Sunday, March 13, 2011

The Day of the Kilts


We aren't quite sure, but we doubt there is little to no
Irish in our heritage... however, with names like Heath and
White, who knows??? But my father had an affinity for bagpipes and kilts.  'Drove my Italian mother crazy out of her mind  playing his bagpipe records. My father loved this picture taken while on furlow during WW II. As you can see the picture was taken in Scotland. He was always a little embarrassed that he was wearing his Army-issue boots with his kilt. We loved to tease him about his knees showing and wearing a "skirt" but he took it good-naturedly and I enjoyed the twinkle in his eyes. What I believe he saw in the wearing of the kilt were actual warriors of a by-gone era.
Strong men who never feared battle.
That would be my father.
*
When my father passed away in October of 2008 I was determined that he would have a bagpiper at his funeral. He would escort my father's casket in and out of the church and then to the cemetery. He would have loved it!
I know he did.
*
Wednesday we will celebrate the "wearing of the green" and
we will eat Colcannon.
Believe me... here in deep south Texas it is difficut to find much that is Irish here, so what I know is only from research. This recipe is from a Tyler Florence show from several years ago. I have prepared this twice for church and it's been a hit both times.

*

Colcannon
Tyler Florence

3 lbs. potatoes, scrubbed
2 sticks butter
1 1/4 cups hot milk


Freshly ground black pepper


1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded
1 (1-pound) piece ham or bacon, cooked the day before
4 scallions, finely chopped
Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish


Directions
Steam the potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel them using a knife and fork. Chop with a knife before mashing. Mash thoroughly to remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick of butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring all the time. Season with a few grinds of black pepper.


Boil the cabbage in unsalted water until it turns a darker color. Add 2 tablespoons butter to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning it to the pan. Chop into small pieces.


Put the ham in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat and chop into small pieces.

Add cabbage, scallions, and ham to mashed potatoes, stirring them in gently.


Serve in individual soup plates. Make an indentation on the top by swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon of butter into each indentation. Sprinkle with parsley.



Colcannon

***


I have found a new friend, Kathleen, who has inspired me to post the very little
that I know about being Irish.
Jig on over for her

St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl

You'll be wearin' the GREEN
and joining in on the blog crawl for sure!

also

Check out


at
Holiday Haven

I believe in the sun when it's not shining
I believe in love even when I feel it not;
I believe in God even when he is silent.
                                                                     an Irish Toast

Update: Our First Real Irish Dinner
Yes, and it was cooked by a real Irish lassie!
We were invited to our friends' home for corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes. She also served green cake!
It was so delicious. And y'all will surely laugh about this...
we poured vinegar over the cabbage.
Who knew?
Well,  Irish do!
Thanks, to our dear friends.





30 comments:

Sonia said...

Hi Karen,

So nice of you to visit..I love meeting new people! Oh how I love anything to do with Scotland..some day we want to go with our three sons! What a great picture of your Dad! I was an Air Force brat and loved traveling the globe! Your blog is lovely!

Miss Bloomers

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Karen''
Thank you for becoming a follower of my blog! I am now also following you. :)
I loved the music playing with this post and the wonderful photo of your Dad! Yes, I think he loved hearing the bagpipes play him into heaven.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

bj said...

What a sweet post. I just know your twinkling-eyed dad would have loved "your kilt should be short enuf to dance a jig but long enuf to cover your Lucky Charms." :)))
Happy St. Patrick's Day,
bj

Lynn said...

Great pic of your Dad! Your dinner sounds very good-enjoy:@)

Unknown said...

YUM-Karen! We always serve Colcannon with our corned beef and cabbage :)

Blessings!
Gail

Maggie said...

Lovely post Karen, your Dad sure had a twinkle in his eye, skirt or no skirt!
After a trip to Dingle, Ireland a few years back my DH & I are big fans of colcannon and it's often on the menu here.

Betty said...

What a wonderful story about your parents. Thank you for sharing.

Nancy's Notes said...

What a wonderful photograph of your daddy in his kilt, yes, his eyes twinkled! Oh my, what a recipe, looks like a real keeper!

Hugs,
Nancy

Slice of Pie Cookbooks and Entertaining said...

Love the photograph! Sounds like your daddy was quite a guy ... The men in that generation were special. Thanks for sharing.

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Beautiful post Karen...I know that picture of your dad is precious to you....I loved the memories you shared about your dad and how he loved the kilts. Thanks for sharing your Irish recipe...
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you :)
Big hugs,
Queenie

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

I have never heard of this but it does sound SO Irish!! My father's family was from Ireland, and my middle daughter was born on St Patrick's day - needless to say I have a soft spot in my heart about anything Irish!! I can't wait to make this!

Karen said...

Wonderful memories. Very nice post :)

Foley said...

What a great picture to have!! He looks like he was in his height of glory.
I love the sounds of bagpipes..would never drive me......

GardenOfDaisies said...

Love the picture of your father in the kilt!! Yes, I agree, he loved having the bagpiper at his funeral. You are a good daughter. You made the perfect choice for him. I love colcannon! (I put leeks in mine.)

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Grand photo! He was a handsome young man! The recipe looks very tasty too! Wishing you well! Cathy

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Such wonderful memories of your dear handsome father! I always wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland, I find it to be so beautiful and interesting places.
Enjoy your dinner, it sure sounds deli! Thank you for sharing.
I'm also a follower. Your welcome to visit me and my St. Pat's table.
Wshing you a great St. Patty's Day!
FABBY

Kristin said...

hello dear girl!! SO glad you found me so i could find you!! :0)
*love* your blog!!

prairie XO
kristin

Vicki said...

Hi, Karen. So nice to meet you! What a sweet post. I love the picture of your Dad. I've never had colcannon. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Just had really good crockpot cornbeef and cabbage. Love it with some horseradish! Beautiful blog and I recognized Karen V.'s work right away. I see you collect many of the same things that I do. I'm planning on hosting a monthly collection party. Karen is working on the button soon. I hope you'll join us. Beautiful blog you have. I"ll be back to visit again soon.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Your colcannon looks so yummy! I love the picture of your father in a kilt! My father also served in the Army in the European theatre during WWII and I have a very similar picture of him in a kilt too also taken in Scotland als It has always been a favorite of mine. There is something about those brave young soldiers wearing a kilt. Joni

Kathleen said...

Hi Karen,
I loved that story. My bil is a piper, so I know what you mean about the noise!
I am so glad you joined in the party, and your recipe sounds delicious!
Now you have a Cinco de Mayo party and I am there! :)
Thanks again!

Marlis said...

What a truly lovely gesture you did for your dad. His eyes are smiling on you I just know it. No joke it's hard to find Irish in Texas! Except for maybe San Antonio and they turn the river green. I think there is an Irish pub in the Hilton there - Dirty Nellie's???

I'm delighted you dropped in and left your kind ocmments. Makes my day to meet another new blogneighbor!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

What a great picture! I had to laugh out loud about the army boots. lol
I really need to do some research on my Irish background.
Hope your have a great week
Love
Maggie

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, I am so tickled you found my blog. I loved this story about your Father and how he aggravated your Italian Mom. Love your blog and hope to see more of you. Have a wonderful week and Happy St. Patricks Day. xo

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

What a precious photo. Your dad was so cute! A wonderful gesture to have bagpipes at his funeral. Touching.

I don't have much Irish in me either but have made colcannon and enjoyed it :) My mom was born on St Patrick's Day so it is kind of special to her.

Kindly, Lorraine

Lizabeth said...

Hi Karen- Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yours is beautiful..love your recipe! I should try that tomorrow as I haven't made any plans yet for dinner! I thought that was Gene Kelly for a minute when I looked at your Dad's picture! Have you ever seen him in Brigagdoon? What a lovely tribute you paid your father with the Bagpipes! My father wanted a 21 gun salute but my mother didn't get god guidance and it didn't happen. Looks like your Dad was a lot of fun! Love the pic of him holding your mother! Happy St. Patricks Day!
Liz

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I love seeing the picture of your Dad. My sons all wore kilts at their brother's wedding and loved it. They're all Scottish on their Dad's side. They're all into the Braveheart thing! Ha!

gail said...

this recipe sounds wonderful-I will definately make it!
and I love the Irish toast....both the recipe and toast and not familiar to me, so thank you! and thank you for following me!
gail

Kuki... said...

How festive...and the photo is priceless!

Julie Harward said...

YUM to the Irish dinner and I love the picture of your dad! My g.great grandfather came from Scotland, no wonder I love bagpipes and those kilts! ;D

Jessa said...

Wow what a beautiful tribute. Thanks so much for adding this lovely memory and recipes to the party!