"The Celtic tradition always puts emphasis on life and family. No wonder traditional Celtic foods are homemade and are famed for their rich and mouthwatering flare. While a lot of people outside Ireland think that the ordinary Irish diet is composed of nothing but potatoes and mutton, the truth is, traditional Irish cuisine is truly varied.
Modern day Celtic cuisine is the result of many influences originating from the time of the landing of the Celts in Ireland around 500 BC to the time when the Vikings and the English colonized the island.
Until the potato arrived in the 16th century, Celtic dishes were actually cattle-based. The wealthy feasted on meat while the middle-class and poor ate milk, cheese, butter and grains.
What are some of the most popular Celtic dishes? Keep reading to discover easy, basic foods that will add an Irish twist to any meal.
Colcannon
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| Colcannon Photo © ABP |
Colcannon is a favorite Celtic dish featuring mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. Colcannon is a staple during the St Patrick's Day. It’s also known for being served when a family wants to predict their unmarried daughter’s prospects during Halloween. Mothers would stuff colcannon with charms and an unmarried girl would need to search for them. Once found, they have to place the charms inside socks containing spoonfuls of colcannon. Then, the charms are placed on the handle of the front door. The first single man to enter will be intended groom.
Irish Champ
In his book Traits and Stories of the Irish peasantry volume 4, Carlton explains that champ is a mixture of mashed potatoes and chopped green onions. Butter, milk, salt and pepper are added for flavor. That's it. No Celtic cuisine is ever complete without a potato or two as an ingredient. Just like colcannon, Irish champ is another tribute to the humble but all-time favorite potato. Whether you use fresh or left-over potatoes, making champ is a delight for any foodie.
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| Bread and Butter Pudding Photo � RFB photography |
This dessert filled with a blend of raisins, butter, white bread, and is infused with Irish whiskey. No eating spree in Ireland is complete without a taste of this iconic bread and butter pudding, which is easy to make and takes only a few ingredients and less than an hour to bake up. Use left-over bread or cake, mix them with brown bread or croissants, add a few items as binders, and you’ve got a savory pudding that’s perfect anytime. The Irish liqueur can be left out, but use it for a bit more of an Irish flair."
There's much more to Irish cooking than this. In fact, the book that accompanies my CD, Haste to the Wedding, contains recipes for Irish Blondies, Ginger Shortbread, Boxty Pancakes, a Guinness Wedding Cake, and even instructions on how to prepare a Proper Irish Tea. You'll find this combination book/CD on sale at my website at CelticHarpMusic.com, discounted when you purchase my other combination book/CDs.
Do you have some fabulous Celtic recipes to share? You're welcome to be the next guest blogger here at the Celtic Harp Music Blog. Contact me to be featured as a guest blogger through the email posted on my website at CelticHarpMusic.com.
About our guest blogger: Manilyn Moreno is writing on behalf of Better Cater. She loves organizing themed events like Celtic-inspired weddings.
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