Traditional Irish Stew

Prep: 30 min Cook: 60 min
Categories: Soups & Stews, Holiday: St. Patrick's Day, Traditional: British-Irish

Ingredients:

1. 3-4 c water
2. 1 lamb or mutton discards, such as: neckbone, shank, etc.
   
3. 1-2 lb lamb or mutton
   
4. 2 large onions
   
5. 4 large carrots
6. 8 large potatoes
7. Parsley
   
8. Salt & pepper, to taste
   

Optional Ingredients for a more modern stew:

1. Other Root Vegetables, such as: turnips or parsnips
   
2. A bottle of good Stout Irish Beer
   
3. Barley
   
4. Herbs, such as: rosemary or thyme
5. Mushrooms
6. Brown Table Sauce, such as: Worcestershire, Epicure's, or Piccalilli
   
7. Tomato Sauce, such as: Ketchup or Italian Sauce
   
8. A touch of Curry powder
9. Beef bouillon or gravy granules
10. Powdered oxtail soup mix, such as a good Irish brand like Knorr

Directions:

1. Simmer water & discards in a large pot for 30 min to form a good stock
   
2. Wash onions & carrots than slice into large, bite sized chunks
3. Wash & slice potatoes into halves, peel if you'd prefer
   
4. Cube meat, if using ground mean roll into meatballs.
5. Remove discards from pot & replace with meat & potatoes, bring to a boil.
   
6. Once boiling add remaining vegetables, keep on a low boil for approximately 30 min.
7. Check with a fork to see if meat is thoroughly cooked & potatoes are soft inside, if not continue boiling an additional 15 min.
   
8. Bring to a simmer adding herbs & spices.
9. Simmer 15 min to let spices soak in.
   

Perfectly paired with a slice of bread & butter.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread (White & Brown)

Preheat: 425 Prep: 20 min Bake: 45 min

Ingredients:

1. 4 c all purpose flour (white soda bread) or 3 c wheat flour & 1 c white flour (brown soda bread)
2. 1 3/4 c buttermilk
3. 1 tsp salt
4. 1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Optional Ingredients for a more modern bread:

1. 4 Tbs Butter

Directions:

1. Lightly grease & flour a cake pan.
2. In a large bowl sieve & combine dry ingredients.
3. (optional) Rub in butter until flour becomes crumbly.
4. Add buttermilk to form a sticky dough.
5. Place on floured surface & lightly knead (over kneading causes the gas to escape)
6. Shape into a round flat disk shape.
7. Place into cake pan & cut a cross into the top of the dough.
8. Cover with another cake pan & bake 30 min.
9. Remove cake cover & bake an additional 15 min.
10. Bread is done when the bottom has a hollow sound when tapped.

Perfectly served with butter & a cup of tea.

Traditional Cottage or Shepard's Pie

Preheat: 350°F Prep: 30 min Cook: 30 min
Refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb. lean ground beef (Cottage Pie) or lamb (Shepherd's Pie)
   
2. 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
   
3. 2 carrots, diced
   
4. 2 lbs (4 c) diced mixed vegetables, such as: corn, green beans, onion, & peas
5. 2 lbs potatoes, peeled & chopped for boiling
6. 1/2 c beef broth (I suggest low sodium)
   
7. 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
8. 2 Tbs flour
   
9. 1 1/2 lbs grated cheese
10. 1 Tbs cooking oil
11. To taste: salt, pepper, & other seasonings such as: rosemary or thyme

Optional Ingredients for a Modern Pie

1. 1-2 Tbs Tomato Paste added to vegetable mixture
2. 3 Tbs Butter & 1c Heavy Cream for richer mashed potatoes
3. Other vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, or mushrooms

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 20 min.
2. Fry ground meat until cooked thoroughly, drain. Add garlic, broth, & Worcestershire Sauce.
   
3. Add diced carrots & oil to meat mixture & sauté over low. Remove from heat when carrots become tender.
4. Mix in remaining diced vegetables, salt & pepper.
   
5. Mash potatoes & add seasonings.
6. Layer meat mixture in baking dish followed by mashed potatoes and topped with cheese.
   
7. Bake.