Great British Dishes Part 4. The Parmo.

[purplepoppy]

This is number three of a series on great British dishes. This week we examine the Parmo.

A parmo

WHAT IS IT?

A flattened chicken breast deep fried in bread crumbs covered in bechamel sauce and cheddar cheese then grilled until melted. Most popular in the town of Middlesbrough in Northeast England. Other versions include ingredients such as chilli or pepperoni

A takeaway menu

I've no idea what creamy cabbage is either but an explosive parmo sounds scary

Patmos ready to be grilled

MEANING OF NAME

Short for Chicken parmigiana or Chicken parmesan. The Parmo is easier to say when you're drunk and to spell on menus.

Parmo and chips

HISTORY

Greek American navy cook Nicos Harris was injured during the second world war and sent to Middlesbrough for treatment. Despite the place being a complete shithole he stayed and opened The American Grill, on Linthorpe Road in 1958. While there he took the American Chicken parmigiana and tweaked the recipe into the Parmo which quickly established itself as the town's signature dish.

This version comes combined with the other great British invention, the doner kebab

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND POPULARITY

The Parmo is hugely popular in Middlesbrough both as a takeaway meal and a restaurant one.

This posh one comes with a healthy salad

In fact, they're so popular that Middlesbrough Council ran a £100k campaign to market the city complete with banners saying: ‘We are parmo and chips.’ Unsurprisingly this came under some criticism.

Oh dear, best take it down

The town has even attempted to get the Parmo "Protected designation of origin status (PTO)" But came under fierce criticism from dieticians and the medical profession thanks to the fact Parmos are usually in excess of 2000 calories.

It's best to jog in between parmos

If I eat this will you vote for me?

Middlesbrough, Northeast England

Despite criticism of the dish it remains hugely popular in Middlesbrough with numerous Facebook and Twitter groups dedicated to swapping reviews of local takeaways.

In Middlesbrough, parmo pics are more popular than dick pics

Middlesbrough has been dubbed the pizza and Parmo capital of the world. An area where many high streets have little to offer except rows of Parmo takeaways and prostitutes.

Outside Middlesbrough, the Parmo never really caught on despite attempts by some traders to introduce them.

GOOD V BAD DISHES

Parmo ready meals

Many health professionals and professional chefs would say there are no good Parmos but it seems clear some definitely look more edible than others. I think the ones with chillis or pepperoni in them look more tempting

This one didn't quite impress

Neither did this one

At least its big

POPPY'S OPINION

Had the Parmo originated in London or Paris it would be held up as an example of fine dining. However, being linked to Middlesbrough has forever tarnished its reputation. TripAdvisor's list of the best things to visit in Middlesbrough has a field outside of the town as number one and it regularly features in "worst place to live" polls.

Bet you thought I was joking about the field

It's easy to see the Parmo as the victim of the UK's North/south divide but it doesn't quite explain why it never caught on in other northern towns either.

I confess I've never had a takeaway Parmo but I was cooked one by a guy from the area once. I found it to be a waste of good cheese and not particularly exciting although I could see the potential in the hands of a more skilled cook.

A turkey parmo. Christmas dinner in Middlesbrough

Next week, deep fried mars bars.

[Lliam]

This is really interesting, Poppy. And you really put some work into the photos and details. Nice!

I never heard of a Parmo. A few of the photos looked really good. I have to admit that it sounds kind of bland, but the dish definitely has possibilities.

I'm confused about the cheese, though. The dish is called Parmo (short for Parmesan), and is based on chicken Parmesan, but the descriptions only mention cheddar cheese. Does it contain any Parmesan?

I agree that the dish might be more well known and popular if it had originated in France or Italy. LOL

[purplepoppy]

No I think its because the original American version comes from parma, Italy.

[bean2k21]

The man who raised me was Greek American, so I can't help having a certain fondness for this story. But you people do understand, he basically just took chicken Parmesan and gave it a catchy name, right?

[Perverted_Creep]

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[PBandJ_Nerd]

It looks good. I've never had a chicken breast that cheesy before. But if I'm at Texas Roadhouse, if I'm in the mood, I'll get this one chicken breast that has white cheese with sauteed mushrooms on top.

[CarolineW]

Lived in the UK all my life and never heard of a parmo. Ah, you said Middlesborough. They're weird there, eat all sorts of crap that no one in the south would go near.

[SphynxUK]

As a British person, I have never seen nor heard of this dish before!

[SnowedIn]

Poppy why does the BBC not give you your own show? Or at least a session on Graham Nortong?

[jamesgoldman]

Never had one but would probably try it if in the area... probably heading to the lake District to walk it off

[DerkR]

This actually looks extremely good, you've got me starving now lol

[Reece12345]

Omg all I can see is the cheese!

[Charliefretz329]

Looks delicious