March 17, 2012 / joyful plate

The joy of Irish Cooking

Beannacht La Fheile Padraig!

Over the years my generous mother in law has given me many beautiful books from Ireland. Yes, Ireland is the country that has produced Joyce and Beckett, but the books she sends me (and knows I will read!) are cook books. Yes, cookbooks. Many people mistake Ireland for a country of simple boiled meat and potato pub food. Nothing could be farther from the truth- especially today, with Ireland’s international profile.

Some of the most lovely food I’ve ever tasted has been when travelling through Ireland. I’ll always remember our breakfast at The Quay House, Clifden, (Connemara), fish stew at Morans Oyster Cottage (County Galway), the galley head prawns at the now closed Chez Youen in Baltimore (now see the Lookout Restaraunt for special fish dishes) and our magical visit (and view) many years ago at The Glebe Gardens, also in Baltimore, County Cork.

So to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, I’d like to share a list cookery books given to me that showcase the culture of cooking in Ireland. First on the list is a cookbook from Avoca, my favorite place to drop by in Dublin or Enniskerry. Avoca is a Irish lifestyle store that was founded in the 1920′s but has connections as far back as 1723 to a County Wicklow town of the same name. Upstairs at Avoca, in a bright airy café set amongst Dublin’s rooftops, they serve one of the best breakfasts in town-where you can indulge in gorgeous pancakes with mixed berries and clotted cream (in case you need a break from the ubiquitous full Irish). Next on the list are cookbooks from Darina Allen-Irish chef, food writer, TV personality (I am still dreaming of visiting Ballymaloe Cookery School …Ireland’s foremost cookery school…an icestorm prevented us from getting there a few holidays back). And last on the list for a bit of fun is a cookbook from Carluccio’s-a great Italian restaraunt and food shop in Dublin. My inlaws know I love to cook Italian and surprised me with this risotto tea towel from Carluccios, Dublin over the holidays. Make sure to visit on your next trip there.

Enjoy!

A year at Avoca photo: Avoca. ie.