| When people visit Ireland it is to see beautiful | | | | Originating in England, this traditional casserole is |
| scenery, experience a culture of music, poetry | | | | made with a lamb mince, potatoes, spices, and |
| and literature, and enjoy the renowned hospitality | | | | other vegetables such as carrots, peas and corn. |
| and brews that have made the Emerald Isle an | | | | A traditional peasant dish, this dish was similar to |
| ideal vacation destination. However, beyond the | | | | Irish stew, as it was made to be able to feed a |
| everyday scones and mashed potatoes, many | | | | large amount of people on very few ingredients. |
| visitors do not know what to indulge in during | | | | The name "Shepherd's pie" replaced the term |
| their meals. Next time you are in Ireland or find | | | | "cottage pie" in the 1870s and was ideal for |
| yourself at a restaurant featuring true Irish | | | | making new meals out of leftovers. Shepherd's |
| cuisine, try some of these traditional Irish dishes. | | | | pie has become a staple in Irish and |
| Irish Stew | | | | Irish-American households. |
| One of the quintessential dishes in Irish cuisine is | | | | Soda Bread |
| the peasant stew. Traditionally made from lamb, | | | | Dating back to 1840, Irish soda bread can range |
| potatoes, onions, and parsley, the stew would be | | | | from a cake-like consistency to a hard loaf that |
| used to feed large groups of people, such as a | | | | needs a sharp knife. This type of bread uses |
| large family, as the stock could be watered thinly | | | | sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, to raise the |
| and spread among many bowls. These days, a | | | | bread rather than yeast. While some bakers |
| variety of stews can be found throughout Ireland, | | | | choose to keep the ingredients to the traditional |
| many of which have stouts or other flavorings | | | | flour, bread, soda, salt, and buttermilk, other |
| added to create a unique taste. | | | | ingredients, like raisins or nuts, can be mixed in for |
| Bacon and Cabbage | | | | flavor. When baking, a cross is cut into the top of |
| While roast beef and cabbage is a traditional dish | | | | the bread to allow air circulation, serve as a |
| in America to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, its | | | | guideline for cutting, and ward off evil fairies. |
| origins go a little further. While corned beef is a | | | | Irish Breakfast |
| meat that was readily available to Irish Americans, | | | | Commonly found of the menus of Irish pubs in |
| in Ireland the meat of choice was bacon. This | | | | America, the Irish breakfast is a hearty meal that |
| type of bacon does not refer to the form that | | | | is meant to keep you energized and full for a |
| we usually fry, such as with rashers, but is | | | | good portion of the day. There are many |
| actually Back Bacon, which is boiled with cabbage. | | | | variations to this meal, including the Ulster Fry, but |
| Turnips or potatoes are served with this dish, and | | | | one will usually find on his/her plate bacon rashers |
| are spiced with sauces and parsley. | | | | (a thicker version of American bacon, almost like |
| Fish and Chips | | | | Canadian bacon) sausages, fried eggs, white and |
| Popularized in the United Kingdom in the mid | | | | black puddings, toast, fried tomato, and |
| 1800s, this fast food dish consists of fish such as | | | | sautéed potatoes. This can also be served with |
| cod or haddock, battered in breadcrumbs and | | | | a cup of hearty Irish tea, such as Barry's Tea of |
| deep fried, and served with a side of deep-fried | | | | Lyons Tea. This is a must try when visiting in |
| potato slices, or chips. Giuseppe Cervi, an Italian | | | | Ireland, and most Bed and Breakfasts will host |
| immigrant, brought the dish to Ireland when he | | | | this type of breakfast. |
| started selling fish and chips from a handcart. The | | | | Irish fare today has experienced throngs of rave |
| Dublin slang "one and one" refers to how Cervi's | | | | reviews and new respect as prominent chefs |
| wife Palma would ask each customer, "Uno di | | | | take local ingredients and traditional dishes and add |
| questa, uno di quella," meaning "one of this, one of | | | | new flavors and cooking styles to the menu. Irish |
| the other. Traditionally served in newspaper, fish | | | | seafood, especially shellfish, has become one of |
| and chips can still be purchased on the street, but | | | | the dishes to try when visiting Ireland. Whether |
| one can also find fancier, four-star versions at | | | | you are at a 5-star restaurant or standing in |
| restaurants around the country. | | | | queue at a fish and chip shop, trying Ireland's |
| Shepherd's Pie | | | | cuisine will add a bit of spice to your vacation. |