Name: Salt and Pepper Chips
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: British Chinese
Ingredients: 200g frozen oven chips (see note 1); 2 tsp olive oil; 1 large green chilli (mild), sliced (see note 2); 1 large red chilli (mild), sliced; 1 tsp chinese five-spice (see note 3); 1 spring onion, sliced; large pinch salt; large pinch pepper; 1 tbsp rice vinegar

Question 1

What are they?

Accepted Answer

Salt and pepper chips originate from the UK. Specifically Liverpool. It has its roots in the more classic salt and pepper ribs and wings which are a staple of the British Chinese takeaway. The popularity of the flavours spread to the arrival of salt and pepper chips in the 1990s and has soon spread across the UK. 

If you’ve never tried salt and pepper chips, then you are missing out. They are a combination of thick chips, pepper, chilli, Chinese five-spice and, of course, salt and pepper. They are the perfect way to jazz up plain old chips and are literally bursting with flavour.

If you love the salt and pepper flavour then check out these Salt and Pepper Prawns or this salt and pepper chicken. Or if you want more 'jazzed up' chips try these sweet potato dirty fries.

Question 2

Are they spicy?

Accepted Answer

These chips are served up with a little spice. However, if you make them at home, you have the added benefit of being able to control exactly how hot or mild you want them. 

You can either reduce the amount of chilli you use, or you could swap the chilli for a mild variety (larger chillies are typically milder than small ones) or you could even substitute for bell pepper/capsicum.

If you want a little heat but don’t want the hassle of cutting up chillies, then you can also use chilli flakes instead.

Question 3

What kind of chips should I use?

Accepted Answer

As these are traditionally the realm of Chinese takeaways and British Chinese chippies then the best way to go is chip shop style chips. Thick, juicy and soft. However, if you prefer French fries or even another option like sweet potato chips then this will absolutely work well with any variety.

Question 4

What can I serve them with?

Accepted Answer

You can serve these up as a snack, or with any of the usual subjects that you would normally serve up with a side of chips. They are pretty flavoursome so it's a good idea to partner them with something that has either complementary flavours or is fairly bland. A few great meals to consider adding these with include:

•	Minted lamb burgers
•	Steak
•	Sweet chilli salmon
•	Hunter's chicken
•	Easy salmon burgers

As with any chips, a pot of something for dunking is compulsory. You can reach for a standard choice such as mayo, ketchup or BBQ sauce. Or you could go for something to add even more of a kick such as sriracha sauce, peri-peri, or sweet chilli if you want something milder.

Question 5

Do I need to use Chinese five-spice?

Accepted Answer

If you are buying five-spice especially for this recipe then don’t worry – you will find it useful for a whole host of dishes. Use it as a spice rub on pork or chicken, add it into a batter or make these delicious hoisin duck wraps or healthy salmon tacos.

If you can't find five-spice then you can use a combination of the flavours it includes. It is a mixture of star anise, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorn, cloves and fennel seed. Garam masala is also a great substitute, particularly if you mix some garam masala with ground star anise to match the unique aniseed flavour.

Salt and Pepper Chips

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition