some of my best fishy recipes on Lavender and Lovage, as well some recipes from other blogs and sites too. When it comes to fish and chips from a “chippy”, I’m a haddock fan, but when I cook this classic British dish at home, it’s hake that I nearly always turn to for my fish of choice. For me, every time I buy British fish, I am thankful for the people who go out there in all weathers to catch it and land it, and when I am home in Yorkshire, my favourite mail order shop is from John of Delish Fish, which is fish that may have been caught on the Budding Rose, (PD418, a 24 metre steel fishing vessel based in PETERHEAD in North East Scotland) or the Lapwing (PD972), out of Peterhead in Scotland.

Eating fish and chips in Wackers in Scarborough with my mum and dad, are some of my happiest, (and saddest memories since my dad died 6 months ago), this cheap and cheerful fish and chip restaurant is a Scarborough institution, and all my family loves it there.  A small haddock and chips is adequate for me, and the tea is served in a pot and not a cup or a mug, WITH a pot of hot water too. After scoffing your fishy dish, you can wander down to the harbour to see fishing fleet come in, or watch them as they make their way out to sea……with that cheeky North Wind blowing again and the squealing of the seagulls as they wheel around above your head, it brings home just how lucky we are as an Island nation to have access to the sea and to freshly caught fish. It also reminds me of how brave our fishermen are, as often when the wind is howling and the rain is lashing against the windows, I’ve listened the Shipping Forecast, in the comfort of my warm, cosy living room, wondering how they are all faring out at sea.

But back to National Fish and Chips Day! What’s it all about? National Fish and Chip Day (NF&CD) was launched in 2015 to celebrate the nation’s favourite dish. National Fish & Chip Day is about giving fish and chips the recognition it deserves and helping to secure its position as the nation’s favourite dish. The event, which will take place on the first Friday in June every year, already has the backing of key players in the industry. It brings together everyone involved in creating this iconic British dish; from fish and chip shops, pub chains, restaurants, retailers, celebrity chefs, to the fishermen and farmers, who provide the sustainable and natural ingredients needed to create this nutritionally balanced family favourite. And before I share a selection of fish and chips recipes, here’s a few fun facts:

Fishy and Chippy Facts

* Fish and chips played a part in the
D-Day Landings – British soldiers identified
each other by crying out ‘fish’ and waiting
for the response of ‘chips’.

* During the Second World War Winston Churchill
recognised the crucial role of fish and chips,
referring to them as “good companions”. Fish
and chips were two of the few foods not subject
to rationing because the government feared the
dish was so embedded in the nation’s culture
that any limit would damage morale.

* There is a long tradition of funny chip
shop names – our favourites are
The Cod’s Scallops and mobile fish
and chip shop Star Chip Enterprise.

* Fish and chips were first served together as
a dish around 1860 – although their origin is
contested. In London, the Malin family claims to
be first, as do the Lee family in Manchester.

* Fish and chips were served in
newspaper until the 1980’s.

* The Guinness World Record for wrapping chips
is held by Steph Celik of Blue Whale Fish &
Chip Shop in Maltby, South Yorkshire. Beating a
previous record by two seconds in 2012, speedy
Steph wrapped up five 350g portions of chips,
with added salt and vinegar, in just 58 seconds.

Fish and Chips Recipes:

Healthy Fish and Chips for Fish on Friday: Baked Hake & Oven Chips Recipe

Lavender and Lovage

Homemade Fish Fingers, Potato Wedges & Tartare Sauce

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary

Fish and Chips with Seaweed Salt

Palatable Pastime

Real English Fish and Chips in Beer Batter

Lavender and Lovage

Beer-battered fish and triple-cooked chips

Delicious Magazine

Slimming World fish and chips

Good to Know

One Tray Oven Baked Hake and Chips

Lavender and Lovage

British Fish Goujons and Chips

Weight Watchers via The Daily Mail

Fish Fingers and Sweet Potato Chips

Feeding Boys

Low-Calorie Haddock Goujons with Garlic Panko Crumb

Lavender and Lovage

Social Media Tags:

#nationalfishandchipday

On Twitter and Instagram