Holy cow, I’m behind on this whole blogging situation! I can’t believe it’s been three+ weeks in school already. The days fly by, and the evenings go even quicker! Plus, I’m still finishing up some design projects from before I left. I try to do as much exploring around as I possibly can when opportunities arise. If my friend Sheila offers a hike in the mountains or by the sea, I’m in! Or a day of TradFest (traditional Irish music, at different venues/pubs around Dublin City Center), I’m in!
Cookery school is quite intense. We still have 15 people in the class, but 10 of them will be leaving us after this week (no, they haven’t been voted off the island, those folks are only here for the first 4-weeks certificate program). I will be very sad to see them go, we’ve gotten to know each other fairly well, and they are all just gems.
So here’s what we’ve been cooking, and some other photos of my adventure since I’ve been here. Oh, and thanks so much for all the sweet comments on my last post. I love to see notes from you. Sure makes it seem like I’m not as far away.
Bread Day
We had a guest tutor, Rossa, for Bread Day. He has a specialty bakery in town, but only serves restaurants right now. I sure hope he opens a retail space before I leave. He had a wonderful manner about him, a perfect personality for bread making — a pure master of the art.
Not every day has a theme, but the salads and veg of this day were some of the best! Who doesn’t love a good tart too!
Eggs-ellent Day (sorry, just had too)
Egg day was next. And boy did we eat a lot of eggs. We made quiches, learned the proper way to poach an egg (high sided pan, and swirl the water before adding the eggs to the whites stay together…) Eggs really are the perfect food.
Fishes
Then came more fish and sauces. I think my favorite dish to date is the Japanese Consommé with Japanese Vegetables, so clean and fresh tasting.
Our tutor also made Gravlax the day before (salted salmon). We ate it with homemade brown bread. Some Raspberry and Oat bars (sounds healthier than they were, but sure were tasty!) topped off the day.
Northern Italiano
We went to northern Italy the next day for some interesting pork (the tutor said it was okay for the milk in the dish to curdle, hmmmm). I don’t have photos of everything we made, but here’s a recap.
Celebrity Happy Pear siting!
My dear friend Sheila and I spent a Saturday afternoon hiking along the sea from Greystones to Bray. Before we got on the trail, we stopped at the famous Happy Pear in Greystones. I’ve been following these guys on Insta for a while, and they are featured in a few cooking programs I’ve watched. They are quite the sensation around here. Anyhooties, we were leaving for our hike, walking down the street, and who do we see coming towards us but one of the twins!
Thanks again so much for reading and coming along on my adventure. Let me know what you think of the posts, what more you’d like to see, and any questions you may have. It’s been such an amazing few weeks!
Loved reading about all the various dishes you made! Looks amazing!
All good, Shelagh. Keep ‘me coming! I’m living vicariously! ☘️
It looks like you are in your happy place!! And bread cannot be one of your weaknesses! and since when do you drink whiskey? Glad you’re having so much fun.
Love your recaps if your experiences. Can you share the recipe for the Irish Brown Bread that you mentioned? I traveled with your Cuz, Joanne in Ireland last fall and fell for the brown bread. Continue your great bligs🇮🇪❤️
Just seeing the food that you are making makes my mouth water. And seeing the countryside also. How fun!! That cauliflower sounded great. Like in Milton is cold and snowy this week but since it is the end of January we know that Spring is close. Had a quilting weekend with friends. Like you, doing what I like and with like minded friends.
Love, Mary Kay
So wonderful to read your posts. What an adventure you’re having.
Outstanding , Shelagh. Everything you made looks so inviting. And colorful. And delicious.
Love seeing the dishes and hearing the details of what you’re making She! Looking forward to our adventure this weekend! 😘Sheila
Aside from some the obvious goal of becoming an even better cook, what other goals do you have for yourself on this epic three-month adventure? If that’s too personal, just let me know. Or if you’d prefer to share when you get back home I would love to get together.
Cheers, friend.
I look at your posts and get very hungry. So while you are cooking I am here eating> I will add the food I am eating truly looks nothing like the food you are making. Great post so happy you are there.
Yummy!!
I am living vicariously through you! What an adventure! I will gladly be one of your testers when you try this back home. ❤️☘️
So jealous of your experience ! Just want to know if you’ve taken part in “Swimrise” yet?!?
Love reading all about your adventures — culinary and otherwise. That photo of you and Sheila is too cute.
Loving all of this Shelagh!
Every dish looks AMAZING! Mouth watering pictures-I keep wanting to tap on them or “heart” them. 😉 What a great opportunity and it looks like you are enjoying every minute of it!