We offer guests the option of joining us for dinner when they come stay. If they decide to take up this offer I ask about food likes and dislikes.
The most usual answer to that question would be that they don’t eat ‘offal’. Now we do, but I don’t think I would ever randomly serve it up to guests.
Then there are the people who don’t eat fish. Those who only eat ‘white’ meat …. pork seemingly comes under that classification!!! (What kind of pork are they used to???)
We’ve had some interesting challenges in the food department. There’s been the nut, dairy and egg free challenge. The latest was dairy, sugar, salt and red meat free diet… that was somewhat of a challenge but we managed it.
More and more people are saying that they’d like something ‘traditional’. Now here’s a question for you…
- If you are Irish what do you classify as a ‘traditional’ Irish dinner?
- If you are not Irish, but travelling to Ireland, what would your expectation of a traditional Irish dinner be?
I think it is fair to say that Alfie and I really don’t do much that is ‘traditional’ Irish food. We have on occasion done ham (usually finished on the bbq!) with the potatoes and vegetables. I’ve also done stuffed pork steak with vegetables as a ‘traditional’ option.
As Irish as it gets here
Summertime traditional? I don’t know. My childhood memories would be of salad plates with lettuce, ham, tomato and probably a hard-boiled egg.
Give us your answers….
A Year In Redwood 
Colcannon, champ with your tasty sausages and gravy. Crubeens (that’ll teach ’em). Roast leg of lamb, Irish stew….Anything salmon.
You could give some contemporary twists to the traditional fayre in the way you serve or even change some ingredients here and there.
I live in Ireland, but I am from continental Europe originally.
Oh Patricia,
I love your suggestions! I can’t do crubeens … although have used them as a ‘stock’ for beans.
Margaret
A few years ago, a U.S. pork producers organization developed a TV advertising campaign to increase pork consumption. The tag line was “Pork, the other white meat.” It ran for several years on TV and Radio. Many people here now consider pork “white” meat now.
I guess I don’t know what I would consider a “traditional” Irish dinner. Potatoes and stewed beef or pork?
Next time we visit, we will encourage you to “think outside the box”, especially with fish and seafood.
Mike
Thanks Mike and Mary,
I do a pretty mean Guinness Pie…. that could be on the menu for your next visit.
Margaret
I don’t do crubeens either, Margaret and use them indeed for a gelatinous stock. Have you ever tried to make brawn ? I do it with the heads of our pigs and it is delicious. Can be sliced and served as a starter with some salad greens and mustard dressing.
Just think farmhouse cooking and you won’t go far wrong. 🙂
Boiled bacon and cabbage, mash and parsley sauce.
Crubeens (If you could get a decent trotter).
Poached salmon.
Mackerel and gooseberries (in season now!)
Potato cakes cooked on top of the Rayburn cooker.
That’s my lot.
Great suggestions Conor…. we are doing bbq salmon tonight with delicious new potatoes! And, yes, I often do potato cakes as a breakfast option.
Margaret
What are crubeens?
Pigs feet/trotters…. not very nice!
As an American, “The” traditional meal for St. Patrick’s day is corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes. I wonder… is that very traditional Irish though?? It is a favorite meal either way! Oh and soda bread. This to us, is traditional Irish food. I know it is a bit late, but if this response does pop up in your radar, I would be very interested in your thoughts on this! 🙂 Best, Lynne
Hi Lynne,
Thank you for your response, and Happy New Year!
I cannot remember when I last had corned beef… I’d say 40 years ago, when still living at home! It was something my Mum would have cooked, I don’t think I’ve ever cooked it myself. Cabbage, carrots and potatoes are still popular here. I weirdly love cabbage with beef.
Margaret
Hi Margaret, thank you for the reply! How interesting! I imagine food tastes change a bit too thru the years. Happy New Year to you and yours. (we just had cabbage with ground beef and rice for dinner actually and it is rather good, although that particular recipe comes from the Polish side of my family!) Best, Lynne