Experience A Genuine Cuisine Adventure In Ireland

One of our focus destinations here at Recess 4 Grownups is Ireland, and this year we have the Navy versus Notre Dame college football game playing in Dublin. That inspires this week’s article, since I find so many people have an incorrect opinion about Irish cuisine…

Experience a Genuine Cuisine Adventure in Ireland 

The Emerald Isle is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, beautiful folk music, and mouth-watering ales.

But when it comes to cuisine, the long-held view of food in Ireland is that it is not very interesting, and that there’s just lots of meat and potatoes. Most folks would not think of Ireland as the place to go for a foodie experience.

And that view is totally wrong.

Ireland has a been putting a focus on cuisine for years, and it results in an outstanding culinary experience. Just think about it – where better to have a true ‘farm to table’ experience? Ireland cuisine is a mix of old and new.

Irish cuisine has delightful dishes that are part of the history and traditions of this beautiful country. The revived cuisine is comforting and rich and can be considered a true reflection of the people’s warmth and friendliness. The traditional stylings offered by many pubs will still exhibit fresh local produce.

And as Ireland as developed into a culinary destination, their amazingly talented chefs are experts at using Irish produce to create modern fusion cuisine influenced by the rest of the world. The island of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) is home to 21 Michelin restaurants.

When planning a trip to the Emerald Isle, you shouldn’t skip an essential part of it — tasting Ireland’s delicious food.

The Original Full Irish Breakfast 

This famous dish includes specifics such as bacon rashers, pork sausages, fried eggs (or scrambled), white pudding, black pudding, bread, mushrooms and grilled tomato. However, the elements may vary depending on geography, personal preference, and cultural affinity in Ireland. Some will add baked beans, hash browns, liver, porridge, and brown soda bread to complete the meal.

A singular ingredient like the Irish sausage has so many variations to it. For example, high-end places offer creative variations by infusing them with fruits and herbs.

The beginning of a good day starts with the traditional Irish breakfast. You’ll see a large breakfast spread at your hotel, as it is expected that you will have a very large breakfast, with a smaller lunch – it’s quite common to see very simple white bread sandwiches or a bowl of chowder for lunch.

Pub Food is Always a Good Choice

Besides the outstanding ales, Irish people know how to serve a good pub meal. Pubs play a massive role in the Irish social scene and should be a part of your travel experience. Pubs are the places where you’ll feel the pulse of Ireland and, of course, taste delicious food.

From delightful stews to fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone on a pub’s menu. Usually, the menu includes a hearty assortment of dishes such as:

• Irish stew made of lamb meat, mashed potatoes, onions, carrots, and herbs.
• Soups and chowders that are usually slow-cooked have a remarkable taste.
• Coddle made with bacon, pork sausages, potatoes, and onions stewed in layers.
• Famous fish and chips that work perfectly with a pint of Guinness.
• Collar and cabbage consist of boiled bacon coated in breadcrumbs and brown sugar, then baked and served with cabbage.
  
• Soda bread is a traditional Irish bread made without yeast, with varieties ranging from slightly sweet wheat bread to bread made with stout as the main liquid ingredient.
• Champ is a combination of mashed potato with milk and onion sauce.

The local pub is the perfect place to try some of the traditional Irish favorites. Irish stew consists of lamb, potatoes and seasonal vegetables like carrots and parsnips. Try a classic Shepherd’s pie with lamb and mashed potatoes, or some real Irish corned beef.

You’re not limited to traditional foods, and most pubs also serve other favorites like hamburgers (made with Irish beef) and pizza.

If you want to experience the feeling of community and discover more about Irish identity, pubs should be on your visit list.

Treat Yourself With The Ultimate Dining Experience

As soon as you get to taste the freshness of modern Irish cuisine, you’ll absolutely fall in love with it. Michelin-starred chefs will invite you on a culinary journey with a rich menu with at least 30 local ingredients.

In essence, experienced chefs claim that Irish food is all about fresh ingredients. They are produced locally, and the country’s environment allows chefs to play with a wide variety of products. There are oyster farmers, cheese makers, fermenters, nut growers, goat herders, seaweed harvesters, and biodynamic vegetable growers. Diversity is something Irish chefs explore every day.

A fine dining experience will let you know that Irish cuisine is not just about meat, potatoes, and stews. Fine dining includes high-quality products and ingredients provided locally, preserving the original taste and mixing it with the modern twist of serving.

Here they champion the single cuts of meats and seafood. You will see specific breeds of native Irish cows and sheep offered on the menu. This allows you to taste the exact meats that the Irish ancestors ate, Dexter Beef and Galway Mountain Sheep are often a feature on these menus, along with an array of fresh seafood.

Seasonal traditional vegetables are then added to these dishes and desserts to enhance their ancestral authenticity. Wild foraged berries and herbs have become increasingly trendy on the Irish fine dining scene thus creating a dining experience that you can not get anywhere else in the world.

Choose to Live and Authentic Irish Adventure

True adventures are not complete without tasting a country’s real food. Eating, drinking, and having fun like a local is essential to truly understanding the secret pulse of a nation. Talented chefs will invite you on a stellar culinary journey that will delight your taste buds and your eyes.