Many of us miss our national food. It is not surprising – people easily get used to what they eat and it is hard to change someone’s habits. But as Ireland is becoming more and more international, it is not difficult to get something that will suit our tastes. Almost everything can be found in The English Market: cheese, sausages, olives, salads… Moreover, there are plenty of shops where delicacies from certain countries like Poland or Russia are offered. In bigger cities like Dublin, Limerick or Cork, immigrants discover not only shops with their national food. There are plenty of Chinese, Italian, French restaurants, also fast-food places which are open long hours due to their unbelievable popularity. Non-Irish restaurants and pubs are getting more and more popular among native inhabitants of the island. Many tables in India or Thai restaurants are often pre-booked by… the Irish! They are often full in the evenings and during the weekends and it is sometimes difficult to find a free place. Most Irish people would like to taste a diversity of food, so do immigrants?    

As long as we are in Ireland, every aspect of Irish life should be discovered, including the food area as a crucial compound of culture. One of the Irish proverbs says “Laughter is brightest where food is best” not without the reason. Traditional food is something the Irish should be very proud of. It would be a serious sin – to be in Ireland and not to try any of local specialties. But to my disappointment, many immigrants asked what an Irish stew can be made of cannot even say what it is unless their Irish friends invite them for a traditional dinner. Unfortunately, local people don’t make it easier to discover the secrets of Irish cooking. It is hard to learn about Irish food, as it is a huge challenge to find any restaurant in Cork that offers traditional Irish cuisine. What a shame! Local food in Ireland is really worth trying and all the visitors should take this chance. It is hard to say what it is – reluctance towards the national cuisine or a passion to try something more exotic – that makes Irish food so unpopular in restaurants.

Anyway, as long as Ireland is a holiday destination for many foreigners and plenty of people are coming here every year to settle down, opening restaurant with local food might be a good tip for those who would like to set up their own business. But before we take a chance to book  a table we should rely on Irish hospitality and wait for an invitation… or try to make some food by ourselves!

Scalloped Potatoes
It is amazing what can be made of potatoes and in how many ways they can be prepared (and taste different!). Ireland is the real master of potatoes, it  could be even called The Potato Country: salads, wedges, pies, cakes, casseroles, colcannon and many other.

Here I present a recipe for one of the easiest dishes – scalloped potatoes. What is this? Thinly sliced potatoes layered with cream and baked until they are bubbling and browned. It is a classic accompaniment to a roast beef.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, minced
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1cup shredded cheddar cheese

Method:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, melt butter in over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add onion and sauté until it turns soft and begins to brown. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add cream, milk, thyme, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and potatoes and bring to simmer. Cover, adjusting heat as necessary to maintain light simmer, and cook until potatoes are almost tender, about 15 minutes.

2. Remove and discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Transfer potato mixture to 3-quart gratin dish and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cream has thickened and is bubbling around sides and top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your meal!!!

Web sites with Irish recipes:
www.irelandseye.com
www.irishabroad.com
www.foodireland.com/recipes
www.ireland-information.com