Sometimes It's Good to Have Heard Wrong

It's been over a month since I've gotten here, and I haven't posted since the first week.  So much for keeping everyone up to date huh?  Well I'll do my best to make up for lost time.  Last time you heard from me I was jumping into off of the northern coast of Northern Ireland into the Northern Atlantic.  All this to emphasize how far north this was, and in kind how cold.  Rising out of the sea and drying off with dish towels we got into our vans and stopped off to grab some dinner.  Mind you, I was told before I left on my trip that Irish food would be bland, boring, and I would soon grow tired of it. However, we went to this little restaurant somewhere along the motorway on the way back to Belfast, and I experienced some of the best traditional Irish fair.  Bangers and Mash.

Now, I didn't actually have mash, instead I had champ.  Now champ is essentially mash that has butter, chives, and milk mixed in.  On top of the champ I got four bangers, and a side of a gravy that was almost like an au jus with lots of onions (which I actually ate, my mother must be in shock).  The portion was fairly generous, but I felt I would still be hungry with no side dish.  I was wrong.  Not only was it delicious but when I was done I was stuffed.  What makes a meal like bangers and mash so good in Ireland is the fact that the sausage and potatoes for my meal were likely grown on the island.  Not only does this say something about the freshness of the product, but the farm it came from is most likely a small acreage farm run by the same family it has been for years, which says a lot about quality and authenticity.  This of course was not the only traditional fare that I have taken part in, however, here are not all that many innately Irish dishes out there.

          

I've had fish and chips more than once, my favorite coming from the Jolly Fryer.  Salt and Vinegar of course a must.  I've also had a traditional Irish roast, yorkshire puddings, Irish scones, and the most unhealthy of breakfasts, the Ulster fry.  An Ulster fry is the North Irish equivalent of the English full breakfast. Sausage, Bacon, Eggs, Tomatos, Beans, Toast, and Potato Bread.  Now I had it as Brinner (breakfast for dinner) seeming as, well I'm not sure I would be able to force all that down before noon. But let me tell you, it was delicious. If anyone has ever told you the food in Ireland stinks, ask them if they've been.  Besides a more conservative use of seasonings and the lack of true spiciness in any of their dishes I have no complaints. Although I can't comment on the English or Scottish yet.  No black pudding or hagas for me yet.  More to come very soon, sorry to keep you folks in anticipation.