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<\/p>\nA chicken parmo is a major part of the food culture of the North East of the UK. Said to be originated from Teesside, this iconic dish can be found all over the region.<\/b><\/p>\n
Deep-fried and breaded chicken breast coated in a luscious bechamel sauce and melted with loads of cheese – that's a recipe for a fantastic dinner… and probably a heart attack if you have too many.<\/b><\/p>\n
While the dish is popular in the North-East, many in the South haven't tried a chicken parmo. <\/b><\/p>\n
Among them is Danielle Elton from our sister site 2Chill, as she rates her experience of trying out the dish for the first time. <\/b><\/p>\n
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"The North East is home to some local specialities that you\u2019ll probably only find on the menu when in that neck of the woods – pease pudding, panaculty, stottie cakes.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the parmo – a chicken dish that is said to originate from Teesside.<\/p>\n
Being from Essex, I wasn\u2019t familiar with the dish, until taking a trip up north to Sunderland.<\/p>\n
So what is this parmo that northerners rate so highly?<\/p>\n
Having eaten in many Italian restaurants, I\u2019m familiar with chicken parmigiana – breaded chicken with a tomato-based sauce topped with cheese. It\u2019s a dish I\u2019d often order.<\/p>\n
So with a name very similar, I assumed it would be the same. And in a way they are, except they taste very different, and that\u2019s all thanks to the sauce.<\/p>\n
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A parmo is breaded chicken topped with bechamel sauce and loaded with cheese. Although a Middlesborough speciality, it is actually enjoyed all over the North East.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s on the menu at many restaurants, sold at all good takeaways, and there\u2019s even a company that delivers them in the post.<\/p>\n
And while a kebab might be the food of choice for many after going out for drinks, in Sunderland it\u2019s the parmo.<\/p>\n
So after enjoying a few cocktails with my sister at my favourite bar in the city, The Dead Rabbit, I decided to try a parmo, for the very first time.<\/p>\n
What surprised me at first was the size of it. Usually accompanied by chips, it\u2019s definitely a two-person job, so we shared. And it was only about \u00a38. Bargain!<\/p>\n
We opted for the classic, although there were many varieties – pepperoni, mushroom, Hawaian, BBQ and even bolognese. I think the only difference is the sauce, and some with extra toppings.<\/p>\n
And after giving this northern speciality a try for myself, I have to say that it\u2019s pretty good. I definitely understand why it\u2019s so popular. It\u2019s indulgent, oozy, cheesy – what\u2019s not to love about that?<\/p>\n
I\u2019m almost disappointed that I can\u2019t order them back home in Essex. I definitely would. Although that\u2019s probably for the best. I bet they\u2019re calorific!<\/p>\n