Pub Grub: Fish n’ Chips, and other fried goodies…
Recently we were in the mood for some pub grub. I guess it has something to do with the cooler weather settling in, but we were looking for something tasty for movie night, and we had an Irish movie, The Secret of Roan Inish and really good beer, Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout and Post Road’s Pumpkin Ale. So fish n’ chips just seemed so appropriate!
If you have never seen The Secret of Roan Inish. I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorite films, a beautiful tale based on the Orkney Islands myth of Selkies, people who can transform themselves into seals.
The legend goes anyone who steals and hides the skin of the Selkie, when it has shed its skin, while in human form, they can keep the Selkie from being able to resume their seal form. So there are lots of stories of men stealing the skin of a female Selkie so that he can wed her, etc. But the Selkies always long to return to the sea. One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have ever heard, Sealwoman/Yundah by Irish singer, Mary McLaughlin is also about a Selkie. But, I digress….
Anyway, to make the fish n’ chips, I remembered that my good friend, Judy, from No Fear Entertaining had recently made beer battered squash blossoms, and so I decided to use her beer batter for our cod loins (does anyone know why they call them loins? Last time I looked, cod don’t have legs….).
After battering the fish, we had more batter and since I had used the last of the oil, we figured waste not want not, and so we started pulling everything out of the fridge that could be battered and fried – like Bubbies bread n’ butter pickles and some leftover rings of onion. As per tradition, we also had oven baked fries (the chips).
It was a fry festival! Like how I had to add some basil to the dish for the picture? It just looked too monotone without a little color in there!
This was a great dinner and was perfect for the movie and the delicious beer to wash it all down!
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kat - December 17, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Yummy! & aren’t deep fried pickles just the best?!
jessica - December 17, 2008 at 2:56 pm
That looks so good and I wish I had some fish and chips right now…
Esi - December 17, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I have never had deep fried pickles, but fish and chips sounds really delicious right now.
Melissa - December 17, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Been CRAVING this lately. One of my favorites. I use beer batter when I make mine too, it definitely works best.
Interesting legend. And I’ve actually heard of that movie but haven’t seen it.
Mallika - December 17, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Mmm looks luvverly. I sense it’s Bangers n Mash next! I haven’t seen that movie. Will try and get hold of it!
Laurie - December 17, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Yum! I love fish and chips and now I’m hungry! Thanks for sharing the story, what an interesting tale.
Sam Sotiropoulos - December 17, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Beer-battered fish with Tartar sauce and chips is a pretty regular Friday dinner for us and we just love it! Thanks for the movie suggestion, I have never heard of that film. If I may make a film suggestion in return: Malena (2000) An excellent Italian film!
Judy - December 17, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I am so glad that you liked the beer batter. Fast and flavorful. Cracks me up though that you fried everything in your fridge but then oven baked the fries!!! LOL!
Vikki Williams - December 17, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I was thinking about fish tonight. Yours looks really good. Thanks for the idea about frying the pickles too … recently introduced them to Hubby and he loved them.
Catherine - December 17, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Oh, this brings out the Irish in me!
And I’m dying to see that movie, just haven’t had the time. Those pickles look sumptious! Inspiring menu.
brittany - December 17, 2008 at 5:51 pm
OH MAN! That looks amazing, I love fish and chips, with some nice coarse salt and vinegar…yuuummm….
Johanna - December 17, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I don’t eat fish any more but I still have fond memories of fish and chips on many friday nights as a child! Have never seen the film but would love to – and can I recommend a book that gives great insight into island life in Scotland which is quite similar to Ireland – The Sea Room by Adam Nicholson – there is some discussion of selkies on it as well as how a flourishing island becomes deserted – am sure it was a great movie night with tea on the knee!
Natashya - December 17, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Oh my, I so very much want to be there right now and have homemade fish and chips. Oh, and battered and fried pickles! So crazy it has to be good.
kat - December 17, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I love fish and chips with malt vinegar!!
City Girl - December 17, 2008 at 7:25 pm
yum — that sounds wonderful. DH and I do movie nights as well where we cook something yummy and then eat it while watching the movie. It’s one of our favorite weekend things to do
pam - December 17, 2008 at 7:39 pm
That is some mighty fine looking fish!
patsyk - December 17, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Oh, what a perfect meal for indulging in pub food! Looks like the kind of thing I wouldn’t be able to resist.
Abigail - December 17, 2008 at 11:16 pm
That is such a sweet movie! I love Irish flicks. Have you seen Waking Ned Devine? Classic!
That food looks gorgeous, too!
Bellini Valli - December 18, 2008 at 12:03 am
Next to Greek and Turkish foods pub “grub” is the best:D
nina - December 18, 2008 at 3:55 am
Nothing like beer-battered anything. I made fish and onion rings and both were delicious. I love this idea!!!Interesting beers you had!
Dee - December 18, 2008 at 6:50 am
While I’m embracing my “inner Texan” I still don’t get the fried pickle thing. But give me those fish and chips! And Roan Inish. John Sayles could make a movie about walking a dog (not even my dog) and I’d pay to see it. Jimmie likes his seaweed soup. Dee
Navita - December 18, 2008 at 7:04 am
hmm…fish n chips…my all time fav! love that golden crispiness.
elly - December 18, 2008 at 9:22 am
Mmm, I could never turn down a fried dinner
Everything looks great!
Alex - December 18, 2008 at 10:17 am
Looks fab. And Sam Smiths is some good beer.
Aggie - December 18, 2008 at 10:41 am
Ok, that sounds perfect! The movie, the beer, the FOOD!
Happy Cook - December 18, 2008 at 11:17 am
I love fish and chips, here we eat them with tatrtare mayonaise.
Batter frying pickles is new to me, the thought make me drool for them.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - December 18, 2008 at 12:50 pm
It must be the weather. We’re eating everything fried at my house too – fried fish, fried doughnuts, indian fry bread, etc.
The Leftover Queen - December 18, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Kat – they are awesome!
Melissa – I recommend it, it is awesome!
I love bangers and mash, Mallika!
Judy! I know, it sounds silly, but truly wasn’t planned for health reasons!
Thanks Johanna and Sam for the recommendations, I will have to check them out.
Yes Abigail, I have seen Waking Ned Devine. Love that one too!
Jan - December 18, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I love fish and chips! You did a great job there and that picture is fantastic!
Heather - December 18, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I love the Secret of Roan Inish, and fish and chips. You got enough room in that fryer for some Scotch eggs?
Ivy - December 19, 2008 at 2:38 am
We make bakaliaros with salted cod fillets and beer batter but the amazing thing is that I remembered that I was dreaming of beer battered zucchini blossoms last night.
Navita - December 19, 2008 at 3:20 am
Hey Jenn, I love tht mermaid pic…I saw a statue when I had gone to China(Shenzen)…its beautiful…mermaids fascinate me.:p
Dharm - December 19, 2008 at 6:48 am
Aaahh. Fish and Chips are one of the favourites in this household. There’s just something about beer batter that brings out the flavour. Heck, Beer is good with everything!!
Arlene - December 19, 2008 at 8:10 am
I don’t eat fish, but my SO would have swooned for this AND fried pickles would put him in heaven, for sure. Sounds like a great movie night.
grace - December 19, 2008 at 8:51 am
even a plate of fried food deserves a little elegant garnish.
Taste Memory Girl - December 19, 2008 at 12:36 pm
i loved that movie! what a delightful evening w. the crispy fish + pickles…..that movie is fav of mine ~ has a haunting quality that has been *retold* over the ages in so many cultures, re: the story of sealwoman. there is intense version + analysis in the book ‘women the run with the wolves’
batter looks decadently crispy!
Navita - December 19, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Just wanted to let u know tht u have a small mention on my blog. Post name: “Blueberry And Papaya Syllabub..among other things!”
Paula - December 19, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Wow that fish looks amazing! I’d so eat a plate of it right now!! the batter looks crispy and delish!
Adam - December 19, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Way to embrace your inner New Englander Jenn! Fish and Chips are totally classic, and your batter looks perfect. That’s golden and perfect.
How’s the pickles? I’ve never had them before. But hey, if they can deep fry oreos, why not pickles?
Peter - December 19, 2008 at 5:56 pm
When fish & chips are done right…little can beat it!
Also, I love oatmeal stout and had it first from an American micro-brew from Ohio…good taste!
Helen - December 20, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Yes! fish and chips!! well as I am British how could I ever not love this meal – I adore it. I love the pickles too – I always have to have some tartare saue or some sort of pickles with my fish and chips – YUM!
Snow White - December 20, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Oh now you got me dreaming of fish n chips!! Some of the best had in London…hum maybe I could hop a cheap flight from Italy.
Happy Holidays
Jess - December 21, 2008 at 6:40 pm
drool…fish and chips…wonderful for any night of the week and these look perfect!
Cynthia - December 22, 2008 at 1:04 am
Gosh, that first pic of the fried fish is rather appetizing.
Lisa - December 22, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Fish and Chips is one of my favorites! Still I never make it home. Maybe I will give it a try now. And I absolutely love “The Secret of Roan Innish.” It is such a genuinely sweet tale, but not sickeningly so. It is wonderful entertainment!
Jude - December 23, 2008 at 3:53 am
Uh.. Something about the term cod loins weirds me out. Doesn’t sound right to me.
Jen - December 23, 2008 at 11:43 am
I have an Irish friend that’ll be so pleased and surprised when I recommend this movie to him for our next movie night – thanks! The pickles look soooo good!
terry cicala - September 3, 2010 at 7:35 am
Mama mia! Just bought the movie (Secret of Roan Innish) and loved it. Everything about it is beautiful! Jimmy, don’t run from your sister…(tears).
Yikes…rain today, so it will be another afternoon in Ireland for me. Thanks for your recipes, too!