After a long week of anticipating my husband’s visit, he arrived in Cork!  And wouldn’t you know it, he was wearing GREEN! I was beyond excited to welcome him to Ballymaloe. He and my roommate’s fiancé who was also visiting for the weekend, joined my roommates and I for our weekly “wine and cheese night”.  Lots of lively conversation, wine, cheese, and the remnants of my sourdough bread later, we started our weekend together.  I felt like a little kid showing off my mate around the Ballymaloe grounds, meeting my teachers, friends, and of course - the cows, chickens and gardens.  His visit here enhanced my experience in spades as he now has a definitive familiarity with my surroundings!

Rewinding back to the week’s happenings, I am excited to share my adventure of breaking down half a lamb with a filet knife and a saw! Together with my “lamb-mate” and under the expert tutelage of Phillip, the patient master butcher, I broke half a lamb down into neck, shoulder, shank, rack, leg and breast. I am looking forward to the next time I shop for lamb in Dallas! Can’t you just see the puzzled look on the butcher’s face next time I go to the meat counter and ask, “May I have half a lamb, please?”  You know I’ll do it!

Later in the week, my classmates and I took a field trip to several markets nearby.  Living in the country, it’s comical what passes for “nearby”!  We first went to the Mahon Farmer’s Market, and sampled artisan cheeses and pastries while perusing stalls offering everything from a delicious steak sandwich with foraged mushrooms, to freshly caught fish, charcuterie, and OConnaill’s Hot Chocolate - the finest cup of hot cocoa in these parts. It turns out that Darina Allen was one of the founding members of this farmer’s market, which is run today by her son-in-law, Rupert Hugh-Jones.  She remains vibrantly active in supporting its prevalence in the community.

Next stop was the Harty’s Oyster Farm, where, yes – I had my first raw oyster!  My brother-in-law called me out on this in disbelief – and admittedly, yes, that was my first one!  You see, I grew up absolutely despising the thought of eating anything that came out of the water.  It wasn’t until I dated a guy who was very fond of snorkeling and catching fish that I even thought to overcome my dislike for seafood.  He presented me one day with a beautiful halibut that he had caught and grilled himself, and out of politeness, I just smiled and ate the darn thing. Isn’t it amazing what love can make you do??? Well, Holy Geeez – one bite and I was hooked.  My love for trying fish has lasted ever since, thanks to those gorgeous blue eyes. (The eyes that belonged to my first love, that is….NOT the fish!)

But I digress!  Back to Harty’s Oyster Farm we go, and there I stood watching everyone clamoring for an oyster taste.  I found myself skulking backward until my classmate said to me, “…and you?”  Gulp.  My sheepish reluctance had been called out.  Well I wasn’t  going come to culinary school to turn up my nose at the new and unknown. So, going back to the halibut lesson of my youth, I decided to ‘be polite and just eat the darn thing’.  I realize that this all sounds so dramatic.  In my mind, laughably, it rather was!   After all, it’s just an OYSTER.  So 4-3-2-1 and down it went.  Lovely. Briny.  Lemony.  Quite nice!!! 

From there we went to Seagull Bakery which is owned and operated by Sarah Richards, an artist and a past Ballymaloe student. She started baking sourdough bread after completing the Ballymaloe course and began selling through farmer’s markets, eventually moving to a brick and mortar establishment.  Her motto is, “Created with Love, Crafted over time”, which I think is a beautiful testament to her skillful trade. I have met so many people on my food journey that have built fulfilling lives from the simple act of feeding others. The infectious joy they wear on their faces is a true inspiration.  How special it is to connect with others through something as nourishing and necessary as food?  Food is something that feeds our hearts and our inner selves.  It is a connection.  It’s history. Belonging.   

My friend Rachel Gaffney grew up in Cork, Ireland, and now lives in Dallas, Texas.  She has a quote by Oscar Wilde that quite defines her, “I have the simplest of tastes.  I am always satisfied with the best.”  I promise you, spend five minutes talking with her and you will feel inspired.  In addition to selling her beautiful Irish shortbread cookies to upscale markets in Dallas, she offers guided tours of Ireland, introducing people to the beautiful foods and treasures of her homeland.  Stop in and visit her website – you may just find yourself falling in love with Ireland and being called to explore this land for yourself!!  Call me, and I’ll join you!

As for my weekend visitor?  We spent Sunday happily palling around on a gorgeous sunny day, taking in the nearby sights, including The Ballymaloe House.  After a lovely dinner, our weekend came to an end and it was time to say goodbye.  I felt so loved to have had my sweetheart travel such a long distance to be with me for two days, and I am admittedly now feeling pretty homesick. I am not, however, wishing away my time here at Ballymaloe. If anything, I’m newly filled with gratitude to my family for helping me realize this crazy dream of mine.  

My “midterm” exams are coming up this week, and I am feeling pretty happy about things.  The exam is half technique and half salad and herb recognition. The final exam will include a ton more, however, I think this mini exam is just to whet our appetites – so to speak.   I’ll head over to the fishmonger tomorrow and purchase a flat fish and get a little more filleting practice, not to mention a tasty meal!

Here’s wishing you a lovely weekend.  Sending you joy from across the Irish Sea ~