The English Market was established in 1788 and is famous throughout Ireland and beyond for its cornucopia of produce including olives, fish, organic meats and poultry, fruit and vegetables and delicious breads, cakes and cheeses. Recipes from the English Market showcases this exciting melting pot of foodstuffs, ingredients and different food cultures

Recipes from the English Market gives a potted history of each stall holder. For example, Donagh O’Reilly is a third generation tripe producer, one of the few left in Ireland. Donagh’s family have traded dressed trip for over 100 years from their stall in the English Market. Each stall holder provides their favourite recipes using their own produce. We have Pat O’Connell’s recipe for O’Connell’s lemon sole fillets with Dublin Bay prawns. Today Pat’s stall probably ranks as the most famous fish stall in both Ireland and the UK since the visit of Queen Elizabeth II during her state visit in May, 2011.

The atmosphere, sights and smells make the English Market a shopping experience unlike any other in the city. There is a great mix of traditional Cork fare and exciting new foods from many parts of the world and together with the long standing family-run stalls contribute to the unique appeal and atmosphere of this market. It is no surprise then that the English Market was voted one of the top ten best food markets in Europe by the Observer Food Magazine and Rick Stein said “In my opinion this is the best covered market in the UK and Ireland.”

This recipe collection is as eclectic as the market itself with food ranging from the traditional to the obscure. It is a piece of Cork history and a book to treasure- Rachel Allen