Manx Cuisine

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Overview of Manx Cuisine History
Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea among England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Once a Scottish colony, the Isle of Man is now administrated by the United Kingdom although it is not a part of it. As fishing is the main economic resource, the Isle of Man’s cuisine is mostly based on fish meat, cereals and vegetables represent the main ingredient for numerous meals. The British cuisine has inspired the Isle of Man cuisine as well as the Scottish cuisine did. Even so in the Isle of Man cuisine you may find Italian, French, Spanish, Thai and Indian influences. Although the Manx cuisine is very influenced by other cuisine from around the world, traditional dishes are very popular. Like the British people, Manx people serve large quantities of tea.

Cuisines of Isle of Man


The Manx’s cuisine is heavy on milk products due to the fact that The Isle of Man is famous for its creameries where delicious cheeses, butter and milk are produced. Fish is the main ingredient for almost every meal such as Kippers (smoked herrings) which are always in the breakfast and Manx Queenies (little sweet Scallops), which are usually served in a garlic butter sauce. As for dishes which include meat the most popular are Manx Lamb or Loghton Lamb, which have a unique flavor to go with their bizarre form (they have four horns). People from Isle of Man usually serve the tea with a spicy hybrid of scone and a fruit cake. Beside the traditional dishes which are generally made of seafood, people from the Isle of Man also prepare Spanish food such as tapas which are home made fudge and smoothies.

Preparation Methods for Manx Cooking
Manx cuisine uses elements from various cooking traditions borrowed from their neighbors and developed from their own traditional dishes. While there are no particular or exclusive preparation methods for Isle of Man cooking, it should be pointed out that interest to certain aspects are significant in the Isle of Man cuisine. Using the right quantity of spices for example is important – both for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The variety of vegetables and cereals found in Isle of Man is also noticed in the delicious dishes belonging to their cuisine. The image attractiveness of the dish is also essential, and a balance between colors and proportion differentiates. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of Manx’s regions. The main element of most Isle of Man dishes is principally the meat and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.

Special Equipment for Manx Cooking
Most Manx dishes don’t require you to purchase any special tools. However, having a coffee grinder helps with roasting and grinding spices and maximizes their volatile oils, which, in turn, provides your food with more flavor.

Starting from cake pans, can openers, colanders, egg rings, poachers and holders, food dishers and portioners, food pans and food containers to other kitchen utensils, like food scales, food scoops and fryer baskets and accessories, the Isle of Man cuisine needs a various cooking equipment set in order to produce the most sophisticated Isle of Man dishes. You should consider insulated food carriers if you are transporting the food and a full set of kitchen linens and uniforms if you wish to look like a pro. Here are a few other items that will come handy while cooking Isle of Man food: juicers, kitchen knives, kitchen slicers, and kitchen thermometers, measuring cups and measuring spoons, miscellaneous utensils, mixing bowls and skimmers and strainers.

Manx Food Traditions and Festivals
The Isle of Man national holidays are the national day named Tynwald Day (July 5), Mother’s Day (March 8), Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Day, Easter Day. During the national holidays people eat traditional dishes such as Manx kippers (smoked herrings); after being caught the herrings are cut, salted and smoked with oak chips in order to give them a unique flavor. Oueen Scallops are also served for the national holidays with a white or cheese sauce. Generally for the national holidays people from Isle of Man prepare traditional food but there are meals which are combined with British ingredients.

People in Manx Food
Sue Woolley
 * Are you into Manx Cooking and would like to be interviewed? yes - I am the author of the definitive book on Manx cookery i.e. My Grandmother's Cookbook - Traditional Manx Fare and Celtic Customs, which has just been re-issued at £10.50.

[mailto:suew@manx.net suew@manx.net]

Many chefs from Isle of Man imaginatively use the fundamental ingredients and cooking method for traditional Isle of Man dishes. They also create original and delicious food variations. Isle of Man chefs are passionate about their traditional dishes and they enjoy presenting them to foreigners who have never tasted them before. Whether they are cooking dishes that go back in time for centuries or brand new, modern dishes, Isle of Man chefs take pride in what they do, and this is readily noticeable in the unforgettable taste of their cooking.