By Brenda Hyde

I started out this feature asking my dad what he remembered about the meals in Ireland when he was there in the 1950's. He didn't have a lot of time there since he was on leave from the Army but he did remember this:

"What I recall having for breakfast at my Aunt Lily's was fried eggs, (the yoke was hard), scones and tea. Uncle Fred and Aunt Lily took me out to lunch and I ordered liver and onions, the other choice was tripe, they were the specials that day."

After talking with him I did more research and looked through many recipes. The ones I chose are traditional farm recipes. If you visit Ireland now you will find a wide variety of dishes to rival those any where in the world-especially the fresh seafood dishes. However, I thought the frugal recipes from long ago when Irish homemakers used what was available to them were so much more interesting.

You will find mostly ingredients such as pork, potatoes, cabbage and herbs. Cows were used primarily for milk, and pigs were raised for food. Pork can be smoked, salted and brined-every part of the pig was used.Some farms raised sheep, and so you'll also see mutton used in Irish cooking as well. Dairy products are used a lot too, again because it was available to families. Buttermilk was used in recipes and for a beverage. Seafood was used when it was readily available to those that fished or could buy it inexpensively. Smoked fish and good aged cheese served on a nice brown bread was a nice treat to start meals.

When bacon is used as an ingredient in Irish recipes it could be any cut of salted pork. American bacon, which is thin and cooks crispy, is not really a good substitute. Look for salted pork or a piece of slab bacon. They should be fairly easy to find in the meat department near the bacon and ham hocks. A side note-if you ever see "thin streaky bacon" in an Irish recipe that refers to American bacon.

Soups

Potato and Leek Soup

2 medium leeks, cleaned and chopped 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup mashed potatoes 1-1/2-2 pints chicken stock salt and pepper 4 tablespoons cream 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Sauté the leeks and onion on low heat in the butter until soft. Mix the potatoes with the chicken stock; the less stock you use the thicker the soup. Add the leeks and onion, season to taste and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Pour into individual bowls and garnish each with a tablespoon of cream and chopped parsley before serving.

VEGETABLE DISHES

This recipe is made on Samhain (Halloween) or the beginning of the Celtic New Year.

Boxty

Ingredients:
1 lb. potatoes, grated
3-3/4 cups flour
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup mashed potatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Soak grated potatoes overnight in cool water to remove the starch. Mix all ingredients together EXCEPT the flour-mix that in a little at a time with a wooden spoon or your hands. Add extra milk if it seems too stiff. Lightly grease a skillet or griddle. Drop the mixture onto the skillet by rounded teaspoon. Brown the bottom slightly, then flatten the tops a little bit with a spatula. Depending on what you prefer they can be thinner and crispy or thick. Cook until golden brown. Served with butter. Notes: Herbs can be added.

Champ

This is much like Colcannon without cabbage.

Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled
small bunch of scallions or green onions
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper
butter

Boil the potatoes until soft, but not mushy. Drain and return to the pan quickly-you want them to stay warm. You can have the following ready a little before the potatoes are done: add the scallions or green onion after you have chopped it to the milk in a small pan and cook for 5 minutes. Beat this into the potatoes until smooth and fluffy. Season to taste and serve with a pat of butter in each serving.

HEARTY DISHES

Irish Stew

This is the basic, traditional stew!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds mutton, cut into pieces
6 carrots, sliced
2 pounds potatoes
Salt and pepper
1 pound onions
Parsley

Place meat and vegetables in saucepan and cover with cold water. Add salt and pepper to season as well as a few sprigs of fresh parsley. Slowly bring to a boil and skim off the top. Simmer over a very low heat for about 2 hours or until the meat is tender.

About the author
Brenda Hyde is a wife and Mom of three, a freelance writer, and editor of OldFashionedLiving.com. Her grandfather was born in Ireland and became a merchant seaman at a young age, ending up in America, where her aunt and father were born.

Enjoy ! Grandma Rosie