The other night for my birthday, Anne, Michael and the boys gave me a wonderful book titled: "The Irish Kitchen". This is not only a great cook book of authentic Irish foods, but a wonderful narrative of how the Irish choose, catch or raise the food that they use in their traditional dishes.
As I've been reading through this book, I've been thinking of the menu I will be putting together for a St. Patrick's day dinner. This has been a great present for me because of the appreciation we have for Irish cuisine and my general love of cooking.
As I look through the book and think back to the food that we were served, mostly in the pubs, it is clear that the Irish have a love for simple, hardy, basic food that is well prepared using mostly natural or organic sources.
Being an island country, the Irish diet is heavily influenced by the sea and the rivers that flow into the sea. Since I love to eat just about anything that swims or lives in the water, this is a diet that is made for me. Luckily, the Milwaukee area has a couple of seafood outlets that make it possible to obtain fresh seafood even though we live in the center of the country.
One aspect of Irish cooking that I have never done much with, is Lamb or Mutton even though I enjoy the taste of Lamb. Certainly, the American diet does not incorporate as much Lamb as does the Irish diet. In addition, the rest of the family does not particularly enjoy Lamb.
As we get closer to St. Patrick's day, I will share with you what we have chosen for the menu. The only thing I know for sure is that it will include Dona's soda bread!
As I've been reading through this book, I've been thinking of the menu I will be putting together for a St. Patrick's day dinner. This has been a great present for me because of the appreciation we have for Irish cuisine and my general love of cooking.
As I look through the book and think back to the food that we were served, mostly in the pubs, it is clear that the Irish have a love for simple, hardy, basic food that is well prepared using mostly natural or organic sources.
Being an island country, the Irish diet is heavily influenced by the sea and the rivers that flow into the sea. Since I love to eat just about anything that swims or lives in the water, this is a diet that is made for me. Luckily, the Milwaukee area has a couple of seafood outlets that make it possible to obtain fresh seafood even though we live in the center of the country.
One aspect of Irish cooking that I have never done much with, is Lamb or Mutton even though I enjoy the taste of Lamb. Certainly, the American diet does not incorporate as much Lamb as does the Irish diet. In addition, the rest of the family does not particularly enjoy Lamb.
As we get closer to St. Patrick's day, I will share with you what we have chosen for the menu. The only thing I know for sure is that it will include Dona's soda bread!
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