I’ve got to hand it Sally. She always gets me unexpected and well thought-out Christmas presents. This year it was two bottles of Crown Lager and a pot of Chicken Salt. All I got her was the unauthorized biography of Shane Warne and a dressing gown from Marks and Sparks!
It was the Chicken Salt I was most excited about. Those of you who weren’t lucky enough to grow up in Oz have probably never tasted the stuff. But a serving of hot chips liberally sprinkled with chicken salt is one of life’s great pleasures. Especially if you’ve had to walk home first and they’ve been steamed a bit. Hmmm, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
According to the blurb on the back of the pot, Australians first started using chicken salt to season BBQ and roast chickens in the seventies. Some innovative soul sprinkled some on his chips and the rest, as they say, is history. To quote the good folk at Mitani, the producers of my particular pot of CS, ‘the use of Chicken Salt on chips has become so popular it is an Australian institution.’
As with all things, there are some fast food outlets that are more adept at applying chicken salt than others. For mine, you can’t go past Clem’s Chicken on the corner of Brown and King in Newtown. Order a quarter of chicken and chips from there and you’ll see what I mean. The portions are generous and the way the chips are put on top of the chicken in a box ensures that the flavours are properly infused by the time you get home. If you can, get Clem himself to serve you. He’s got a scary looking growth on the side of his nose but what this man doesn’t know about shaking out chicken salt isn’t worth knowing.
Anyway, better go. I’m off to my local chippy, pot of Chicken Salt in hand, to see if I can recreate the same experience here in Blighty.
I don’t hold out much hope though. I don’t have the same deft touch as Clem. And the girl who serves there is bereft of any blemishes.
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Chips should have Curry Sauce or Gravy…hmmm…..
Although I would like to try this Chicken Salt lark. Maybe the shop in Covent Garden has some….
Chicken salt is superb!! You’ve gotta love it. I couldn’t get enough of it when I was living in OZ. Chips just aren’t the same without it.
What a present.
Schwartz (the herbs and spices company) do something very similar – years ago it used to be called “Seasoning Salt” but is now called “Chicken Seasoning”. Goes great on chips (and potatoes in general) as well as golden brown, crispy chicken skin!
http://www.schwartz.co.uk/productdetail.cfm?ID=5193
Peter, where did Sally get it?? I’ve missed chicken salt since moving to this sceptred isle.
Mark – I think she got it from the Aussie shop Mick mentions above. It’s in Covent Garden but I’m not sure of the address. I always get lost going there. It’s near the Walkabout Bar. Thinking about it, that’s probably why I always get lost.
Mick – If you want a real treat you should try Chicken Salt AND gravy. Once again, I highly recommend Clem’s for this. Order the roast dinner – quarter chicken, peas, chips, gravy, served in an foil container.
Moily – I shall try and track down some Schwartz product and do a taste test. Kind of like the Pepsi challenge but with seasoning salts.
The shop is in Maiden Lane in Covent Garden – they sell Aussie, Kiwi and Canadian paraphernalia (is that spelt right?).
Basically, walk through Covent Garden market as if you are heading towards Strand, the road is on the right with the North Face shop on the corner – it’s in the same street as the Maple Leaf ‘Canadian’ pub.
Happy hunting. And eating!
Apologies – just checked my cupboard at home and it’s the “Season-All” seasoning I’m thinking of!
http://www.schwartz.co.uk/productdetail.cfm?id=5194
(Mind you, the Chicken one is probably closer to Chicken Salt). You can get them in most supermarkets, either way.
Oh, and the Aussie shop *is* opposite the Walkabout at Covent Garden – on Henrietta Street:
The Australia Shop
27, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7JS
Tel: 020 7836 2292
Don’t forget the Tim Tams and Cherry Ripes!
Whoops! I meant Maiden Lane, of course. Now where’s my proof-reader?!
Moily,
I must admit that I love chocolate Tim Tams – they are the best! Nearly as good as our English Penguins!
Ah yes, I know the Aussie shop – spent too much money on their over-priced goodies. Damn my home sickness!
Well, since I was walking down King Street this morning, I figured a picture of Clem’s might make things easier to find:
http://www.rumble.net/stuff/Clems.jpg
Oh yeah, and before you go spending money at the Australia Shop in Covent Garden, be aware they’re Liberal Party fanatics. The owners organize the campaigns for them at Australia House…
G’day Peter, Had to put my two cents worth in now you are talking chicken salt & the Ashes coming home! The weather may be our biggest enemy in terms of a 5-Nil ashes campaign my friend. As I sit here looking out thru my balcony doors on the morning of day one, I could be in England… A steady drizzle is falling and looking south there doeasn’t appear to be any breaks in the clouds
As to the chicken, salt, a mob called Windsor Farms do a very nice one as well and you can find them here: http://www.windsorfarm.com.au. All the best to you & the family for the new year Peter & hope to be reading Crikey soon! P.S. Crown Lager Peter?? What has England done to your taste buds mate??
Mmmm’
i loove chicken salt..
its so mouth watering..
Omg poor jesse hasnt everr had it.. like Omg
I emigrated to W.A when i was 13, did my schooling out there and indeed tried Chicken chippy salt. I’ve been back in the UK now for 4 years (after 7 in Oz) and still think about the stuff now…. why hasnt it caught on?, I just dont bloody well understand it!!!.
I went over there for three months and became addicted to peppermint crisps. As for the Aussie shop, the prices are crazy high! £1.50 for a peppermint crisp, i like em, i dont NEED em!