Irish Chips and Cliffs



Having just returned from Ireland where I ate more potatoes than I've eaten in the last six months, I must say that the chips I had (read "french fries" for American eyes) were outstanding and the best I've eaten anywhere. They were perfectly golden colored, with just the right amount of crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and always, always served hot.

I'd be a chipaholic if I lived in Ireland.

So the Irish have to get a kick out of this article, "Calif. Attorney General wants warning label on fries". The California Attorney General is so concerned for the health of the state's citizens that he is trying to get a court order to warn Californians that eating french fries can cause cancer.

Apparently, frying potatoes and other starchy foods with high heat can potentially produce a chemical that may cause cancer. Note that this chemical is not added to the food or introduced in any artificial way, it's a natural byproduct of a tried and true method of cooking used for who knows how long.

PLLEEEAASE!!

1. If this issue were truly a concern then the whole of the British Isles would be on the brink of extinction by now due to cancer.
2. California's Attorney General should focus his lawyering skills on real issues, of which, I'm sure, California has many to choose from.

This story goes to prove up a point Ed and I made to our Irish and Scottish hosts one night over dinner regarding the Cliffs of Moehr and the cliffs on the Aran Islands. If you'll notice the picture of the Cliffs of Moehr in my blog entry below, you can walk right up to, and even over the edge, if you like. It's raw beauty at its best.

I didn't get near the edge of either cliffs (no way), but Ed did. He crawled right up to it on his belly on the Aran Islands and took some fabulous shots of the cliffs. Here's a picture of Ed standing on the edge of the Aran Islands cliffs.




And, so we were amazed that this was possible. If either of those spots were in America there'd be a barrier 10 feet back from the edge, there'd be disclaimer signs everywhere ("Falls From Steep Cliffs Can Kill") and you'd have to sign a disclaimer absolving the government of any liability should you decide to take a plunge over of your own accord even after all the warnings and disclaimer signs.

I think we can learn a lot from the Irish and it's not just how to make a great chip.

Posted: Mon - August 29, 2005 at 03:54 AM          

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