Jamie Oliver's British Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas

If you are looking for a classic British dish, you can't go wrong with fish and chips with mushy peas. This is a simple but satisfying meal that consists of deep-fried fish in batter, thick-cut fries, and cooked green peas mashed with butter and salt. You can enjoy this dish with some malt vinegar, tartar sauce, or ketchup on the side. Here are some tips on how to make the best fish and chips with mushy peas at home.

Fish and chips with mushy peas is a classic British dish that many people enjoy. But do you know when and how it was invented? In this blog post, we will explore the history of this tasty meal and how it became a national favourite.

The origins of fish and chips are not very clear, but some historians believe that they date back to the 17th century, when Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Spain introduced fried fish to England. The first recorded mention of fish and chips together was in 1860, when a Londoner named Joseph Malin opened a shop selling both items. He combined the Jewish tradition of frying fish with the Irish habit of eating potatoes, and created a cheap and filling dish that appealed to the working class.

Mushy peas, on the other hand, are a more recent addition to the plate. They are made from dried marrowfat peas that are soaked overnight and then boiled with sugar and salt until they form a thick green paste. They are thought to have originated in the north of England in the 19th century, as a way of preserving peas during the winter months. They became a popular accompaniment to fish and chips in the 1970s, when chip shops started offering them as an alternative to baked beans or curry sauce.

Today, fish and chips with mushy peas is still a beloved dish in Britain, especially on Fridays or special occasions. It is estimated that around 382 million portions of fish and chips are consumed every year in the UK, making it one of the most popular takeaway foods in the country. Whether you prefer cod or haddock, vinegar or ketchup, you can't go wrong with this classic combination of flavours.

Here is the recipe for Jamie Oliver's British Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas:

Serves: 4

Cooking time: 55 Minutes.

Ingredients:

900 g potatoes
Sunflower oil, for deep-frying
225 g white fish fillets, skin off, pin-boned, from sustainable sources
225 g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
285 ml cold beer
3 heaped teaspoons baking powder

Mushy Peas

A few sprigs of fresh mint
1 knob of unsalted butter
4 handfuls of podded peas
½ a lemon

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into fries.
3. For the mushy peas, chop the mint leaves finely. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat, add the peas and mint, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste – you can either puree the peas in a food processor, or mash them by hand until thick and smooth. Keep them warm until needed.
5. Heat the sunflower oil in a deep fryer or a large pan to 190°C/375°F.
6. Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper on both sides – this will make them firmer and tastier.
7. Whisk the flour, beer and baking powder together until smooth – it should be thick enough to coat the fish.
8. Dust each fish fillet with some extra flour, then dip into the batter and let any excess drip off. Carefully lower the fish into the oil one by one – don't overcrowd the fryer or pan.
9. Fry for 4 minutes, or until golden and crisp, then drain on paper towels.

About Chef Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is a famous British chef, author, and television personality. He is known for his campaigns to promote healthy eating and cooking skills, especially among children and families. He has written over 30 cookbooks and hosted several TV shows, such as The Naked Chef, Jamie's Kitchen, and Jamie's School Dinners. He also runs a chain of restaurants called Jamie's Italian, as well as a social enterprise called Fifteen, which trains disadvantaged young people to become chefs.

I hope you liked this recipe and will give it a try soon. Let me know how yours turned out in the comments below!