Check out the following article to see why Minnesota is a national leader in the food and culinary industry

http://www.usfoods.com/Food/WorldOfFlavors/News/GoodTaste.aspx

Charcuterie in the Twin Cities

I have had the great experience of delving into many Charcuterie plate in the twin cities. It is difficult to chose a number one but the following place rank very high. The Sample Room, NE Social Club, Any of the Cara Irish Pub locations including The Local, Kieran's, Cooper and The Liffey...how many have I missed, Please let me know your suggestions. The photo here is from The Liffey in downtown St. Paul. The meats are by "Green Ox Meats"...wow...great stuff. www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Ox-Meat-Co/156125764442867

Phrase of the week

"A day without wine is a day without sunshine" John T Byrne

Traditional Food in Ireland!

So what is my favorite food when I make it back to Ireland?  Well over the past week of the Christmas and New Year I have had my brussel sprouts, potato in many ways and of course the rashers and sausages. No breakfast would be complete with brown bread baked fresh daily.  No preservatives in this loaf!  But the best is yet to come.  Traditional lamb dinner tomorrow eve...recipes are coming!

The Gaelic Gourmet and Charity

It was a dark snowy night...Last Saturday eve when the snow was up to my eyeballs I ventured across town to prepare a fantastic meal for eleven house guests and a holiday party.  I donated my expertise for an evening to benefit a local charity.  Win-win for everyone involved.  What a feast it was.  We had fire in the pan...a real chef type thing an incredible meal and some great company.  I will be posting a photo or two of our event and the details...yes photos and a recipe perhaps.

Now where did that camera go...what a snowbank!

Merry Christmas!

I will soon be blogging from the Emerald Isle! Check back for some tips and trends this week that will make your holiday entertaining...errrr...Entertaining!

Wishing you all fantastic shopping and of course a blessed season!

The Gaelic Gourmet,
John T. Byrne

When ordering at a restaurant...

When I order a lovely meal at an eating establishment I read the menu. I look for clues into how the food is prepared, how the side dish or sauce will taste. Will I have a new experience? Have I created something as savory as I am about to eat? All of these thoughts flood my mind when I peruse the menu. Opening a menu is to me opening up a great book! I am ready for the story, the action, the plot thickening and the culmination...dessert!

Now, let's take a look at my wife. She sees a menu without pictures and we're in trouble. Now don't get me wrong. She loves good food and will be the first to mention if something is fabulous or a flop. She just likes pictures. Thank you to all the wonderful food stylists that make everything look great, appetizing and build our expectations. The challenge...the end result rarely resembles, remotely the meal.