To celebrate the publishing of the book The Country Cooking of Ireland by Colman Andrews, we have one of the books to give away and also for Foodfight readers we have a recipe from the book for you. The competition is after the recipe.
Watercress and Almond Soup
Serves 4
The late cookbook author Theodora FitzGibbon adapted the recipe for this unusual and delicious soup from “a handwritten recipe book, 1735”; she doesn’t specify the family name or country. She does note, though, in her indespensable Irish Traditional Food, wherein her version appears, that “Almonds were immensley popular in richer homes in 18th century Ireland. They were not only used for cakes and puddings, but also with meats, fish, vegetables and in soups.” Watercress is a far more ancient food in Ireland, eaten since prehistoric times.
- 1 cup/240 ml Milk
- 1 cup/ 240 ml Heavy Cream
- Rind of 1 lemon, in 1 piece if possible, pith removed
- 1/2 cup/ 40 g Ground Almonds
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 cups/ 300g Minced Celery Heart
- 2 tbsp White Flour
- 2 1/2 cups/ 600 ml Chicken Stock
- Salt and White Pepper
- 2 Bunches Watercress, Trimmed
Combine the milk and cream in a small saucepan over high heat. Add the lemon rind and almonds. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside to infuse for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium pot over low heat, add the celery, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Add the stock in a slow, steady stream, stirring constantly, and cook for about 5 minutes, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens.
Strain the infused milk into the stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the watercress and continue to cook for 6 to 8 minutes more.
Puree the soup in a food processor or blender. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve hot or cold.
Competition:
To win the book, leave an answer to the following question in the comments: Is it beef or lamb that is the meat in Irish stew?
Those with the correct answer will be added to a draw and the winner will be randomly selected.
My sources tell me its Lamb
February 8th, 2010 at 12:11 pm #It’s Lamb.
Thanks
February 8th, 2010 at 12:11 pm #It’s lamb,
cheers
February 8th, 2010 at 12:21 pm #Lamb. Lovely lovely lamb.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:20 pm #Lamb…. yummy, just right at this time of year, I always throw in a few necks, really great flavour!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:45 pm #It be Lamb. Thanks.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:09 pm #lovely lamb
February 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm #I would rather be wrong but individual –
As every American knows a
“real Oirish stew has gotta be corned beef and cabbage, buddy”
February 9th, 2010 at 2:24 pm #Lamb!
Thanks
February 9th, 2010 at 2:25 pm #Shur is guess it would be Lamb
February 9th, 2010 at 2:32 pm #Lamb!
Cheers
February 9th, 2010 at 2:37 pm #Its Lamb – same as in shepards pie
thanks
February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 pm #Its lamb! Thanks, Graham
February 9th, 2010 at 4:05 pm #LAMB
February 9th, 2010 at 6:00 pm #lamb for the lovely stew!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:11 pm #it is most definitely lamb, what could possibly be better?
February 9th, 2010 at 10:42 pm #It’s beef. Only joking! LAMB.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:53 am #Lamb of course…
February 10th, 2010 at 12:32 pm #Baaaaa – Lamb.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:39 pm #Without a doubt – you cant use anything other than lamb…. mind you there was a time that only mutton would do,
February 11th, 2010 at 9:38 am #LAMB
February 11th, 2010 at 5:59 pm #Me thinks it’s lamb!
February 12th, 2010 at 3:57 am #It’s Lamb.Yum yum.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:32 pm #lamb
February 14th, 2010 at 7:19 am #Answer: lamb
February 15th, 2010 at 9:24 pm #bah! bah!
Lamb. Kathy likes lamb. Laaaamb.
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:28 am #Lamb
February 24th, 2010 at 5:34 pm #LAMB BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SO TENDER CARROTS POTATOES A GREAT CHOICE FOR A STEW
February 25th, 2010 at 4:40 pm #Lamb for sure
February 26th, 2010 at 11:33 pm #Lamb
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 pm #Its lamb,lamb,lamb
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 am #It’s Lamb all the way
March 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pm #Lamb!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:41 pm #