It’s St Patrick’s Day, let’s talk about Irish food

Traditionally a land of home cooking, Ireland now has both a vibrant international food culture, and a rekindled interest in classical Irish dishes. Being an island nation like Britain, Ireland shares many connections with the UK’s traditional foods and it has had similar influences – for example, the Celts, the Vikings, and foods introduced from new parts of the world over many centuries. The obvious introduction is the potato but Ireland’s pastures, hillsides and coastal regions provide a plentiful supply of delicious ingredients, both land farmed and fished.

An emphasis on provenance

Home and family have always played a huge part in Irish cuisine with the kitchen seen as the heart of the home. In fact David often talks about this s his earliest memory of growing up, his mother, grandmother and aunts all gathered around the large kitchen table baking for the week. Rustic hearty stews and potato dishes used to be a staple of many Irish families but today, like most European countries, Ireland has a thriving modern food culture.

One of the restaurants Lin loves and always visits when she goes home is Avoca. Avoca believe in using great natural ingredients – some they even grow ourselves; prepared from scratch; with a little bit of adventure; and always offering value. They are a great Irish food success story.

Avoca is proof of another trend you’re likely to find in Ireland today which is a sense of getting back to basics and good food provenance. Niche local producers, whether cheese makers, bakers or speciality sausage butchers, are on the rise and even though foods served in restaurants may be very international in flavour, the focus is on buying as many of the ingredients locally as possible.

Classic Irish dishes

There is a huge variety of Irish dishes – some very similar to British dishes and some unique. Here are a few to consider trying:

• Irish Stew – a hearty stew of lamb, potatoes and root vegetables
• Clonakilty Black Pudding, Mushroom and Potato Casserole
• Bacon and Cabbage – or Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Cod or Salmon Cobbler
• Barmbrack – a classic fruit cake served sliced and buttered
• Champ – mashed potatooes with scallions
• Colcannon – mashed potatoes with shredded kale or cabbage
• Beef & Guinness Stew or Pie
• Soda Bread
• Dublin Coddle – a bacon, sausage and potato casserole
• Boxty – pan-fried potato cakes, similar to Swiss Rosti
• Lamb Shanks in Irish Stout
• Fadge – Irish Potato Bread
• Irish Autumn Pudding – an autumn fruits version of the classic summer pudding
• Shepherds Pie
• Dubliner Cheese Tart – similar to a quiche lorraine
• Fishcakes – salmon, cod, crab, haddock, …

For more recipe ideas and places to visit, check out:

http://www.avoca.ie/home/explore/our-company/food/

www.bordbia.ie

www.winding-stair.com

www.irishabroad.com/culture/kitchen/recipes.asp

www.nevenmaguire.com