Missing Meatballs

Before coming to Ireland I heard all kinds of opinions about the food.  

Mainly that it is mostly beef and potatoes and bland tasting.

My grandmother especially did not care for the food the many times

she has visited.  I can still see here wrinkled nose and pursed lips as she

shook her head while describing to me the meals she endured. So, to say it nicely,

I didn’t have high hopes that I was going to love the food.  

But I have enjoyed most of what I’ve sampled so far.  Yes, some foods are prepared more

plainly than at home and there is a lot of mayonnaise which I’m not a fan of. And I have yet to be

served my favorite condiment, honey mustard sauce.  I guess that is not so popular here.

But I keep asking for it when I go out.

One of my favorite takeout places is called Jackie Lennox.  It looks like your average fast food place

from the outside but once you step through the  door the smell of good food hits you right in the face.

All in all, I guess it is fast food (they sure serve it fast) but they are known for their fish and chips.  

The first time my friend and I ordered there, we couldn’t believe how much food we got in a single order.

Fresh white fish (I’m not exactly sure what kind) is fried perfectly and dumped on a square of cut

packing paper along with a heap of what they call chips (fries) and sprinkled with salt and vinegar.  

The whole thing is wrapped up and served in a paper bundle. I’d say one order can feed 2 or

maybe 3 people. I’ve become a regular, but I ask them to hold the vinegar (it’s too sour for me!).

One thing I really do not like that the Irish serve a lot is the black pudding that they often have with

breakfast.  I can best describe it as a meat cake that reminds me of what I’d imagine dog food tastes

like. I looked it up after I tried it and I wish I hadn’t.  It’s made of pork blood and other waste parts

mixed with oats. Now does that sound appetizing?

I guess you could say the same about our Philadelphia scrapple, though.  It’s really tasty just don’t

read the ingredients. Fried and topped with ketchup, it’s one of my favorite special occasion breakfast

foods. Yum!  I do miss scrapple.

All in all, I think Irish food is more home cooking and less processed. You can buy most things from

the U.S.(under a different brand name) but it seems to me that meals are a little more healthy than

at home. Of course there is a McDonald’s in downtown Cork.  Still, the stews and chowders are

filled with meats and fish and vegetables that are so good for you. Even the side of brown bread

is probably better for you than the basic rolls you get at most restaurants at home.

There are a few dishes that I do miss from home.  I have yet to find Chinese takeout and I have

craving for some sesame chicken.  It will probably be one of the first things I order when I get back.

Yet, by far the food I miss most is my mom’s homemade meatballs. Yes, there are good Italian

restaurants here in Cork but none of the meatballs compare to those my mom makes by hand.

Drenched in marinara sauce and simmered all day on the stove, just the thought of them make

my mouth water.

My mom actually sent me the recipe along with the key spices she uses, but I haven’t made them.

There is something about how she makes them that I know I probably can’t replicate. Maybe it’s

the love she adds.

I do occasionally dream of sitting down with my family back home to a big pasta dinner complete

with those meatballs.  I’ll have to wait a little while longer. For now I’ll have to be content with

the excellent fish and chips that I’ll never get back home.

The Best Fish and Chips!