| The potato originated in the Andes Mountains of | | | | Seafood Stew |
| South America. The Peruvian mountainous terrain was | | | | Yield: 10 servings |
| too cold for wheat or corn but potatoes thrived. The | | | | Ingredients |
| Andean natives not only used potatoes for food but | | | | 6 (1 Lb) Maine lobsters |
| for medicinal purposes. Andean’s worshipped | | | | 20 medium size Sea scallops |
| potato gods and had ritual celebrations for successful | | | | 36 Large shrimp, peel, cleaned and tail removed, |
| potato harvests. | | | | aprox. 2 lbs. |
| In the 1500’s Spanish explorers invaded South | | | | 10 (1 oz) pieces of black cod |
| America. They were in search of gold and new lands. | | | | ½ cup small dice carrots |
| The Inca people were enslaved and forced to work | | | | ½ cup small dice celery |
| the silver mines in Bolivia. The potato became a | | | | ½ cup small dice leek |
| common food source for the slaves and for Spanish | | | | ½ cup small dice Idaho potato |
| sailors. The Spanish conquistadors brought gold back | | | | 1 teaspoon kosher salt |
| to Spain but they also brought the potatoes. | | | | 1 teaspoon ground white pepper or black pepper |
| The potato is a member of the nightshade family. | | | | ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg |
| The leaves are poisonous. If left in sunlight too long | | | | 1 quart heavy cream |
| potatoes will turn light green. Green potatoes are | | | | 1 cup dry vermouth (can be made without) |
| bitter to the taste and can cause illness in humans. | | | | 10 (5 inch) puff pastry rounds |
| During the 1500’s Ireland was war torn. There | | | | Equipment |
| were constant wars between the English rulers, local | | | | 10 (3 ½ inch) terrines/ramekins or serving dish of |
| nobles and Irish inhabitants. Because of the constant | | | | your choice |
| conflicts Ireland’s peasant farmers were not able | | | | Directions |
| to grow enough food. In this war-torn country the | | | | 1. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil; poach lobsters, |
| potato was introduced in approximately 1663. The | | | | then shrimp, then black cod and last scallops. After |
| potato found a perfect growing climate in Ireland. | | | | seafood is cooked, remove from water; reserve |
| The people of Ireland adopted the rugged plant. The | | | | water and bring to boil. |
| potato could be produced in abundance and was | | | | 2. Cook all vegetables in liquid that was used for the |
| adopted as a daily staple. It became a national food | | | | seafood, remove vegetables when tender. Allow the |
| with the popular name given “Irish Potato”. | | | | liquid to continue to boil until only 1qt of liquid remains. |
| In peaceful time it grew in abundance. During war | | | | This will be the base for the sauce. |
| when farms were destroyed potatoes could be | | | | 3. Bring seafood liquid back to a boil and add the |
| buried underground. | | | | vermouth and heavy cream and reduce by half, |
| In 1845 disaster struck Ireland. The fungus | | | | season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg to taste. |
| Phytophthora infestans destroyed potato plants in | | | | You have reached your desired thickness when the |
| Ireland. The Irish Potato Famine struck Ireland. Potato | | | | sauce will cover the back of a wooden spoon. Set |
| crops were destroyed in 1845, 1846 and again in | | | | aside to cool. |
| 1848. The Irish were left with no source of income | | | | 4. Cut Maine lobster, shrimp and scallops into bite size |
| and nothing to eat. Some Irish starved to death. | | | | pieces. |
| Approximately, one million people died. Those that | | | | 5. Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees. |
| could afford to left Ireland for America and Canada. | | | | 6. Fold seafood and vegetables into cool sauce, being |
| Ships carrying Irish immigrants to America were | | | | careful not to mix too much as this will break up the |
| known as “coffin ships”. The ships were | | | | seafood. Scoop mixture into terrines or oven proof |
| over crowded and unsanitary. | | | | baking dish of your choice. |
| The potato did not gain prominence in Europe until | | | | 7. Cover terrines with puff pastry rounds, brush them |
| 1780’s. The European had other food sources | | | | with egg wash and bake them until golden brown |
| and the potato was considered for the underclass. | | | | about 8-10 minutes, allow to cool for 5 minutes |
| Eventually, the potato gained acceptance and made | | | | before serving. You can cook this 2-3 hours ahead of |
| its way to North America. Today the potato is a | | | | time and keep warm at 150 F degrees. |
| common vegetable in the Western diet. We baked, | | | | *All seafood can be substituted with other favorite |
| fried, mashed and etc potatoes. | | | | options of your choice and availability. |
| Everyone Eats Potatoes | | | | Supplied: America’s Secret Recipes |
| Recipes from the 2009 Inaugural Luncheon | | | | (Newsletter)The Inaugural Luncheon Recipe Menu is |
| Menu | | | | from America’s Secret Recipes newsletter. |
| First Course: | | | | Featuring clone recipes. |