The connection between Irish and Arabic cultures has existed through its languages and food, especially Ireland’s shift to meat from wild berries and vegetables, pointed out chef Anna Haugh as she churned out caramelised Swede and honey soup along with baked bean can soda bread at the “Irish Classics” cookery session during the 43rdSharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) underway in Expo Centre Sharjah.
While giving tidbits of information about her country and its cuisine, the Irish chef, restaurateur and TV personality began the soup preparation with chopped swede, a root vegetable akin to turnip. After frying the swede in butter, she stirred in chopped garlic followed by honey. It was then boiled in water for 10 minutes before adding in milk and cream. The chef reminded that the Irish love to puree their soup as she cooled the mixture and poured it into a blender. Tempering spices is very important in Irish cuisine, Haugh noted, as she garnished the soup with toasted sesame seeds, cumin seeds and chopped hazelnuts.
Simultaneously, she set about baking the bread in small tins though traditionally in Ireland it is made as one big loaf. Using salted butter, wholemeal flour, baking powder, demerara sugar, egg, salt, buttermilk and bicarbonate of soda, she prepared the dough and filled it in the tins. Ours is not a yeast-based bread, the chef said as she pointed out another connection between Irish and Arabic culture – the use of yoghurt or buttermilk in cooking. The bread was baked at 200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Once it was cooled and sliced, it was given as an accompaniment for the soup. The delicious soup received positive reviews from the women and children gathered around.
As many as 47 live cooking sessions led by 17 international chefs from 13 countries are being held at SIBF 2024. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme ‘It Starts with a Book, the 12-day cultural extravaganza will welcome prominent Emirati authors and intellectuals. SIBF 2024, which will present a comprehensive programme of 600 workshops for various age groups, will run until November 17.