The Irish are known for their reliance on potatoes and other root vegetables, especially kale and cabbage. Adding a side of buttery mashed potatoes can make any stew, chowder or st patrick’s day dinner extra hearty and delicious.
Stew is an Irish classic and can be made with beef, lamb or mutton. It is a comforting, thick and creamy dish that is easy to prepare and makes an ideal meal for any time of the year.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is one of the most traditional irish food for st patrick’s day. It was originally made with salt-cured meat – like brisket – before electricity made refrigeration possible.
It is usually prepared with a seasoned spice packet, and then slow-cooked with carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. It is a flavorful, simple dish that is easy to make.
Cabbage is another nutrient-rich vegetable that has been a staple in Ireland for centuries. It is a hearty and filling side that can be eaten with or without meat.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a savory pie filled with minced meat, topped with mashed potatoes. It’s a favorite in Ireland, Scotland, and England.
Traditionally, the filling is made with lamb, but beef can also be used. The mixture is cooked in a sauce of gravy and spices.
It is then topped with mashed potatoes and baked in the oven to create a creamy top layer.
This is a perfect make-ahead dish to have on hand for any occasion! It can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time and simply reheated in the oven.
The meat mixture is then topped with mashed potatoes and a layer of gravy is added to the bottom. The dish is then baked in the oven until the mashed potatoes are warmed through and slightly browned on top.
Fish Chowder or Stew
Chowder or stew is a traditional Irish meal made with fresh fish in a creamy broth. They are often made from a variety of seafood, including prawns, clams and haddock.
This is a simple recipe and can be tailored to suit your tastes, adding corn, mushrooms or any other vegetable you prefer. It makes a light, creamy and delicious lunch or starter for a dinner party.
Start by sauteing onions in bacon fat in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the onions have softened, add the potatoes and cook for a few minutes until they are tender but not mushy.
Apple Cake
Apple cake is a delicious way to showcase fresh apples. It’s also super easy to make.
It can be topped with a brown sugar glaze or simply sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar, but we recommend serving it plain with some whipped cream and coffee.
This recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but you can make it any time of year.
To prepare this dessert, peel and dice four Granny Smith or Braeburn apples. Combine them with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture and the cake batter. Spread the apple slices on top of the cake, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over them. Bake the cake until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about one hour and twenty minutes.
Rhubarb Pie
Rhubarb is a sweet, tart fruit with a natural tang that pairs perfectly with a buttery pie crust. You can make this recipe with fresh or frozen rhubarb, but it’s best to use rhubarb that is at its peak ripeness for the best flavor.
Rhubarb Pie is a classic Irish dessert that features a flaky pie crust and a plump, juicy filling. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients.
The crust is made with a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter that is pulsed in the food processor a few times. Then, water is added to the mixture one tablespoon at a time until it starts to come together in clumps.