I have been fortunate to travel and live in other parts of the world. Everywhere I’ve been holds a unique charm but for me there is no place quite like Ireland. I had no preconceived notion about it before going there on my first business trip more years ago than I care to mention, but remember a defining moment as I exited the plane door onto the top of the stairs down to the tarmac; I felt like I was ‘home’.
This feeling was further cemented in my encounters with everyone I met there, from taxi drivers concerned I’d not taken my breakfast before boarding the early morning, long flight home to America to my witty co-workers. Ireland is embedded in my heart and soul, as now is the beautiful cookbook I will share with you today: Irish Country Cooking from The Irish Countrywoman’s Association.
I simply love country food as I feel it is an authentic voice of a food culture. Don’t be confused by the term ‘country’; that doesn’t mean it is unsophisticated in the flavor profiles, it just is straight forward, layered with flavor and ‘real’. This cookbook delivers that in spades. Divided by all the familiar recipe categories Irish Country Cooking serves up delicious fare such as Cauliflower and Bacon Soup with Cheese Toasties, Quick Spiced Beef with Orange Cream, Roast Chicken with Onion and Thyme Stuffing, in addition to more traditional recipes for things such as Dublin Coddle, Shepherd’s Pie and Lickeen Colcannon. Every course is represented along with helpful tutorials on how to cook for a crowd, how make preserves, how to cook potatoes and more.
I will admit I found myself quite moved when reading the forward to the cookbook written by Liz Wall, the current National President of the Irish Countrywoman’s Association. I was touched in realizing the history of what this organization of woman has achieved over the years, including introducing seeds for new vegetables in the late 1920’s as well as leading cooking classes on how to use the produce to expand from the potatoes, onions and cabbage which until 1920 were the only local produce in Ireland. The group went on to teach poultry and egg production, cheese-making and bee-keeping in the 1930’s to improve member’s diets and introduce another form of income, able to be sought for women at home.
The intention and spirit of the ICA is further chronicled in the book as is their deep, committed mission to deliver education and record the history of Irish homemade cuisine. The organization has been in place for over 100 years. Previously published cookbooks of ICA members have become family heirlooms, passed down through the generations. For the first time the best recipes from these cookbooks have been compiled into this 100 recipe cookbook, Irish Country Cooking.
The cookbook is filled with rich, rustic photography conveying not only a visual of the given recipes but also the tone of the food; thoughtful, inspired, traditional and modern Irish food. One touch I found fantastic is that with each recipe is the recipe originator, her county and a bio line. ‘Mairead O’Carrol, Cork: Mother of Six Who Loves Entertaining.’ ‘Marie McGuirk, Louth: Cookery Tutor and Aspiring Golfer.’ ‘Eileen McGlew, Louth: Gran Who Loves Trying New Recipes’. ‘Ada Vance, Cavan: Hill-Walking Granny and Expert Patchworker’. These woman would make a Real Housewives franchise I really would want to watch! After reading the book I wanted to get on a plane to go meet every one of them. And somehow I felt I did so through their food already. The cookbook features some celebrity chef contributions too and each recipe includes both metric and English measurements for ingredients.
This cookbook has soul. The food is real as are the people who serve up the dishes. How often does one get the chance to sample the fare of generations of cuisine, just as current on today’s table as it was over 100 years ago? This is a prized cookbook for any kitchen.
It is my good fortune to share a recipe from Irish Country Cooking for Black Forest Gateau, a gorgeous cake from Claire Ann McDonnell, hailing from County Wicklow who ‘loves gardening and the country air’. In addition Sterling Epicure is making a copy of Irish Country Cooking available to a Boulder Locavore reader (in the U.S. or Canada). See details below.
Recipe
Black Forest Gateau
Ingredients
- 4 eggs , separated
- 110 g (4oz) caster sugar
- 110 g (4oz) self-raising flour*
- 50 g (2oz) chocolate
- powder
- 225 g (8oz) tinned black cherries, drained, halved and stones removed
- 570 ml (1 pint) cream, whipped
- to finish (optional)
- grated milk chocolate
- crushed chocolate biscuits (cookies)
- 2 x 20cm (8in) round sandwich tins (baking pans)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190ºC/375ºF/Gas 5. Line sandwich tins with baking parchment (parchment paper).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff. Sieve (sift) in the caster sugar and mix well.
- Add the egg yolks and mix until the mixture changes color.
- Sieve (sift) in the flour and chocolate powder and gently fold in to incorporate fully.
- Divide cake mixture between the two tins and bake in preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the tins for five minutes. Remove from the tins and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Place one sponge (cake layer) on a serving plate and cover with a third of the cream and two thirds of the cherries.
- Top with the second sponge (cake layer) and cover the top and sides with cream.
- Spoon the remaining cream into a piping bag. Pipe 10–12 swirls around the top and again at the base of the cake, and place a cherry on each swirl. If you like, you can finish by pressing grated chocolate or crushed chocolate biscuits (cookies) to the sides of the cake with a palette knife.
- Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I was provided a review copy of Irish Country Cooking. All opinions are my own.
Viviane Bauquet Farre - Food and Style says
Toni, this looks delicious! I share your enthusiasm for “country” cooking — not a pejorative at all in my book.
Alison says
A lot of these recipes sound good, so I’d like to win this cookbook!
Marilyn Lesniak says
I am 100% Irish, yet, other than stew I don’t have any other recipes! I would live this!
Cindy G. says
I’m torn… I would love to win this cookbook for my friend (she’s half Irish, loves to cook, and has traveled to Ireland several times), but I’d also like a copy for myself (I’m a quarter Irish). She does cook more than me, and it’s her birthday this week, so I could be convinced…
Steph says
I came across your blog today for the first time and so happy I stumbled upon it! After reading the Black Forest Gateau recipe above and your description of the cookbook, I’ve decided to make it for Easter dessert with my family (who love Black Forest)! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ann says
I would love this book! I have visited Ireland and had some wonderful meals there.
Andrea G says
I love Irish cooking, it’s satisfying and homey. And for some Irish music while you’re cooking check out Colcannon (from the Denver area.)
Cathy Ritter says
Always looking for gluten-free alternatives…especially when it comes to international cuisine. Thanks for sharing!
angelina says
Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful recipes, I just love them and save all of them.
Kimberly says
I love that you are sharing these. It believe it is a lost art and really appreciate that you are keeping it alive!