Today, celebrations have been planned in Dublin at exactly 17.59. Why this time? Well, glasses will be raised to celebrate the historical signing of Guinness' lease at St James Gate,Dublin in 1759.
Arthur Guinness secured its lease for 9,000 years at a cost of 45pounds per annum!
Guinness is now owned by the Multinational company Diageo and they have dubbed today "Arthurs Day" to commemorate 250 years since Arthur Guinness went into business.
Once upon a time, Guinnes used the slogan "Guinness is Good For You"
Nowadays they cannot use that . Since then people have collected old memorabilia from the early 1920's. The original campaign stemmed from market research when people told them that they felt good after a pint!
However, there is some evidence that it is indeed good for you although they cannot , as a drink company say that. It has been proven that there are "antioxidant compounds" that help with heart health .
When I was growing up in Ireland my grandmother told me that they were advised as pregnant and nursing mothers to have a glass of this stout. Not so today!!
However, if you have not made a stew without Guinness, then you simply have not lived.
Simply put it is delicious.
GUINNESS STEW
I make mine with Stewing Beef, Onions,Carrots,rutabagas,Turnips,Parsnips and 2 cans of Guinness.
I make my potatoes separately , by boiling,and mashing because they will only break down and become mealy in the stew. Mashed Potatoes served with GUINNESS STEW is simply the best.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
PAST & PRESENT
The last few weeks have been somewhat of a whirlwind. Last weekend I went to Chicago to see U2 launch their 360 tour here in the U.S.
Irish flags were flying high as were spirits! Walking downtown to reach Soldier Field, were reminders of my past and heritage. I came across St Patricks Church just off Adams Street. Why did I never notice this church when I lived in the windy city 8 yrs ago?
This building survived the "Great Fire of Chicago" There it stood among buildings old and new.
What a contrast from the ancient St Patricks to the modern sound of U2. A mix of past and present. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" ever reminding of us our past. "I'll go crazy if I dont go crazy tonight" from the present.
You see this was my reminder of what I am trying to do. Combine the rich cultural heritage of our past with the modern contempoary present.
"An Bord Bia" which means Irish Food Board in Irish ,is also the charging the way with this message. As most of you know I am a huge advocate for using only the finest ingredients. Kerrygold Butter being the main ingredient in my IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS.
Our temperate climate contributes to our fine dairy products.
Mark my words as I continue to say that Ireland the REAL IRELAND that I know is far from Green Beer and Cabbage!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ziqs9DVr6k&feature=channel_page WATCH AND ENJOY................
Irish flags were flying high as were spirits! Walking downtown to reach Soldier Field, were reminders of my past and heritage. I came across St Patricks Church just off Adams Street. Why did I never notice this church when I lived in the windy city 8 yrs ago?
This building survived the "Great Fire of Chicago" There it stood among buildings old and new.
What a contrast from the ancient St Patricks to the modern sound of U2. A mix of past and present. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" ever reminding of us our past. "I'll go crazy if I dont go crazy tonight" from the present.
You see this was my reminder of what I am trying to do. Combine the rich cultural heritage of our past with the modern contempoary present.
"An Bord Bia" which means Irish Food Board in Irish ,is also the charging the way with this message. As most of you know I am a huge advocate for using only the finest ingredients. Kerrygold Butter being the main ingredient in my IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS.
Our temperate climate contributes to our fine dairy products.
Mark my words as I continue to say that Ireland the REAL IRELAND that I know is far from Green Beer and Cabbage!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ziqs9DVr6k&feature=channel_page WATCH AND ENJOY................
Sunday, August 30, 2009
HOMESICK
After several problems with the sound on my computer, I finally got it fixed. Oh joy!
Now I can finally catch up on several emails and work assignmentst that require sound. Tonight I had the fortune of sitting watching and listening to my fellow Cork woman Clodagh McKenna on RTE televisions show "FRESH FROM THE SEA"
Now, I'm homesick. Very very ,homesick.........The water is afterall in my blood.........
.http://www.vimeo.com/6081774
Now I can finally catch up on several emails and work assignmentst that require sound. Tonight I had the fortune of sitting watching and listening to my fellow Cork woman Clodagh McKenna on RTE televisions show "FRESH FROM THE SEA"
Now, I'm homesick. Very very ,homesick.........The water is afterall in my blood.........
.http://www.vimeo.com/6081774
Thursday, August 20, 2009
HERITAGE WEEK
Seems as though I fell off the face of the earth and in a way I did! My kids went back to school yesterday and the preparations filled my days. Now that they are back , it reminds me of my own back to school days in Ireland in early September. At this moment in time I know where I would rather be. IRELAND...........WHY? Heritage Week is from Aug 22nd- Aug 30th. So any of you planning a trip to Ireland during this week there is plenty on offer.
The Council of Europe and European Union put together Heritage Week every year. Over 40 countries participate. The goal is to "To build awareness of our built,natural and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation"
Ireland has its kick off on Saturday August 22nd in "Kilkenny Castle"
This magnificent castle is perched strategically on the River Nore. Built in the 12th Century, it will be home to the opening of Heritage Week. What a week they have planned.
The castle alone is a sight to behold, from touring the castle to roaming the excuisite gardens.
Clodagh McKenna, Irelands Chef and Tv personality will be there to conduct Cooking Demonstrations. Clodagh shares the same passion and belief as me as she is a strong supporter of "SLOW FOOD" http://www.slowfood.com/
Slow Food promotes sustainable agriculture and is a celebration of local food and its producers globally. There is a chapter in almost every city throughout the world now.
Clodagh has recently launched her own line of 50's style aprons in Ireland that are bright , fun and whimsical ! Maybe we should get them here?! Clodagh is a fellow Cork Woman, and was in fact my next door neighbor as a kid !!http://www.clodaghmckenna.com/
If food and cooking is not quite your thing, perhaps pottery is? The famous Nicholas Mosse will be on hand to talk on August 27th about the history of the mill and pottery in Bennetsbridge, Kilkenny.
The week is packed with events such as "Story telling" , Dry Stone walling and Stone Carving, Butter Making (my favorite !) thatching and even Hurley Making (Hurley is a sport in Ireland)
Perhaps Whale Watching? This happens on August 23rd throughout Ireland.
You can go to this web site http://www.heritageweek.ie/en/intro/about_us_introduction.aspx ,
choose the County in Ireland you wish to visit and see the list of events for the week.
The Council of Europe and European Union put together Heritage Week every year. Over 40 countries participate. The goal is to "To build awareness of our built,natural and cultural heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation"
Ireland has its kick off on Saturday August 22nd in "Kilkenny Castle"
This magnificent castle is perched strategically on the River Nore. Built in the 12th Century, it will be home to the opening of Heritage Week. What a week they have planned.
The castle alone is a sight to behold, from touring the castle to roaming the excuisite gardens.
Clodagh McKenna, Irelands Chef and Tv personality will be there to conduct Cooking Demonstrations. Clodagh shares the same passion and belief as me as she is a strong supporter of "SLOW FOOD" http://www.slowfood.com/
Slow Food promotes sustainable agriculture and is a celebration of local food and its producers globally. There is a chapter in almost every city throughout the world now.
Clodagh has recently launched her own line of 50's style aprons in Ireland that are bright , fun and whimsical ! Maybe we should get them here?! Clodagh is a fellow Cork Woman, and was in fact my next door neighbor as a kid !!http://www.clodaghmckenna.com/
If food and cooking is not quite your thing, perhaps pottery is? The famous Nicholas Mosse will be on hand to talk on August 27th about the history of the mill and pottery in Bennetsbridge, Kilkenny.
The week is packed with events such as "Story telling" , Dry Stone walling and Stone Carving, Butter Making (my favorite !) thatching and even Hurley Making (Hurley is a sport in Ireland)
Perhaps Whale Watching? This happens on August 23rd throughout Ireland.
You can go to this web site http://www.heritageweek.ie/en/intro/about_us_introduction.aspx ,
choose the County in Ireland you wish to visit and see the list of events for the week.
If you go............Send me a Postcard !!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
IRISH BUTTER
The last few days I have been talking about cheese and cheesecake as yesterday was National Cheesecake Day !! There will be a day for everything soon !
The key ingredient or common denominator here is MILK. More importantly IRISH MILK.
As some of you already know I began RACHEL GAFFNEY'S AUTHENTIC IRISH GOODS with a passion & mission. To educate & entertain people about the REAL IRELAND that I know and love.
Yes, it is indeed steeped in tradion,history and culture. Films such as 'The Quiet Man' have their place. However, people we are NOT still dancing at the crossroads. We do in fact have running water and electricity. Don't get me wrong, I strongly agree with the words of Edmund Burke "People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors"
We are today a product of our past. In getting to this point we have become a nation known for its exquisite natural ingredients. Namely the Land & The Sea. If you have been to Ireland then hopefully you will have tasted for yourself what I refer to. As some of you know one of my products is IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS. I only use the finest ingredients for these. Namely Flour,Butter and Sugar (You always list your heaviest ingredient first for pacaking!)
The butter I use is KERRYGOLD UNSALTED BUTTER. If you have not tried this butter then you simply just have NOT LIVED yet.
The cattle in Ireland are grass fed. We have heard many times about the 'Green Green Grass'
Ireland has a temperate climate,which in turn yields this magnificent pasture. When you open a block of KERRYGOLD BUTTER, you will be blinded by the light!! It is in actual fact bright yellow or GOLD. Perhaps this is the pot at the end of the rainbow, well at least for me it is anyway. March this year I was on SHOWCASE MINNESOTA (KARE11) talking about this butter. Even Rob,the host,noticed the smell and colour. You can watch the video by cicking on the link.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i9467hCvOo
KERRYGOLD has this colour because of the natural beta carotene. It is NOT an additive. You can find this butter all over the U.S now. Whole Foods,Central Market,Lunds & Byerly's in Minnesota. Wegmans,Trader Joes. So you see it is indeed widely available. Baking with it is incredible. Your baked goods will be flakier. Try it and see how people notice the difference. You can get Salted or unsalted. Eating on a slice of toast,Irish Soda bread,Bagutte etc is simply a little slice of Irish Heaven...............Let me know what you think
The key ingredient or common denominator here is MILK. More importantly IRISH MILK.
As some of you already know I began RACHEL GAFFNEY'S AUTHENTIC IRISH GOODS with a passion & mission. To educate & entertain people about the REAL IRELAND that I know and love.
Yes, it is indeed steeped in tradion,history and culture. Films such as 'The Quiet Man' have their place. However, people we are NOT still dancing at the crossroads. We do in fact have running water and electricity. Don't get me wrong, I strongly agree with the words of Edmund Burke "People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors"
We are today a product of our past. In getting to this point we have become a nation known for its exquisite natural ingredients. Namely the Land & The Sea. If you have been to Ireland then hopefully you will have tasted for yourself what I refer to. As some of you know one of my products is IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS. I only use the finest ingredients for these. Namely Flour,Butter and Sugar (You always list your heaviest ingredient first for pacaking!)
The butter I use is KERRYGOLD UNSALTED BUTTER. If you have not tried this butter then you simply just have NOT LIVED yet.
The cattle in Ireland are grass fed. We have heard many times about the 'Green Green Grass'
Ireland has a temperate climate,which in turn yields this magnificent pasture. When you open a block of KERRYGOLD BUTTER, you will be blinded by the light!! It is in actual fact bright yellow or GOLD. Perhaps this is the pot at the end of the rainbow, well at least for me it is anyway. March this year I was on SHOWCASE MINNESOTA (KARE11) talking about this butter. Even Rob,the host,noticed the smell and colour. You can watch the video by cicking on the link.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i9467hCvOo
KERRYGOLD has this colour because of the natural beta carotene. It is NOT an additive. You can find this butter all over the U.S now. Whole Foods,Central Market,Lunds & Byerly's in Minnesota. Wegmans,Trader Joes. So you see it is indeed widely available. Baking with it is incredible. Your baked goods will be flakier. Try it and see how people notice the difference. You can get Salted or unsalted. Eating on a slice of toast,Irish Soda bread,Bagutte etc is simply a little slice of Irish Heaven...............Let me know what you think
Thursday, July 30, 2009
CHEESECAKE,CHEESECAKE,CHEESECAKE. TO CRACK OR NOT TO CRACK?
So people, today is believe it or not 'National Cheesecake Day'! Yup, thats correct. Not sure when it began or who came up with the idea, all I know is that today July 30th is the day.
There are so many variations. Cheesecake dates back to 776 BC, where small cheesecakes were served at the 1st Olympic Games. When the Romans conquered Greece, they brought their recipe back with them, making versions known as 'Placenta' and 'Libum'.
Fast Forward to the time of the Tudors in England, 1545, recipes can be found in cookbooks for this tasty treat. The Italians like to use Ricotta Cheese,The French,Neufchatel.....and New York style cheesecake tends to use Cream Cheese. Whichever way you like it....then its good !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqx55i25XU
Last year,whilst working in Minnesota, I made Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake,using my own Irish Butter Shortbreads, (RACHEL GAFFNEY'S TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS) It was a hit. I also made one on the morning show "SHOWCASE MINNESOTA" In this tv segment I showed how I like to have the crack in my cheesecake.
Who cares? Why does it have to be perfect? Nothing ever is.....We have been conditioned to have ALL FOOD look perfect... Below is a clip explaining how to make the cheesecake and also how beautiful it looks NATURALLY........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqx55i25XU
There are so many variations. Cheesecake dates back to 776 BC, where small cheesecakes were served at the 1st Olympic Games. When the Romans conquered Greece, they brought their recipe back with them, making versions known as 'Placenta' and 'Libum'.
Fast Forward to the time of the Tudors in England, 1545, recipes can be found in cookbooks for this tasty treat. The Italians like to use Ricotta Cheese,The French,Neufchatel.....and New York style cheesecake tends to use Cream Cheese. Whichever way you like it....then its good !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqx55i25XU
Last year,whilst working in Minnesota, I made Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake,using my own Irish Butter Shortbreads, (RACHEL GAFFNEY'S TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS) It was a hit. I also made one on the morning show "SHOWCASE MINNESOTA" In this tv segment I showed how I like to have the crack in my cheesecake.
Who cares? Why does it have to be perfect? Nothing ever is.....We have been conditioned to have ALL FOOD look perfect... Below is a clip explaining how to make the cheesecake and also how beautiful it looks NATURALLY........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqx55i25XU
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
TIME FOR CHEESE........
Oh, how I'm sated....so very very sated ! To me, next to IRISH BUTTER, IRISH CHEESE is the next best. Tonight, I ate or rather devoured my most favourite cheese in the world. CASHEL BLUE. If you have not had this cheese yet, then all I can say is , "You poor poor thing"
Life begins after you have tried this cheese. I regularly make large quantities of Tomato & Ginger Chutney, and when I do a visit to "Sigels" in Addison , Tx is in order to purchase a large quantity of "Cashel Blue".
Cashel Blue, hails from the Dairy farm in Cashel, Co Tipperary,Ireland. This family owned business is owned and run by Louis & Jane Grubb. Just like the Irish Butter I use to make my RACHEL GAFFNEY'S TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREAD, this cheese is made from Irelands finest cows milk. It will melt in your mouth, driving your taste buds wild, leaving you begging for more. I'm serious. I challenge you to try this cheese.
Ireland boasts the finest dairy products in the world. This is due in part to our temperate climate. The cattle are grass fed and the results...well...they speak for themselves.
I suggest you visit your local Cheese shop, Central Market,Whole Foods etc and ask for this cheese. Then I want to hear from you......Let me know what you think....I will publish your findings.......
Life begins after you have tried this cheese. I regularly make large quantities of Tomato & Ginger Chutney, and when I do a visit to "Sigels" in Addison , Tx is in order to purchase a large quantity of "Cashel Blue".
Cashel Blue, hails from the Dairy farm in Cashel, Co Tipperary,Ireland. This family owned business is owned and run by Louis & Jane Grubb. Just like the Irish Butter I use to make my RACHEL GAFFNEY'S TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREAD, this cheese is made from Irelands finest cows milk. It will melt in your mouth, driving your taste buds wild, leaving you begging for more. I'm serious. I challenge you to try this cheese.
Ireland boasts the finest dairy products in the world. This is due in part to our temperate climate. The cattle are grass fed and the results...well...they speak for themselves.
I suggest you visit your local Cheese shop, Central Market,Whole Foods etc and ask for this cheese. Then I want to hear from you......Let me know what you think....I will publish your findings.......
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