Irish America
Irish America
Of all the world's foods, those musky things known as mushrooms are the strangest. Some can be had free for the taking while others are delicacies that are worth their weight in gold. Of the 4,000 known species, most are inedible, some are tasty morsels, and a few are lethal poisons. Supermarkets stock mushrooms in the produce section, but they're not vegetables. And since they … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Magic Mushrooms!
A word can mean many things. For millions, epiphany signifies a holy day on the church calendar, the Feast of Epiphany which commemorates the Magi's presentation of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Christ child. As the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Epiphany also marks the last festive occasion of the holiday season. Finally, the American Heritage Dictionary defines … [Read more...] about Slainte! Celebrating The Feast of Epiphany
In a recent issue of a prestigious American travel magazine, a well-known author wrote about the food of Ireland. After dining at one of the Republic's most illustrious hotels, he described his meal as "trendy" because the chef had used certain ingredients that were not, in his inflated opinion, Irish. What, I wondered, was this self-righteous writer talking about? Was he … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Hail to the Chef
Promenade. Ambulate. Ramble, rove, and wander. Trudge. Strut. Meander, stroll and saunter. Call it what you will, but moving your feet one after the other along the ground all comes down to a very basic physical activity. Walking. It's one of the things the Irish do best. No matter the time of day, the season, or the weather. From top to bottom and sea to sea, tiny Ireland is … [Read more...] about Slàinte! A Taste of Bloomsday
Writing this column usually sends me on a trip down memory lane reliving scenes from my childhood and moments with my father, a meat-and-potatoes man if there ever was one. It never occurred to me while growing up that there might be reasons for Dad's menu preferences, but investigating Ireland's culinary history continues to reveal that his food choices were a much as part of … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Dun Cow
