Feast or Famine - A Cultural Food Journey of the North West of Ireland, published by Guildhall Press, is not just a cookbook. It is a remarkable journey through the varied influences that have shaped the style of cooking that is unique to the neighbouring counties of Donegal and Derry. These two counties may have been separated by borders over the years, but they have evolved together like brothers down through the centuries.
"Not only is Irish food amongst the best in the world but our food heritage connects people and places across the globe" says Emmett. "This book offers a window into the past concerning the history of regional Irish food. It also builds positive community relations, conveying the story of our varied cultures through food heritage while renewing the passion and belief in local produce."
Chef Emmett has spent several years researching the history of food in the region and has uncovered ancient recipes, long lost cooking techniques and rediscovered long lost Irish treasures such as the Lumper Potato, which is now undergoing careful growing research to in Ireland to keep it from extinction. He has traced recipes from the time of the Viking settlers and the ancient Irish Chieftains, when venison, turnips, seaweeds, shellfish, fish and wild boar were everyday staple foods along with honey and rhubarb.
When the Scot-Irish emigrated to America, they took with them their distilling skills, producing whiskeys, bourbons and moonshine across all the United States. Fishermen from Inishowen in northern County Donegal, who settled in New England, helped found some of the finest and most successful fishing ports in the world today!
"Not only is Irish food amongst the best in the world but our food heritage connects people and places across the globe" says Emmett. "This book offers a window into the past concerning the history of regional Irish food. It also builds positive community relations, conveying the story of our varied cultures through food heritage while renewing the passion and belief in local produce."
Chef Emmett has spent several years researching the history of food in the region and has uncovered ancient recipes, long lost cooking techniques and rediscovered long lost Irish treasures such as the Lumper Potato, which is now undergoing careful growing research to in Ireland to keep it from extinction. He has traced recipes from the time of the Viking settlers and the ancient Irish Chieftains, when venison, turnips, seaweeds, shellfish, fish and wild boar were everyday staple foods along with honey and rhubarb.
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| This book is also beautifully photographed |
There are some significant business success stories that started from humble beginnings in the northwest of Ireland. McCains, based in Canada, are the largest French Fry maker in the world and their ancestors hailed from Castlefin in County Donegal. A Scots-Irish farmer, originally from Derry and who became the richest oil family in America was Samuel Getty. He also gave his name to the town of Gettysburg, the site of President Lincoln's famous address.
The McIlhenneys from Milford invented the now-famous hot sauce known as Tabasco! Also recalled are the heady days when Lough Swilly was the Herring capital of the world, Magilligan was a world leader in farmed Rabbits and Derry City was producing millions of gallons of whiskey for the US. The book is full of similar stories.
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| Lough Neagh Eel with Roasted Beetroot, Nuts, Celeraic in a Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil Dressing |
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Emmett has researched and re-developed almost 50 recipes for Feast or Famine and his journey has brought him to know some of the north west's greatest story-tellers, modern-day artisan food producers and chefs. The book is also beautifully photographed and is quickly becoming a research book of choice for many of Ireland's college departments of both catering and Irish history. The history and recipes reflect similar regional cooking all over Ireland.
Emmett McCourt's Wheaten Bread Recipe
(with Metric & US Cup measurements)
Ingredients (makes 1 medium loaf)
1 Cup/150g Plain Flour
1 Cup/150g Wholemeal Flour
1 Cup/100g Rolled (Porridge) Oats
1 tsp salt
2 tspn Baking Powder
2 tblsp/40g Butter
2 tblsp/40g Caster Sugar
1 Cup/250ml Buttermilk
(if you have no buttermilk, add juice of 1/4 lemon to ordinary milk - zack)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4/ 350°F. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper.
2. Stir the flours, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Rub the butter into the flour mixture.
3. Pour in the buttermilk and work the mixture to a thick, but not too soft, consistency.
4. Shape the dough and place on your baking tray. Pierce the centre, cut an "X" on top, 1/3 of the way through and sprinkle with a little more wholemeal flour.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. The bottom of the bread should sound hollow when tapped in the centre.
Feast or Famine - A Cultural Food Journey of the North West of Ireland is an amazing book that simultaneously educates the palate and the mind. It will become a must-have bookshelf addition for all who have a passion for Irish Food. It is available to purchase online from Guildhall Press at www.ghpress.com
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| Wheaten Bread cooking in a Griddle Pan over an open Turf Fire |
Emmett McCourt's Wheaten Bread Recipe
(with Metric & US Cup measurements)
Ingredients (makes 1 medium loaf)
1 Cup/150g Plain Flour
1 Cup/150g Wholemeal Flour
1 Cup/100g Rolled (Porridge) Oats
1 tsp salt
2 tspn Baking Powder
2 tblsp/40g Butter
2 tblsp/40g Caster Sugar
1 Cup/250ml Buttermilk
(if you have no buttermilk, add juice of 1/4 lemon to ordinary milk - zack)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4/ 350°F. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper.
2. Stir the flours, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Rub the butter into the flour mixture.
3. Pour in the buttermilk and work the mixture to a thick, but not too soft, consistency.
4. Shape the dough and place on your baking tray. Pierce the centre, cut an "X" on top, 1/3 of the way through and sprinkle with a little more wholemeal flour.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. The bottom of the bread should sound hollow when tapped in the centre.
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| Emmett Mc Court with Rene Redzepi of Noma Restaurant. Both chefs share the same commitment to preserving the history of a country's food provenance |
Feast or Famine - A Cultural Food Journey of the North West of Ireland is an amazing book that simultaneously educates the palate and the mind. It will become a must-have bookshelf addition for all who have a passion for Irish Food. It is available to purchase online from Guildhall Press at www.ghpress.com
The Irish Food Heritage Project are hosting the Official Launch of "Feast or Famine - A Cultural Journey of the North West of Ireland" at 11am on Tuesday 17th June, at the Titanic Quarter Campus of the Belfast Metropolitan College. This is going to be a culinary showcase with guest speakers, followed by a finger buffet lunch and book signing at the Linen Lounge Restaurant.
Get along and hear the story behind this amazing book and get your own signed copy while you're there!
For further info on the Launch contact Gavin Doran at Belfast Metropolitan College on:
gdoran at belfastmet.ac.uk
Zack.