Friday, March 15, 2019

WITH A NICK NACK PADDY WHACK!




I’m sure St. Paddy was still a greenhorn when he came rolling home and gave the dog a bone, or when he played nick nack on the drum, door, shoe, and on the poor old hen.  The hen was just trying to lay an egg, for heaven’s sake!  

Once he’d settled back in Ireland Paddy’s excuse for waving  his staff about (as in walking stick, not employees) was to banish snakes from the top of the hill while fastidiously trying to fast. My walking stick is handy for many purposes other than what it’s meant for, too.  If I come across a snake on the hill I hobble past fast, or backtrack and give it a whack.  

A few fibs surrounded Paddy.  No doubt to glamorise his exploits; to make him appear more interesting in the years before Fake News and social media. By adding a few bells, whistles and colourful streamers to one’s activities and character, the interest of others is immediately aroused.

Delving into historical evidence Ireland never had snakes of the slithering, reptilian kind.  Paddy probably waved his wand around for the fun of it. 

Young Paddy didn’t wear glasses, but he could have been short-sighted.  Optometrists were non-existent in the Fifth Century.

Paddy mistook the Druids, members of the high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic cultures, for snakes. It was the Druids he drove out of Ireland – by foot. No motor vehicles were used to achieve the feat. Henry Ford hadn’t yet appeared on the scene.  The Model A Ford had not even hit the assembly line, let alone the Model T!

On their way to England, Irish pirates battled a turbulent Irish Sea. In a display of grand sailing ability, they managed to dodge the Isle of Man. 

(It’s a wonder in these days of political-correctness, gender neutrality, the #MeToo blustering etc., someone hasn't complained, demanding the name of the Isle of Man to be changed to “Isle of Woman”...or “Isle of Someone or Other”)!

The intention of the brigands of the waterways, other than plundering and looting, was to join Captain Jack Sparrow over a barrel or two of rum, as well as a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” of the jovial, verbal kind.  Unfortunately, having docked shortly after Jack had set sail for the Caribbean, they missed him by “that much”.
  
Proof timing is everything - even back then in the wild old days - Paddy strolled by with his shillelagh under his arm and a twinkle in his eye the very moment of their docking.

The blustering buccaneers nabbed the unsuspecting lad, and whisked him off back to Northern Ireland. 

Many years later, Paddy became the first bishop of Armagh - and first Primate of Ireland (not of the simian kind)....more about the lad's achievements after my digression below...

My paternal grandparents came from Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.  My grandma, a lady of orange leanings – it could be the reason why I love oranges so much - switched to green to satisfy her soon-to-be in-laws and their kin.  In the early 1900s the couple emigrated to Australia to begin a new life. They settled in Rockhampton, central Queensland...a town/city that sits comfortably on the Tropic of Capricorn. 

Once comfortably settled, there they had six children, one of whom fathered my late brother and me. I’m an eclectic mix of Irish and Scottish Highlanders. No relation to Paddy, or simians - that I’m aware of... 

Raised by our mother and her mother, our Nana...my brother and I attended the Scots Church...the Presbyterian Church...when we were children.  We often did go in search of four-leaf clovers...and may have even found one or two...or pretended we did!

Not one to squander time, Paddy put his six years of captivity in Ireland to good use while he waited to be returned to England.

Voices in his head - not caused by smoking shamrocks - told him he should change his habits. Upon release, he headed eastward and once again crossed the Irish Sea to his homeland. 

Paddy wandered around Old Blighty for a few years, but the voices in his head were relentless - insistent he return to the Emerald Isle. 

Over there the reclusive, mischievous little leprechauns in their green suits and top hats had become Paddy’s confidants; his best friends.  They’d spent countless hours in search of four-leaf clovers.  Three-leaf shamrocks were of no interest to Paddy and his mates.

Way before the Vikings looted and plundered Ireland in the 9th Century, Paddy and his sprightly little friends sought pots of gold at the end of rainbows. They never divulged their successes to inquisitive others.  Poetic licence applies.   

Happy St. Patrick’s Day - 17th March....


Orange Apricot Irish Soda Bread: Preheat oven, 190C.  Line a baking tray. Add 2c plain flour, 2c whole wheat flour, 2tbs sugar, 1tsp baking soda and 1-1/2tsp salt in bowl of mixer with paddle attachment; mix on low speed; add 4tbs cold unsalted butter cut into 1cm cubes; mix on low until completely mixed into dry ingredients; use your fingers if necessary. In a jug, use fork to beat 1-3/4c cold buttermilk, 1 egg and zest of 1 orange; slowly add to dry ingredients on low speed; mix until just combined. Toss 1c chopped dried apricots in 1tbs flour; mix into dough on low speed until just combined.  Dough will be very wet. Pour out onto well-floured surface; sprinkle with flour. With floured hands, knead a few times into shape of round loaf. Place on lined tray. Cut a small “X” into centre. Bake 45-55mins; cool on wire rack.

Paddy’s Pesto Prawns: Process 2c thawed peas, 1c basil leaves, 6 garlic cloves, 1c parmesan, 1/3c olive oil, 1tbs lemon juice, 1/2c chick/veg stock; season. Cook 454g penne pasta; drain. Heat 1tbs olive oil in pan; add 350g green prawns, 1 sliced yellow capsicum; then 1/2c sliced sundried tomatoes, pasta and pea pesto; toss to combine; heat through.

St. Paddy Sprouts: Preheat cast iron pan over med-heat. Fry 240g bacon until crisp; remove to cool. Don’t drain out fat. Halve or quarter 455g Brussels sprouts; add to bacon fat. Fry until lightly browned, fork tender. Turn off heat. Crumble bacon; add to sprouts; add 1/2c dried cranberries; season; serve hot or cold.

Shamrock Smoothie: Add 2c kale and 1c unsweetened almond milk to blender. Blend kale until smooth. Add 1tbs coconut flakes, 1 small frozen banana, 1/4c fresh or frozen pineapple, 1/4c fresh or frozen mango, 1tsp powdered or fresh ginger, 1/4tsp cardamom and 1scoop protein powder. Blend until smooth. 



22 comments:

  1. give the dog a bone, couldn't resist, do you know it ?

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    1. G'Day Linda...I know what you mean! I've been singing it all day, too...I've managed not to fall into step and march to it, though...not yet, anyway! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. Love your tale about St Patrick and his exploits Lee. My dad used to say the Isle of Man came about when St Patrick grabbed a clod of earth and flung it into the Irish Sea thus forming Loughborough Neagh and the Isle of Man at the same time
    Now isn't it grand that both sides of my family had links with Lurgan and surrounding districts. The Hendersons and the Thompsons seemingly made their way from Scotland and it's possible the Lappins and the Loans did so also. Then there's another line (with unknown maidens) associated with Co. Monaghan and Fermanagh.
    I grew up in a household of Orange leanings plus Green as well. One of mum's lines came from Waterford (that'd be the Doyles). Fiery Fiery household it was lol
    Take care
    Cathy
    Oh and thanks for visiting the blog - was nice to see you C x

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    1. That should be Lough Neagh - predictive text ugh!

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    2. Hey There, Cathy...I couldn't avoid a bit of fun in celebration of dear old Paddy. There was a lot of skipping back and forth across the Irish Sea, I think.

      Quite a few giant steps would've been taken across the North Channel via Giant's Causeway, to be sure! :)

      Thanks for coming by. I hope there's a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of the rainbow! :)

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  3. Lots of legends and little of substance, but that's what good stories are made of.

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    1. That's part of the fun of life, messymimi...and we certainly do need a lot more doses of fun these days. There is far too much gloom, doom, hate and violence overtaking us.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. Aaah! St Patrick's Day, when the beer flows green and people wear green even if they don't suit the colour. I'll settle for looking at the greenery in my garden, there's certainly plenty of that.

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    1. Hi River...after the storms we've experienced here over the past couple of nights...with prolonged downfalls of rain...welcome rain has certainly refreshed everything...and green the mountain is....a mountain greenery made even greener.

      No green beer for me...but when I was working in the hospitality industry over many years when St. Pat's Day arrived...much green food colouring was used and not only added to beer! It was all done in the name of good fun...of happiness.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. So many different ‘stories’ about St. Patrick and who knows what’s true. Fake news has been around forever. According to Ancestors, I am 98% Irish and all I know is St Paddy’s day usually means a good time inthe bars.

    I do love Irish Soda Bread and your recipe sounds wonderful.

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    1. Hey Arleen... Who knows what the real truth is after all the centuries in between. As long as happiness, good fun and good cheer is spread around...there can be no harm in that, I reckon!

      Thanks for coming by...I raise a glass of good cheer...to one and all. :)

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  6. St. Patrick, the green color, the irisgh soda bread - are nice reminders of Ireland's traditions. Now, with North Ireland being considered an obstacle in the Brexit saga, it's good to think of the many good sides of Ireland.

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    1. Sláinte, DUTA.....

      There are many obstacles to to Brexit....many hurdles to leap. It's not only filled with hurdles but it is a giant roller-coaster...all so very confusing...with more confusion to come.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  7. Bizarrely, St Patrick's Day is celebrated in most English pubs these days. This was never the case when I was young. Over in Ireland there is no reciprocal celebration with Irish people dressing in the red and white of St George while downing English beer on April 23rd. Even so I wish you a Happy St Patrick's Day!

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    1. G'day Yorkie....I think St. Paddy's Day is celebrated more in the the US than it is anywhere else. The Irish who settled in the States made it into a celebration and it grew through the years.

      No celebrating here with or by me...our hearts here Down Under are shattered by the actions of a demented fool - a despicable monster who has brought shame on Australia...we are as one with our Kiwi mates...in shock over the horrific massacre, murder in Christchurch...our good neighbours across the Tasman are hurting...and we hurt with them.

      Thanks for coming by.

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  8. Don’t you just love history!? And your family history is just as interesting!
    And yes, Christchurch...Omg...despicable!!
    Hugs to you sweet friend...🌸

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    1. G'Day, Donna. History was one of my favourite subjects at high school...and I've not lost interest in it.

      I just wish the history that is being made today was all good, not history blotted by actions of fools and monsters as is so often, too often, happening these days.

      Why some humans (too many) are so intent on proving just how dumb they are, beats me.

      Hugs back to you, Donna...and thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. What fun and what purrfect food for St. Patty's Day.

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    1. Hi there, Sandra...we certainly need more fun in this muddled up world we live in.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. What a fascinating saint. And the bread looks delish.
    Have a good one.

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  11. I think you could enjoy 'St. Paddy Sprouts' any day of the year :)

    All the best Jan

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  12. Hey Sandra and Jan....glad you like the look of the food...it is tempting...I'll have to make some for myself! :)

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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