The Irish Cook can also be found at The Petit Chef and Pinterest.
I remember the day we visited we noticed an Indian family because of their beautifully colored coats. We continued to see those coats across much of Ireland as they must have been following the same tour map as we. We even saw them the day we visited the Cliffs of Moher on the east coast of Ireland. If we had not admired their clothing, we would never have realized we were making the same journey over several days together. I remember we saw them at Powerscourt, the Waterford glass factory, in Kinsale, and at Blarney Castle as well as the cliffs. Powerscourt Estate, located near Enniskerry, is a large country estate which is noted for its house and landscaped gardens, today occupying 19 hectares (47 acres). The house, originally a 13th century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by German architect Richard Cassels, starting in 1731 and finishing in 1741. A fire in 1974 left the house lying as a shell until it was renovated in 1996.
The estate is today owned and run by the Slazenger family. It is a popular tourist attraction, and includes a golf course, an Avoca Handweavers restaurant, and a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. There is a very large tree on the estate, the largest I have seen other than redwoods. I wonder if it is still a prominent structure on the property. Many tourists had their picture taken if front of it including moi. Powerscourt waterfall and its surrounding valley are also owned by the Powerscourt estate, although the two pieces of land are no longer directly connected. At 121 meters, it is the highest waterfall in Ireland.
April 1985
In 1974, Donald Pratt, a solicitor engaged to handle the sale of the mill which then faced closure decided to buy it himself. Along with his wife, Hilary, a teacher, he set about getting Avoca Handweavers back on its feet. The Pratts began exporting handwoven rugs and throws to the UK and other countries. Managed now by two generations of the Pratt family, Avoca continues to develop with several large retail outlets around Ireland, in Belfast and Annapolis, Maryland. I'm lucky to have a sister who lives in Annapolis so I can continue to purchase these lovely products. Many of these also have large foodhalls and cafes attached as their food operations expand. The Avoca Cafe Cookbooks have proven to be popular bestsellers, inspired by Simon and Ivan Pratt.
County Wicklow is one of the most popular film-making locations in Ireland. Bray, in the north of the county, is home to Ardmore Studios, where many of Ireland's best known feature films, including John Boorman's Excalibur, Jim Sheridan's Oscar winning In the Name of the Father, and several Neil Jordan films have been shot. The BBC series Ballykissangel was also filmed in County Wicklow. Bray Jazz Festival, the county's premier arts festival event, takes place on the May bank holiday weekend each year. Wicklow is also home to a number of notable figures in literature, film, and music. There is so much to do in County Wicklow I could not possibly list everything here. It is definitely a county not to miss.
Here are some Irish whiskey recipes courtesy of drinksmixer.com. I hope you are able to find at least one that you can enjoy and warm you by a cozy hearth on a cold, winter's evening. The website is:
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink4414.html. If you want to make more than one drink, click on the link and fill in the number you want to make. The site will automatically give you the correct amounts. Very convenient. They also have more offerings like cold Irish coffee drink recipes. The Isle Style Irish Coffee is closest to the coffee I had that night in Wicklow at the pub quiz, and I tried them all!! One word of advice. I would make the coffee the way you like coffee. That is if you like sweeter coffee, add more sugar, etc. Don't forego Irish coffee simply because you do not care for the taste as the recipe produces. Alter it to your coffee preferences. It is worth the effort.
Isle Style Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
12 oz. of strong hot coffee
1 T. of sugar
1 oz. of Jameson Irish Whiskey
Heavy cream
Directions:
Whip cream lightly, just until thickened and set aside. It should still pour but light enough to float on the coffee. Ideally, the cream layer will stay separate but will come off with the coffee, as it is drunk. Note that no sweeteners or flavors are added to the cream. (If preparing multiple servings, you might want to complete one and taste for sugar/whiskey balance before proceeding with the remainder.)
Place 1 tablespoon of sugar in each pre-warmed mug; then fill with coffee to about one inch from the top. Stir to dissolve sugar. The amount of sugar may need to be adjusted depending on taste, mug size, and type of coffee.
One mug at a time: add Jameson's with a quick stir, then immediately cover with approximately ½ inch of the prepared cream. The idea is to seal in the whiskey before the flavors and alcohol can begin to evaporate. Pouring the cream over a spoon held just above the coffee will help keep the cream and coffee from mixing. For larger mugs, 1½ oz. of Jameson's may be needed. Great alone anytime or served with shortbread cookies as a dessert. Serve in mug.
Simple Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
8 oz. of coffee
1 tsp. of sugar
1 T. of whipped cream
Directions:
Start with sugar in the empty glass. Next pour in the whiskey, followed by the coffee. Stir until sugar is dissolved, and let mixture settle. Float whipped cream on top and serve. Serve in Irish coffee cup or Irish coffee glass. I have a set of these that actually mark the level of each ingredient. What could be simpler. You can find these online and in Irish specialty stores. They are usually decorated with some Irish decor like shamrocks, leprechauns, the claddagh, or the shape of Ireland. Bailey's Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
8 oz. of coffee
2 oz. of Bailey's Irish Cream
2 oz. of half and half
1 tsp. of sugar
Directions:
Mix coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream with half and half. Add sugar and stir. Serve hot in an Irish coffee cup.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
1 tsp. of brown sugar
6 oz. of hot coffee
Heavy cream
Directions:
Combine whiskey, sugar, and coffee in a mug and stir to dissolve. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix. Serve in Irish coffee cup.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
6 oz. of coffee
1 oz. of brown sugar syrup
1 oz. of whipped cream
Directions:
Combine the whiskey, coffee, and syrup in an Irish coffee cup. Gently ladle the cream on top, and serve. Serve in Irish coffee cup.
Citrus Irish Coffee
4 strips of orange peel
4 strips of lemon peel
16 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tsp. of sugar
1/4 pint of Irish whiskey
3/4 pint of strong hot coffee
Powdered sugar
3 T. of whipped cream
Directions:
Stud the strips of orange and lemon peel with 2 cloves each, and place them in a frying pan or chafing dish with the stick of cinnamon and the 2 teaspoons of sugar. Place over moderate heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has melted. Pour the Irish whiskey into the pan and light a match to the liquid. (Be sure to step back since the flame will flare up instantly.) Shake the pan slowly until the flame dies out. Pour in the hot coffee all at once and let it come to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
Rub the cut edge of a strip of lemon peel around the inside of each the Irish coffee cup and dip it into a dish of powdered sugar so that the sugar adheres to the inside rim. Pour in the coffee, trying not to disturb the sugar. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve in an Irish coffee cup.
A popular trend in the 80s in Ireland was the pub quiz. It was like jeopardy. My friend Teri Mooney belonged to a pub team in Meath. Pubs would play each other, then counties would play each other, etc. until a champion was crowned. Her team played a pub in Wicklow. I remember sitting by the coal and peat fire every night for months asking her questions on every possible category to prepare for the contest. I remember driving to Wicklow like it was yesterday, and I remember the many Irish coffees! They flowed freely that night and kept us awake.
Yours truly the night of one of the many pub quizzes.
County Wicklow is a county on the east coast immediately south of Dublin. Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland because of its scenery. The Wicklow Mountains are the largest continuous upland region on the island of Ireland; the highest mountain in the range is Lugnaquilla. The Wicklow Way is the oldest marked long distance walking trail in Ireland. The ancient monastery of Glendalough is located in County Wicklow. Glendalough, Irish for Glen of Two Lakes, is a glacial valley renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, a hermit priest, and destroyed in 1398 by English troops. It is a favorite tourist site with many of the churches, towers, and monuments reconstructed.
I remember the day we visited we noticed an Indian family because of their beautifully colored coats. We continued to see those coats across much of Ireland as they must have been following the same tour map as we. We even saw them the day we visited the Cliffs of Moher on the east coast of Ireland. If we had not admired their clothing, we would never have realized we were making the same journey over several days together. I remember we saw them at Powerscourt, the Waterford glass factory, in Kinsale, and at Blarney Castle as well as the cliffs. Powerscourt Estate, located near Enniskerry, is a large country estate which is noted for its house and landscaped gardens, today occupying 19 hectares (47 acres). The house, originally a 13th century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by German architect Richard Cassels, starting in 1731 and finishing in 1741. A fire in 1974 left the house lying as a shell until it was renovated in 1996.
The estate is today owned and run by the Slazenger family. It is a popular tourist attraction, and includes a golf course, an Avoca Handweavers restaurant, and a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. There is a very large tree on the estate, the largest I have seen other than redwoods. I wonder if it is still a prominent structure on the property. Many tourists had their picture taken if front of it including moi. Powerscourt waterfall and its surrounding valley are also owned by the Powerscourt estate, although the two pieces of land are no longer directly connected. At 121 meters, it is the highest waterfall in Ireland.
April 1985
Avoca Handweavers is a clothing manufacturing and retail business located in Avoca. It is the oldest working woolen mill in Ireland. It is also Ireland's oldest surviving business. Handwoven tweeds were produced and exported, including for use by Paris designer Elsa Schiaparelli. The material was also used for a waistcoat for King George VI and baby blankets for the children of Queen Elizabeth II. This is where we purchased many beautiful pieces of Irish tweeds, sweaters, hats, scarves. They truly produce quality Irish products. The only place we found that compared to the quality and price of Avoca Handweavers was a wonderful shop in Donegal.
In 1974, Donald Pratt, a solicitor engaged to handle the sale of the mill which then faced closure decided to buy it himself. Along with his wife, Hilary, a teacher, he set about getting Avoca Handweavers back on its feet. The Pratts began exporting handwoven rugs and throws to the UK and other countries. Managed now by two generations of the Pratt family, Avoca continues to develop with several large retail outlets around Ireland, in Belfast and Annapolis, Maryland. I'm lucky to have a sister who lives in Annapolis so I can continue to purchase these lovely products. Many of these also have large foodhalls and cafes attached as their food operations expand. The Avoca Cafe Cookbooks have proven to be popular bestsellers, inspired by Simon and Ivan Pratt.
County Wicklow is one of the most popular film-making locations in Ireland. Bray, in the north of the county, is home to Ardmore Studios, where many of Ireland's best known feature films, including John Boorman's Excalibur, Jim Sheridan's Oscar winning In the Name of the Father, and several Neil Jordan films have been shot. The BBC series Ballykissangel was also filmed in County Wicklow. Bray Jazz Festival, the county's premier arts festival event, takes place on the May bank holiday weekend each year. Wicklow is also home to a number of notable figures in literature, film, and music. There is so much to do in County Wicklow I could not possibly list everything here. It is definitely a county not to miss.
Here are some Irish whiskey recipes courtesy of drinksmixer.com. I hope you are able to find at least one that you can enjoy and warm you by a cozy hearth on a cold, winter's evening. The website is:
Ingredients:
12 oz. of strong hot coffee
1 T. of sugar
1 oz. of Jameson Irish Whiskey
Heavy cream
Directions:
Whip cream lightly, just until thickened and set aside. It should still pour but light enough to float on the coffee. Ideally, the cream layer will stay separate but will come off with the coffee, as it is drunk. Note that no sweeteners or flavors are added to the cream. (If preparing multiple servings, you might want to complete one and taste for sugar/whiskey balance before proceeding with the remainder.)
Place 1 tablespoon of sugar in each pre-warmed mug; then fill with coffee to about one inch from the top. Stir to dissolve sugar. The amount of sugar may need to be adjusted depending on taste, mug size, and type of coffee.
One mug at a time: add Jameson's with a quick stir, then immediately cover with approximately ½ inch of the prepared cream. The idea is to seal in the whiskey before the flavors and alcohol can begin to evaporate. Pouring the cream over a spoon held just above the coffee will help keep the cream and coffee from mixing. For larger mugs, 1½ oz. of Jameson's may be needed. Great alone anytime or served with shortbread cookies as a dessert. Serve in mug.
Simple Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
8 oz. of coffee
1 tsp. of sugar
1 T. of whipped cream
Directions:
Start with sugar in the empty glass. Next pour in the whiskey, followed by the coffee. Stir until sugar is dissolved, and let mixture settle. Float whipped cream on top and serve. Serve in Irish coffee cup or Irish coffee glass. I have a set of these that actually mark the level of each ingredient. What could be simpler. You can find these online and in Irish specialty stores. They are usually decorated with some Irish decor like shamrocks, leprechauns, the claddagh, or the shape of Ireland. Bailey's Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
8 oz. of coffee
2 oz. of Bailey's Irish Cream
2 oz. of half and half
1 tsp. of sugar
Directions:
Mix coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream with half and half. Add sugar and stir. Serve hot in an Irish coffee cup.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
1 tsp. of brown sugar
6 oz. of hot coffee
Heavy cream
Directions:
Combine whiskey, sugar, and coffee in a mug and stir to dissolve. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix. Serve in Irish coffee cup.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1½ oz. of Irish whiskey
6 oz. of coffee
1 oz. of brown sugar syrup
1 oz. of whipped cream
Directions:
Combine the whiskey, coffee, and syrup in an Irish coffee cup. Gently ladle the cream on top, and serve. Serve in Irish coffee cup.
Citrus Irish Coffee
4 strips of orange peel
4 strips of lemon peel
16 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tsp. of sugar
1/4 pint of Irish whiskey
3/4 pint of strong hot coffee
Powdered sugar
3 T. of whipped cream
Directions:
Stud the strips of orange and lemon peel with 2 cloves each, and place them in a frying pan or chafing dish with the stick of cinnamon and the 2 teaspoons of sugar. Place over moderate heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has melted. Pour the Irish whiskey into the pan and light a match to the liquid. (Be sure to step back since the flame will flare up instantly.) Shake the pan slowly until the flame dies out. Pour in the hot coffee all at once and let it come to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
Rub the cut edge of a strip of lemon peel around the inside of each the Irish coffee cup and dip it into a dish of powdered sugar so that the sugar adheres to the inside rim. Pour in the coffee, trying not to disturb the sugar. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve in an Irish coffee cup.
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