In honour of the second International Mushy Peas Day, we visited a restaurant well-known for having one of the best fish and chips in London. After all fish chips and mushy peas are a classic British dish. It seems like something you either love or hate, like Marmite. My son loves mushy peas, my husband hates them. I think they just taste like a solid form of split pea soup. You can have traditional mushy peas or use them to jazz up other dishes like a burger or risotto.
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Mushy Peas
So just when you thought they couldn’t come up with any more gratuitous holidays, November 9th is now the International Mushy Pea Day. I’m OK with celebrating food though (even the humble pea).
Fish and chips mushy peas – a classic British dish
What is Mushy Peas?
First things, first. What is mushy peas? Mushy peas really are just that – a glob of cooked peas seasoned in salt and sugar mushed together.
Mushy peas are a classic side dish in the North of England. They’ve earned their nickname of being Yorkshire’s caviar by accompanying many a fish and chips or pie meal. It’s the obligatory green vegetable bit that makes you feel better about all the fat and salt in the rest of the meal.
fish chips and mushy peas is a dish that you will find all over Britain
How To Make Mushy Peas
Do you know there are even mushy pea recipes that make mushy peas curry? The British have embraced and adapted Indian food totally. I like this simple easy-to-make mushy pea recipe for mushy pea curry that shows off the best of British Asian fusion food.
Making a mushy pea curry involves more than just adding curry sauce
A traditional mushy pea recipe calls for dried marrowfat peas to be soaked in baking soda overnight and then simmered in salt and sugar until they form a green mush. Appetising (to some). Here is the basic traditional recipe for mushy peas.
If you want to go non-traditional, you can use mushy peas to make burgers, risottos and tarts. I’ve always loved risotto with peas so I am partial to this mushy pea recipe that adds a pea puree to risotto.
a mushy peas recipe for mushy peas risotto
Why have avocado toast when you can have peas on toast? Here’s a cool variation on the ubiquitous millennial dish. Can you blame Peter Mandelson for (allegedly) mixing up avocados and mushy peas?
mushy peas on toast is a less fattening version of the popular avocado toast
Are Mushy Peas Good For You?
Well, it’s not bad. There are about 87 calories per 100 grams. It’s also low in fat but provides proteins and carbohydrates. Other essential nutrients include iron, zinc, potassium and fibre.
There are not many calories in mushy peas but lots of essential nutrients
Go on. Have some mushy peas. Maybe they will be your new avocado substitute.
Best Fish and Chips in London
If you want to try a classic British dish, then fish chips and mushy peas are the way to go. They are many options for fish and chips in London at many price points. Here are out three favourite options, including the obligatory cheap and greasy joint.
I am not big on deep fried food and/or anything wrapped in newspaper. My pores break out just thinking about it. So you know, the fish and chips have to be good to get a pass from me!
Seashell of Lisson Grove
Our vote for the best fish and chips in London goes to the Seashell of Lisson Grove located in Marylebone. It’s been around for 50+ years (e.g, supposedly Princess Di would send her driver to Seashell Lisson grovefor takeaway back in the day). There’s a take away and casual dining place on the corner of Lisson Grove as well as a fancier restaurant next door.
The Seashell of Lisson Grove menu has an extensive choice of fish.
More Good Options For Fish and Chips in London
My friend went on a quest to find the most ‘authentic’ and best fish and chips in London. His methodology was simple. He asked every cab driver he met. The most recommended was The Fryer’s Delight (19 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SL) near Holborn. He loved it – basic, delicious and cheap. Personally, I thought it was too greasy.
Another good option for a retro-cool ambience is Poppies Fish and Chips London which has outposts in three locations now. In addition to the original location in uber-cool Shoreditch, it’s also got outposts now if you are craving fish and chips in Camden and Soho. The owner has been serving fish and chips for decades in the East End before gentrification pounced upon this working class neighbourhood. Anyway, we didn’t choose the fish and chips in Camden because they didn’t serve mushy peas.
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How to make mushy peas, both as a traditional side dish and as a fresh take on old favourites
Where to go for the best fish & chips in London
In honour of the second International Mushy Peas Day, we visited a restaurant well-known
for having one of the best fish and chips in London. Mushy peas go well with fish and chips;
you can have traditional mushy peas or use them to jazz up other dishes like a burger or
risotto. Check out these mushy peas recipes & ideas.
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