Beef in Guinness; So we'll know them by their limping....

May those who
Love us, love us.

And those that
Don't love us
May God turn
Their hearts;

And if he doesn't
Turn their hearts
May he turn
Their ankles.

So we'll know them
By their limping.

There is a lot of Irish wisdom floating around this weekend: some sappy; some satirical.  But none embodies the true Irish spirit for me as much as this simple Irish poem.

"So we'll know them by their limping" - That just sums it all up nicely....

We lived in Ireland for a year.  Our house was a typical terrace or row house: two rooms deep by three floors high.  It was old.  The walls were two feet thick and it had recently been remodeled to add a kitchen and bathroom.  We were right across the water from Cobh harbor (pronounced 'cove') where over 2.5 million emigrants embarked for a better place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

I had a large ottoman snuggled into one of the window spaces on the second floor.  It fitted the space perfectly.  I would sit in my little nook, have my morning coffee, write in my journal and watch the world go by.

This is how I became aware of the daily activities of our next-door neighbor, Mickey.

Each day, around mid-morning, Mickey would leave his house with a small plastic bag.

He would slowly meander across the street, walk along the walls of the pier for a bit, then lean over and look across the water...gazing out to sea, as it were.  (Mickey had been a fisherman.)

When he stood back, the plastic bag was gone.

Then he would saunter over to the public outhouse and disappear.

About fifteen minutes later he would emerge and walk briskly back across the street to his house, morning chores complete.

We never saw Mickey's wife (although we heard her on more than one occasion). 

We assume she ran a tight ship and did not allow certain 'activities' in her immaculate house.  (Wha?  Shit inside?  In the house?  Not in my house, you don't!)

 

We only spoke to Mickey twice - not because he wasn't friendly, but because we couldn't understand him.

We assumed he was speaking Irish.  Wrong, again!

Apparently, the local speech in County Cork (pronounced 'cark') is considered totally unintelligible by Dublin standards.  After learning this, we paid closer attention and realized that Mickey was, in fact speaking English.

It was almost painful watching him make the effort to remember his grammar school lessons and form the words so we had a chance of understanding.

In the end, we just avoided each other: Mickey because (I think) he felt he couldn't properly articulate his words; us because we felt that, somehow, we should be able to understand this kind old man but were never able to.

We always smiled, waved and nodded like crazy at each other, though.  In our own ways we were good neighbors.    (partial reprint from post of March 2005)

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day Emiline, of Sugar Plum, is hosting a Pub Crawl.

In Ireland, even though St. Paddy's Day comes in the middle of Lent, (and the good Irish will 'take the pledge' - quit drinking for Lent) it's proper to down a pint for St. Patrick!

I always try to do my part...

Beef in Guinness

1 lb (450 gr) beef suitable for stewing or braising
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
3 carrots
1 bay (laurel) leaf
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 pint Guinness
2 tsp beef paste (or stock cube)
1 tbs oil
3 tbs cornstarch (maizena)
1 tbs paprika

Cut beef into 1" (2.5 cm) cubes. Cut onion into quarters, then slice thinly. Mince or press garlic. Cut carrots in half the long way, then into 1" (2.5cm) pieces. Combine paprika and cornstarch in a plastic food bag. Add beef and toss to coat evenly. In sauce pan large, enough to hold everything easily, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add beef and brown on all sides. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer at least an hour. If it starts to dry out, add more Guinness. If you would like the sauce thicker stir in 1 tbs cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbs water.
When ready to eat, remove bay leaf and serve with boiled jacket potatoes.

Emiline says she'll have a boozy reminisce of the pub crawl on March 20....

Sláinte mhaith!

Comments

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Katie this looks just perfect: photo & ingredients.
I promise to do my part too!
Mickey seems like a good neighbor as well.

[Lisa]

Oh, that beef looks divine! And I adore Guinness. Must tag and make soon.

I love "take the pledge"!

[Peter]

Katie, I'm glad I held off on doing this dish for the pub crawl as you've also done a bang-up job on it.

I still have some Guinnes around and I'll make my stew soon as well.

[núria]

Hola Guapa! I have such a good time with your stories!!! What a LIFE you've got up to date!! You've been everywhere!!!!
I'll try to make a recipe for Emiline Pub's Crawl too, see you there with a guinness in our hands! Cheers!

[Heidi]

That was a lovely story about neighbour Mickey. I've never been to Ireland, but it's on my list of places to see...in the summer, me thinks.

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Heidi

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

May the road rise up to meet you.... happy St. Patrick's Day. This stew looks like a perfect dish for celebrating.

[Kevin]

Beef braised in Guinness...mmm...

[Emiline]

First of all, I think this is the most interesting story I've read out of all of the entries, so you win extra points for that.
I can't believe his wife! That's mean.

Beef in Guinness sounds delicious. I'm sick of eating sweets all of the time. Bring on the meat!
Great job.

[Christine]

Gorgeous dish! I'm making a corned beef dinner for Mr CC tomorrow, not because he's Irish, but because he likes it. And I will use Guinness in the cooking of it.
I love your story of Mickey.

[cookiecrumb]

Ha ha! We all have a Mickey in our lives, I suppose, but not all of them are smuggling poop over bridges. Wild.
And your recipe sounds so tasty.

[Lynn]

Wonderful poem!

[Zoomie]

Lucky you to have lived in Ireland! I haven't been there yet but do hope to go soon!

[Michelle]

What a wonderful story! I love those old Irish sayings, too!

[Bellini Valli]

I'll have 2 scoops and a bottle of Guiness please Katie:D

[expatchef]

I like the instructions, "If it dries out, add more Guinness!" Heh. Most of us have to dry out after we've HAD too much Guinness.

We had a neighbor who used to walk the rural roads with one pant leg rolled up, carrying a bucket of manure. He wasn't quaint, he was just crazy.

[AJ]

Hey there! I just discovered your site and I am in grave danger of getting addicted to your writing. I have to try out some of the recipies too. I am sure they will be just as great!

[katie]

Tanna, glad to know you'll be holding your end up!

Lisa, it didn't seem like many took it seriously when we lived there hehehe!

Peter, great minds think alike! Can't wait to see yours...

Nuria, I'll save you a place! There is a rather special connection between the Irish and the Spanish. (I think it has to do with the English...)

Heidi, and a Happy one to you, too! Summer is best.

Lydia, Happy St. Paddy's Day to you... and may the wind be at your back..

Kevin, yeah, you braise with whatever you don't drink....or something like that.

Emiline, they were a hoot living next door... Ireland was very different 11 years ago.

Christine, be sure to down a bit yourself...

CC, he was a character - and everyone knew him.

Thanks, Lynn, and so Irish - at least to me!

Zoomie, I'd go back in a hearbeat if it wasn't so expensive now.

Michelle, and there are so many...all wonderful

Val, coming right up!

Expatchef, I think we had that guys brother in my home town.

AJ, thanks for the kind words and for leaving a comment. Hope you find something you like ;-))

[Betty C.]

Beef in Guinness sounds absolutely delicious.

It's funny, I haven't noticed anything about St. Patrick's Day in Rodez this year. Maybe it's because people never go out drinking on a Monday night...

[katie]

Betty, I don't think it's celebrated up here either. Besides, all the chocolate is out for Easter!

[Deb]

Better late than never! Happy St. Patty's Day Katie! We had Guinness but it never made it to the stew!
Love the Mickey story!!!!

[katie]

Thanks, Deb - and back at ya!
Happy Easter a few days early!