Thursday, August 30, 2018

Dingle and Inch





Dingle and Inch sounds like some new Disease, but it fact it is two lovely places outside the Ring of Kerry hugging the Atlantic Coast.  You can take the plethora of tour buses to this area if driving on the left, down terrifying narrow roads unnerves you or you can do like me and risk life and limb to do it myself. 

First stop was Inch beach. It is a lovely long beach that is soft on the feet but firm enough for cars to drive on it.  I think I am most definitely wrong, but Chariot's of Fire could have been filmed here.  I can envision the timeless scene as the men of British Olympic team waded through the surf like Greek Gods as they trained for the Summer Olympics.  Though on the chilly side, it was so peaceful and serene you barely noticed the briskness.   It was one of my favorite beaches I have been to in the British Isles. It was unspoiled and surrounded by marvelous hills that sprsng from the water.

We had a lovely walk along the beach and breathed in the salty sea air.  Not much does better for the soul than this.

Just down the coastline is the town of Dingle.  It is a well known tourist town but not too touristy if you know what I a mean.  They had a Michelin starred restaurant I wanted to eat at, but found it was bloody closed for lunch, even though they were purportedly open.  Very disappointing.  So we did what we always do when we have no clue where to eat; ask a local.





Irish Herb Crusted Lamb with Mint Salsa Verde

This dish will be featured in my "Pop Up "Slainte" Restaurant.  This recipe is not scientific so measurements are not exact.  It is to taste...

- Rack of Lamb preferably Irish (New Zealand, Welsh, English or Australian Lamb also fine)
- Season with Salt and Pepper and smear Chops in a Dijon Mustard
- Bread Crumbs- A cup or two pulsed finely in food processor
- Add Chopped Parsley, Chives, Salt Pepper and Lemon Zest
-  Combine ingredients and toast in nonstick pan with a 4-6 oz butter
-When the butter is incorporated and the bread crumb mixture begins to smell toasty remove to cool
-After cooling, pack mixture around the lamb chops and let rest
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Salsa Verde
- Chop equals amounts of parsley, basil, mint, chives and tarragon (about 1/2 a cup each)
- Take Jalapeno or Serrano pepper and remove seeds and finely mince.            - Zest a 1/4 cup of lemons
- Open a small Anchovies tin and place all ingredients in Blender
- Add 1/3 Cup of Lemon Juice
 - Blend ingredients 
Drizzle XV Olive Oil into blender until a nice sauce is formed
- Taste for more acidity, salt or pepper, or more XV Olive Oil 
Leave at room temperature

Place Herb Crusted Lamb in Oven in roasting pan - top rack preferably
Cook for around 20 mins until internal temperature reaches between 125-129 degrees.  Remove from oven.  Let rest for 5 minutes.  Cut chops two chops per portion.  Arrange on plate and serve Salsa Verde next to Lamb Chops

Bon Appetit