The Love Of Irish Food

Seasonal events like St Patrick’s Day , Easter , Christmas , weddings and other social occasions provide a platform for recipes to suit the occasion .

The craic is always a welcome contribution also at these events .

The Irish have always been associated with other tasks around cooking their food such as the social side of the business like shopping and preparing of food produce .

This involves markets and the fishing industry .
A lot of washing up also has to be done which can be challenging for some older people .

Local clubs and pubs may offer the chance to have a regular culture of the week dish added to their list adding a springboard that provides social opportunities for their patrons .

When people think of Irish food they immediately focus on the potato .

It’s worth mentioning some of the things that end up on the plate begin in the garden . Carrots and greens and spuds . There’s always been romance and even tragedy associated with this wonderful little delight known as the spud or the praties ..

Belfast Bonfires in Belfast always provided an opportunity for a social gathering with street competitions involving residents . There were events like arm-wrestles , guider or go-cart races . As the night went on people would sit around the bonfire telling ghosts stories and sharing jokes .

Spuds in silver foil were placed at the edge of the bonfire in the ashes and

In minutes they were cooked to perfection and passed around and eaten .

As a compliment to any meal, our Irish Bread and Scone Recipes are also great for breakfast or at teatime. Making bread and scone recipes are a daily routine in Ireland

Treacle Farls , White and brown Soda Bread , Potato Bread, Barnbrek .

Traditional Food in Ireland has always been is your stews and soups .

The cold climate dictates much of what people eat .

Dining in Ireland can be an Epicurean delight. Often the food is fresh in all respects. The seafood can especially wonderful. Naturally raised lamb is used in many recipes from Irish stew to Roast Leg of Lamb. Beef is the traditional Sunday roast, and is still prepared in many homes to this day. Potatoes are still an important part of the Irish diet. Potato in Irish is 'pratai', translated as praties.

Corned Beef & Cabbage is about as truly Irish as Spaghetti Bolognaise or Fried Rice is to other cultures , when it's cooked properly, it is one of the most satisfying and tastiest of dishes. President Grover Cleveland once noticed the smell of Corned beef and Cabbage coming from the servants quarters at the White House.
He asked to trade his dinner for that of the servants. He commented that this was "the best dinner I had had for months..."

In early times Ireland was woodland. The inhabitants relied on the native mammals, birds, fishes and vegetation for subsistence. Eventually the land was cleared and cultivation began. Domestic animals were also introduced and the animals that were raised provided a new source of food. Today Ireland has a vibrant agricultural economy. This is reflected in the fine fare that Ireland has to offer today.

By the 17th Century there was a diversity of culinary traditions along with social status. The peasantry relied mostly on diary products and oats for their nourishment, while the well to do, relied more on meats and alcoholic beverages. By the 18th Century the cuisine of the wealthy became more varied with a greater French influence. As the 19th Century approached, the potato was the main staple of one third of the population.

After the Great Hunger, potatoes and oats were still the main staples of the Irish diet. Toward the end of the century, the first processed foods where introduced. Although the food in Ireland at this time was nourishing, it was mediocre in taste and presentation. Restaurants and eating-houses were on the increase in the cities. However, their menus often shied away from traditional dishes because they were thought as 'famine foods'.

In the latter part of the 20th Century, the food in Ireland became markedly better. A new generation, of chefs emerged in Ireland making rapid advancement in the Culinary Arts. They brought back and air of confidence, a realm of creativity and established themselves in the world their marvellous preparation and presentation of food. Today, the cuisine in Ireland is often fresh, creative, and tastefully presented. Gone are the days of the unimaginative, bland, overcooked meat and potatoes. Fresh seafood, such as, salmon, trout and shellfish, and many others are locally caught and prepared fresh to the table.

In addition there is a bountiful supply of fresh locally produced vegetables and meats.

On my last visit to Ireand I was surprised to find a good variety of international restauraunts in towns and cities . In Belfast I went in to an Italian restaraunt and sat there in a kind of daze with the atmosphere of the experience . I ended up writing a poem to express how I felt .

An Italian Restaurant In Belfast
By Paul McCann

Anyway there I was on my way through town when I walked into this Italian restaurant in the centre of Belfast .
I sat down and began sipping this red wine until I was drunk,
watching people outside in Chichester Street walking past .
You could say just for a moment as I sat there with my fork and plate
at my table for one by the window near the door
I felt like a goldfish out of a bowl,
or like a bowler hat in need of a good head,
or like a stranger on the shore.
Anyway your man the waiter says to me
and it still haunts me let me tell you
"Would you like some quiet Lanza with that ?"
"Sure" I said .
So the next thing I knew I was in a sense of wonder
Lanza was lingering and this was where I was at.
An aroma of romance swept through this wee Italian restaurant in Belfast.
like a rose upon a cold city street
like the soft melody sung from a currah boat in Venice
or like a magic dance on a river that had found its feet,
I was floating away in the middle of the day
and your man the waiter he came back and whispered,
"Would you like the bill?"
"Sure" I said .
I was drunk on love as twilight fell down on Chichester Street,
and I just sat there sipping more red wine until .

I decided to get up on my own two feet and either pay up or make a run for it .

Half of me wanted to run .

But the better half of me paid the bill and I slowly walked out to where the night life of Belfast had only just begun.

A Full Irish Breakfast is very hearty and delicious. It can often sustain you throughout the day. This meal generally consists of eggs, rashers (bacon), bangers (sausage), baked fresh tomatoes, fresh mushrooms, white pudding, black pudding, fresh fruit, brown bread, or toast, or scones, with a bit of butter and marmalade. Add some juice, a pot of tea or freshly brewed coffee with cream and a bit of brown sugar and you truly have a meal. In Northern Ireland, the fully cooked breakfast is called an 'Ulster Fry' and includes the addition of a fried potato farl. Did you know bacon and eggs are of Irish origin?

Soups and sandwiches are a favourite for lunch. Many of the soups are a puree of sorts or a broth, served piping hot, and delicious. Broths were used in early times in Ireland, some included oatmeal and vegetables. Along the coastal areas seaweeds were included. Many hotels and restaurants offer a Car very Lunch. This is a hot meal, served cafeteria style, usually including hot potatoes, vegetables, a couple of choices of meats with gravy, a selection of breads, and deserts.

The mid day meal in rural Ireland is generally the largest meal of the day. People living and working in the cities, follow a 9 to 5 routine, making dinner the more substantive meal.

The hospitality of the Irish is unsurpassed. This custom goes back to ancient times the Breton Laws declared you must share hospitality with the bard or stranger who knocks on your door. If you did not, you were shamed and could be punished. The custom is still prevalent in Irish society today. Often times when visiting with family or soon to be friends, you are treated to 'a taste of Ireland' with a slice of homemade Brown Bread or Soda Bread. There are a multitude of recipes for both breads, which are relatively easy to make.

There is nothing quite like enjoying a slice of hot baked bread with creamy butter and a dollop of marmalade, washed down with a delicious cup of piping hot tea .

There is something about a cup of tea that is both invigorating and wholesome . I Its like one of lifes little comforts . Inspired by that made me write little song called a half a cup of tea . The title of the song gives consideration and respect to a number of things .

If you go to Ireland and pay visit to a home there is al;ways a pot of tea on the hob and then first thing you'll be handed as you walk in the door will be a cup of tea . If you refuse the weee drop in your hand you'll offend the people who live there and they will spread the word around about you and before you know it everyone will be saying ,

"Oh there goes so and so , they wouldn't even have a cup of tea the other day "

Befoe you know it , you're regarded as anti-social . So I'd strongly advise you to take the cup of tea .

Now for those like myself who have a very busy life style and can't sit all day talking over cups of tea the polite response would be ,

"I'll have a half a cup of tea "

By saying that you'll not offend the people in the house and no one wi;; talk about to you on you visit to Ireland .

A Half A Cup of Tea

A song by Paul McCann

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCXJjUcbw6Y

When I’ve taken all I can and I still can’t get it right it never does me any good to fight cause I never cared for fighting ,it never cared for me but I’d kill for a half a cup of tea .

It’s just a wee drop in the hand I hope you understand there’s nothing beats a decent cup of tea , mmm it doesn’t take too long I’ll take it weak or strong , a wee drop in the hands good enough for me .

Half a cup or a drop in your hand the wetter the better the brew they say so if I drop in not wearing a grin come on and give me a wee drop of tea .

I love my mothers garden but it really makes me boil to find her only kettle’s filled up with soil , I would lick a lions whiskers , I’d suck a honey bee I’d kill for a half a cup of tea .

My Mother loves this little song and often askes me to sing it for her .

Another wonderful taste and part of the Irish culture is the Ulster Fry .

I wrote a short poem about this very popular food that is ate every day , sometimes for breakfast , lunch and dinner in Northern Ireland .

An Ulster Fry

By Paul McCann

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3AbltMem8

To taste and sample the food and culture of any country is something that will linger with you long aftert the visit has ended .

I do hope one day you get to experience some Irish food and with that its culture and people .

The End

By Paul McCann