We're in Ireland, and loving it (needless to say). And yes, the rain is ubiquitous. So what do you do, when you're in your lovely seaside cottage, fire going in the hearth, cuppa tea in hand, needing a break from your book, and it's not just the usual light, short-lived rain, but a full-blown storm?

Storm off Westcove Harbor, Co Kerry, Ireland 

You pull out the fresh hake gleaned from the Kenmare Wednesday Market, and scrub and dice the fresh organic carrots (same market) and fresh potatoes (Tesco, not so glamorous). You chop onion and garlic, glorying in the sounds of the rain and wind. You glop into the well-loved pan some creamy Irish butter. You root around in the cupboard, and come up with fresh sea salt (no time to make your own, alas) and organic mixed herbs. And you chop the fish, which seemed so mundane when purchased (avoiding the plaice, as it is just TOO UGLY) and now has taken on a purpose far beyond what you had in mind.

Fish Guy at the Kenmare Market 

Warm inside during the storm, Pier Cottage

Et voila. A perfect, steaming bowl of fresh Irish fish chowder.

Finish your dinner with some blackberries you picked this morning, seaside, tossed atop some gorgeous rhubarb yogurt.

Loving this rainy day in Co. Kerry...

Fresh Irish Fish Chowder

all quantities approximate - use what you have on hand

fresh fish (we had 2 large filets of hake)
carrots
potatoes
onion
garlic
water (you could use wine)
milk
mixed herbs
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
butter
slice of sea-salt hand rubbed organic free range bacon

Glop some butter into the pan, and add the bacon, carrots, onion, and garlic. If you have celery, by all means, add it in (yum!). Stir that around until the veggies are soft. Add one small glass of water and the fish - the liquid should cover the fish. Add the herbs, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or so, and then add 2 small glasses of milk (I am using the juice glasses here at lovely Pier Cottage), to make it creamy. If it doesn't thicken up enough for you, take a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid out and mix it with flour or cornstarch, and add that slurry back in. Simmer slowly over low heat (Knob 1 on this stove) until you just can't stand it anymore. Dish out huge bowls of soup, and serve with that delicious brown bread, slathered with butter. Our was baked by Jane at Westcove Farmhouse Bakery, just up the road from the pier, past Westcove House.

Fresh Fish Chowder 

If you're lucky, you'll have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. But I am guessing that your family might, just might, devour it all.

Looking out the window, Pier Cottage, Co Kerry, Ireland

More Ireland goodness in our A-Z Guide here.

All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators