Making great food for feasting on St. Patrick’s Day requires more than the luck o’ the Irish. Follow these yummy recipes, and your friends and family will be dancing jigs of delight.
Irish Beef Stew
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
3 cups stout beer (such as Guinness®)
2 potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Stir in onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes or until onion has softened and turned translucent.
4. Stir in beef, beer, sliced potatoes, and quartered potatoes.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer about 2 hours or until the beef is tender.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and margarine.
4. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
6. Bake in preheated oven 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.