St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration of Irish Heritage
t. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that’s full of excitement, fun, and delicious food! St. Patrick’s Day has been a part of Irish culture since the fifth century A.D. and has gone from a day of reflection and prayer to a day of festive celebration around the world. St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in some of the country’s most beloved foods. Irish cuisine is known for its simple yet hearty dishes, which are perfect for filling up on a chilly March day.
Traditional Irish Fare for St. Patrick’s Day
Traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods are hearty, filling and pure Irish comfort food. Though the dishes may seem simple, they are sure to satisfy and delight.
t. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that’s full of excitement, fun, and delicious food! St. Patrick’s Day has been a part of Irish culture since the fifth century A.D. and has gone from a day of reflection and prayer to a day of festive celebration around the world. St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in some of the country’s most beloved foods. Irish cuisine is known for its simple yet hearty dishes, which are perfect for filling up on a chilly March day.
Traditional Irish Fare for St. Patrick’s Day
Traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods are hearty, filling and pure Irish comfort food. Though the dishes may seem simple, they are sure to satisfy and delight.
Some of the most popular foods served on St. Patrick’s Day include:
- Corned beef and cabbage: This is perhaps the most famous St. Patrick’s Day dish. Corned beef is a salt-cured beef brisket, and it is often served alongside boiled cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
- Shepherd’s pie: This hearty dish is made with ground beef or lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, and is often served as a main course.
- Irish soda bread: This bread is made with baking soda instead of yeast and is traditionally served with butter and jam.
- Guinness stew: This hearty stew is made with beef, carrots, onions, and potatoes, and is flavored with the rich, dark flavor of Guinness beer.
- Bangers and mash: This is a classic British and Irish dish made with sausages and mashed potatoes.
These traditional foods are a delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the rich culture and heritage of Ireland.
A Day of Irish Indulgence
But St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about traditional Irish cuisine. It’s also a time to indulge in some delicious treats, parades and parties. From shamrock-shaped sugar cookies to Guinness cake, there are plenty of sweet treats to enjoy on this holiday. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, organized by Irish soldiers serving in the British army. The parade has since become a beloved tradition in cities around the world, with people of all backgrounds coming together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
So whether you’re looking to enjoy a hearty meal or indulge in some sweet treats, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to explore the delicious flavors of Irish cuisine. So put on your green and get ready to celebrate this festive holiday with some of the most delicious foods around!
Five Fun Facts About Ireland:
- Potatoes were first introduced to Ireland in the late 16th century. It is believed that the first potatoes were brought to Ireland by the Spanish, who had discovered them in South America. The potato quickly became popular in Ireland due to its ability to produce a high yield of food in a small amount of space, making it an ideal crop for small-scale farmers.
- Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle” because of its lush green landscapes. The country’s rolling hills, meadows, and forests are famous around the world and make for stunning scenery.
- Guinness Stout. Did you know that the perfect pint of Guinness should take exactly 119.5 seconds to pour? That’s right, there’s a science to getting that creamy, velvety head just right. It is estimated that over 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick’s Day around the world.
- The Irish language, known as Gaelic, is still spoken by a small percentage of the population. It is an important part of Ireland’s cultural heritage and is taught in schools throughout the country.
- It is estimated that there are around 30,000 castles and castle ruins in Ireland. This includes some of the most well-known and iconic castles such as Blarney Castle, Bunratty Castle, Kilkenny Castle, and Dublin Castle.
We’ve created the perfect Irish dish to celebrate, Irish Braised Short Ribs! Tender, fall-of-the-bone, mouth-watering goodness that will be sure to fill your heart and stomach with joy!
Irish Braised Short Ribs with Colcannon Cakes ~
St. Patrick’s Day means pulling out all the stops, and this dish is a fantastic twist on an Irish-inspired classic. Guinness-braised short ribs with colcannon cakes Hearty, comforting, soul-warming, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for celebrating the season in style with friends and family. The stout adds its rich and perfectly balanced toasted malt, coffee, and chocolate notes, which pair perfectly with the tenderness of the short ribs. Served with a pint or two of the good stuff, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Sláinte, friends!
Ingredients – Irish Short Ribs
- 2 pounds beef short ribs – Certified Angus Beef/Creekstone
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ large onion, diced
- 1 carrots, diced
- 1 celery stalks, diced
- 1 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- ½ – 15ounce can Guinness Stout
- 1 cups beef stock
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Ingredients – Colcannon Cakes
- 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes
- 1 ½ cups shredded cabbage
- ⅓ cup butter
- ½ cup cream
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- Sea salt
- ¼ cup olive oil, for frying
Directions for Short Ribs
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat a very large dutch oven (or oven-safe pot) over medium-heat, then pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the short ribs all over with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper then, working in batches, brown until golden all over. Set aside.
- Next, add your onion, carrot, celery, and a pinch of salt, then sauté until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
- Add the tomato paste, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour in the Guinness stout, beef stock, season with a pinch of sea salt and pepper, then bring to a simmer.
- Add the short ribs back to the sauce, then transfer to the preheated oven and braise for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the short ribs are falling off the bone.
Directions for colcannon cakes
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes, then drain.
- While the potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet over medium-heat and melt the butter.
- Add the cabbage, season with a pinch of salt, then cook for 4 – 5 minutes, until softened and wilted.
- Combine the potatoes, cabbage, and cream, and mash until smooth. Fold in the green onions, then season with salt to taste. Cool for a few minutes until workable.
- Add flour, egg, and a pinch of sea salt, then shape and form into flattened individual-sized cakes. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and, working in batches, fry your colcannon cakes until golden, about 3 – 4 minutes per side.
Serve the braised short ribs with the colcannon cakes and a pint or two. Sláinte!
