Kippered

Back in December, I had been told about heat-in-the tin kippers from John West and had bought three of the tins - at around £2 a pop. A few days ago, we finally got around to trying them, my not having found the idea very attractive.

It so happens that BH takes quite a lot of fish from tins, but I do not. Other, that is, than the sardines, tuna or salmon which we both do. With the first two being mashed up in salad cream (not mayonnaise). Tinned crab remains elusive. I have a special aversion to the tinned pilchards in tomato sauce which the naval aunt used to serve up from time to time, served up more or less entire on thickly margarine'd white factory bread. Ughh.

On this occasion, BH was in the chair and elected to heat the tins up by pouring boiling water over the them and then leaving them to stand for ten minutes or so. After which they were warm enough, but not really hot. I think that next time, if there is a next time, we will go for simmering for ten minutes, as per the instructions on the tin.

The tins opened, each was found to contain four or five very small fillets in a good quantity of sunflower oil. I thought that they were indeed rather unattractive looking.

However, I persisted, taking mine on lightly toasted brown bread. BH took hers in a small salad with white orgo toast on the side. I might say that they tasted a good deal better than they looked - and they look well enough in the snap above. Very mild, and I ate the lot, skin, brown flesh and all, which I do not do with real kippers. A whole tin each made for a substantial but manageable snack. Described as 145g - about 5 ounces - which I take to exclude the oil. I think it would be fair to say that BH was keener than I was.

We shall see how long it takes to get around to the third tin and whether I am moved to buy any more. 

We have already had some real kippers since: much better, even if they are a lot more bother and involve a lot more washing up. Much better value too at around a fiver for three of them.

PS: the brown flesh having been the lateral lines of the fish in life, a sort of devolved part of the brain which tells the fish what is going on in the water around and for which see reference 4. Presumably made of much the same stuff as brains - which I do not think I have ever eaten. It might be a delicacy over the water in Belgium, but not here in Epsom. Would Ben the Butcher be able to sell me any?

References

Reference 1: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2024/12/no-score.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-tale-of-two-taverns.html.

Reference 3: https://www.john-west.co.uk/products/fish-type/kippers/.

Reference 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_line.