Funny Irish Food!

There is a town in Northern Ireland called Ballycastle in Country Antrim where I was taken as a small boy for a special treat. Ever since 1612, Ballycastle has hosted a special ‘Irish’ event – The Auld Lammas Fair. It is held every year on the last Monday or sometimes, Tuesday of August and is associated with the Lammas harvest festival.

The four things I remember most about my visit there were, all the various stalls, people riding in horse & trap, Yellowman and Dulse. No doubt the last two will need some explaining ...

Yellowman is simply a type of toffee to which sodium bicarbonate has been added so that it is full of honeycomb bubbles when it is boiled and set. It has a unique taste and it is such a long time since I have tasted it. I recently found a recipe for it – try it!

However the main reason for my introduction is to acquaint you with Irish Dulse – which is a type of edible seaweed, more commonly known in Ireland as Dillisk. It is a red/purple coloured algae usually found on the rocks around the northern shores of Ireland. It is usually eaten (by Irishmen anyway) in its raw, semi-dried form as a snack. Indeed it contains all essential vitamins and minerals as well as being high in protein - up to 20% - see this nutritional guide

It can easily ordered on-line from such companies as http://www.seaweg.co.uk/ and I always have a bad of dulse on my desk to both keep may brain on max power and to remind me of home. Dulse can be used in many recipes so here is one which is truly Irish – Irish Soda Dulse Soda Scones – try this as well. And while you are at it, also take a look at our sonic horns web site for some material flow problem solving inspiration!