Labour Day! Food Appreciation post

So tomorrow is labour day, which means I am off from classes and I get to eat some delicious barbecue. I would then like to dedicate this post to the food I had eaten when I was abroad in Europe. It was delicious and I cannot wait to return to eat them again!

Ireland:

Fish and Chips

The cheaper version of Bailey's that we had nicknamed Failey's (Fake Bailey's). It was delicious! I wish I had brought a bottle with me

Corned beef with 4 different kinds of potatoes and cabbage from O'Neilly's near Trinity College

Cheesecake and Ice cream with raspberry syrup

Nando's- I want to go back, I wish I had a one near me! It was grilled chicken with mango sauce, garlic bread and coleslaw

I don't have pictures of these but other things to try when visiting the Emerald Isle: Bulmer's Cider, Galway Hooker (a light beer), Irish breakfast (black and white pudding with bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms and beans). Something else I tried was Apple Cider soda; thought it would taste similar to ginger ale. I was extremely incorrect and it was disgusting.

UK:

Fowey, Cornwall- Tea, Scone with jam and clotted cream

Fowey, Cornwall- Cornish pastry

Tintagel, Cornwall  - Coffee with a scone

Tintagel, Cornwall - Cornish crab sandwich, chips and salad

London - An Arab restuarant called Maroush. There is lamb meat on hummus, salad, rice, pitas, and a vegetarian dish that had garbanzos, tomatoes and other veggies.

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British Scones

Now I have been craving these delicious treats and since American scones are not the same I decided to use my baking skills to make them. They turned out fantastic. I used this recipe but I did deviate from it a little bit because I like to spice things up or call it my own.
http://britishfood.about.com/od/eorecipes/r/fruitscones.htm

The only changes I made was I used golden raisins, added vanilla extract and almond extract. This is the recipe that was used and then I also made changes that I added into the original recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 2 cups plain all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 cup  fine sugar
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg beaten with a little milk
• 3 drops each of vanilla extract and almond extract
  
  
  

Preparation:

• Heat the oven to 400F
• Generously grease a baking sheet with butter then sprinkle with flour.

• Sieve the flour into a roomy baking bowl, add the cubed butter, the baking powder and salt. Quickly rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

• Add the sugar, the dried fruits, vanilla and almond -  mix well. 
• Make a well in the center and using a dinner knife, stir in enough milk to make a soft, pliable dough.If the dough is too sticky sprinkle with a little flour.

• Turn the mixture on to a floured board and knead very lightly until just smooth then lightly roll out to 3/4" thick.

• Cut rounds with a 2" cutter or cut into triangles with a sharp knife or use cookie cutter of your own choosing.

• Place on the baking tray and brush with the beaten egg and milk mixture. Bake near the top of the hot oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and well risen.

• Cool on a wire rack before eating.

Serve with butter, or lashings of jam and cream. Delicious.

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Fowey, Cornwall, UK

The day after Tintagel I made my way over to Fowey which is on the southern portion of the county. It is a seaside town that is mountainous and was gorgeous. It is pronounced 'Foy', the family I stayed with had to correct all of my pronunciations. Fowey is a town that survives on tourism which as apparent to me because I grew up in a tourist location.

The reason for my visitation was the Tristan stone, which stands 3 miles outside of town. Luckily I had my hiking boots.

The Tristan stone, according to legend this is where he is buried and this is his tombstone. The second photo has the inscription written in 6thc letters but when translated says "Tristan here lies of Cunomorus the son". Cunomorus is King Mark.

Fowey the seaside town

Stopped into a local eatery and had an English delicacy with a Cornish flair. Tea, fruit scone, jam and clotted cream. Clotted cream is much like butter.

Cornish pastry:  YUM, it was shredded beef with veggies.

Walking around the town

View to the bay from a higher point in town, there is hardly any vehicle access around town so one must walk everywhere. My thighs were burning after this trip because of how steep it was.

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Tintagel, Cornwall, England

This is a small town in the Northern part of Cornwall County. Tintagel which is pronounced Tint-a-jel is surrounded in legend. According to many legends this is where King Arthur was born also where the famed lovers Tristan and Isolde lived. According to legend they are buried near the town.

The castle is surrounded by sea which is a strong fortification from invaders. The town is from the Cornish word Dintagel which means 'fort of constriction'.

The old post office in town which dates from the 14th century

The walk to the castle (Tintagel Castle). It is extremely steep. You should be somewhat fit to be trekking on foot around here

Ruins of Tintagel Castle

The steep staircases that are used to climb the two islands that make up the castle. There is a footbridge that connects the two parts. Lots of stairs and climbing. Be sure to bring lots of water and have some level of fitness.

View to the other island as seen from the castle

Some staircases that are on the island

The medieval gardening area, where the ladies of the court would have gardened.

The castle's chapel

The main hall of the castle which was on the highest point.

Merlin's cave

Cornish crab sandwich, chips and a salad

Found this jewel in a local pub while waiting for my bus

The island containing portions of the castle and its lands from the Camelot Hotel

The portion of the castle that isn't part of the island- contains the main hall and gatehouse.

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