Irish cuisine is a fascinating mixture of traditional and modern dishes. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Irish food is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
In restaurants across Ireland, new trends are emerging as chefs embrace the traditional ingredients and create exciting dishes. This is a fantastic time to visit Ireland for a culinary experience that will keep you coming back for more!
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional Irish casserole with savory lamb and vegetables, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes. It’s a comforting and delicious dish for any occasion.
In addition to being a great family meal, this recipe is also low in calories. You can even make this up to 8 hours ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it!
It’s a frugal, yet clever, dinner that started as an ingenious way for people to use food leftovers and remnants. Initially, the dish was called cottage pie because it came about as an inexpensive way for people to use beef, but it is now considered a shepherd’s pie if made with lamb meat.
Fish Pie
Fish pie is a traditional British comfort food that’s easy to make. Filled with poached fish, mashed potatoes and a mild creamy sauce, it’s perfect for a chilly winter’s day.
It’s also a great way to use up leftovers. For extra flavor, add chopped fresh dill or chives and a grating of nutmeg.
You can also add peeled and deveined shrimp or prawns to the filling if you like. Quartered hard-boiled eggs are a classic addition, too.
Crubeens
Crubeens are an Irish dish made from pig’s feet that are boiled before being fried. They are typically served with soda bread and a pint of Guinness.
Originally a popular snack throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, crubeens are now experiencing a revival in popularity. They are available at restaurants and pubs in many parts of Ireland, as well as stalls and shops throughout the country.
The trotters are first boiled and then either fried or roasted in the oven to create a crunchy, flavorful meat that is tender on the inside. It is a delicious dish that can be eaten by hand or stuffed into mashed potatoes for a more sophisticated Sunday supper version.
Irish Stew
Irish stew is a simple, classic dish made with lamb or beef. It’s usually served with mashed potatoes and carrots. It’s considered to be one of the most popular dishes on the irish food menu and is a staple in any traditional Irish Pub.
Ireland has centuries of culinary tradition and in the present day it’s thriving with new cooks and restaurateurs that are creating modern dishes to suit a growing appetite. These 6 influencers are bringing Irish cuisine back to its roots while simultaneously opening up a world of possibilities for what Irish food can be.
Farls
In Ireland, potato farls (also known as mashed potato breads) are often served for breakfast, but they make a great snack or dinner side too. Typically, they’re pan-fried with butter or bacon fat and they’re also served as a classic part of an Ulster Fry (a traditional Northern Irish breakfast).
In contrast to traditional mashed potatoes, these farls have no yeast and are made from warm mashed potatoes mixed with flour that are then sliced into four pieces. They’re typically fried a second time with a little bit of butter before serving them warm or cold.
In addition to these mashed potato breads, the Irish also make thicker soda farls that are made with baking soda and a variety of ingredients. These soda farls are a popular choice for dinner parties and they’re easy to make.