The unique Flavour of Irish food

The Taste Of Being Irish
By Paul McCann

Events like St Patrick’s Day remind me of the taste we all have being Irish . I grew up with the Ulster Fry or some would say a full Irish Breakfast which 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.
Traditional Food in Ireland have always been steeped in stews and soups brought on by our cold climate which can dictate much of what Irish people eat . The craic is always a welcome contribution for the Irish who have always been associated with acquiring particular flavours of life .
Buying groceries and cooking food is as much of a ritual for Irish people that connects them with their roots .
It takes hours to buy a loaf of bread due to the social side of the community . We lovely talk and share stories and hear all the gossip going around . Going shopping is a business that involves networking with others , marketing and investing a lot of time researching for new ideas .
Irish love to cook and the downside of that is lots of washing up that has to be done .
This can be challenging for some people who tend to escape the drabness of overspilling sinks and try to escape reality for a while heading out to the local clubs and pubs where they might find some music and dance and the chance to have a side dish of nuts or crisps added to their regular glass of liquid sunshine .
The glow of being out together in the company of Irish people gives a springboard to leap into conversation that once provides social opportunities for many people to venture out and try something different like Curry and chips or Curry and Rice which can be a getaway from the usual focus of mashed potato and cabbage .
Now in the 21st century it’s worth mentioning here that
new innovations have been presented to lure the Irish into becoming more creative about what ends up on their plate .
Generally speaking , tastes have gone back to the roots of where it all began , 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 .
Belfast Bonfires for instance always provided an opportunity for the spud to be wrapped in foil and left in the embers while a social gathering involving residents who would gather for a few drinks and conversation .
As the night went on people would eat the spuds cooked in their jackets over a few more brews and sit around the bonfire telling ghosts stories and sharing jokes .
Spuds in silver foil in the 21st century were transformed into hollowed out sheets filled with white sauce and cheese and diced bacon . The taste of perfection had risen from the ashes and today is being passed around on silver platters in the finest restaurants in the country .
The taste of Irish people have for many years been been focused on our Irish Breads and Scones .
Recipes in Ireland have been handed down from generation to generation and as a result there are products that essentially Irish to be laid out for consumption such as Treacle Farls , White and brown Soda Bread , Potato Bread, Barnbrek .
Modern Ireland has seen a growing inclusion of new restaurants and eating-houses and with that a new generation of chefs have emerged in Ireland making rapid advancement in the Culinary Arts. They brought back an air of confidence in a realm of creativity that has established the taste of the Irish to all the world
with a 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.
If you go to Ireland and pay visit to a home there is always 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 your visit to Ireland .
I’ll leave you now with a poem / song of mine wee drop in your hand .or a Half A Cup of Tea


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 ,
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 .

The End