Taste of the Week
The Gentleman's Relish
The English made Gentleman's Relish, also known as Patum Peperium, is our Taste of the Week. It is a spiced anchovy relish and the main ingredient, as you might expect, is salted Anchovies (60%). They say it has a rather fine flavour. Understating it a bit, really. It is quite salty, quite strong. There is a hint on the package - I bought mine at the Avoca shop in Powerscourt House and Gardens - and you'd do well to read it: To appreciate the fine flavour of this relish, it should be used sparingly. They suggest spreading it on toast, crackers or blinis. I did. Quite a taste, so be careful. Could also form the basis for a seafood sandwich. And I see that Restaurant Forty One use it to accompany Dublin Bay Prawns on their dinner menu.
