Beef Stew

Irish cooking seems to be synonymous with two dishes -Corned Beef with Cabbage and Irish Stew. Yet, if you were to take a trip to Ireland, you would find that these dishes are rarely featured on a restaurant menu -- especially the former dish!

The truth be told, corned beef did not originate from Ireland - but dishes such as Bacon and cabbage do have their roots on the Emerald Isle and you might find them sharing your plate at a traditional Irish dinner.

Developed through decades of economic hardship and famine, traditional Irish cuisine incorporates the bare essentials to create simple food. The dishes served today are often display a more modern flair, adopting techniques and ingredients to cater to the well-heeled traveler.

Some of the traditional Irish dishes include:

Bacon and Cabbage - this is a common dish found through Ireland. The foundation of the dish is boiled bacon served up with potatoes and boiled cabbage. In times past, this dish was a mainstay for the Irish because the ingredients could easily be acquired by farming rather than marketing and the dish was nutritionally sound. Even today, the dish remains a common meal in many Irish households.

Irish Lamb Stew - is created from beef, mutton or lamb, but usually mutton because the flavor is more robust and the meat not so tender. The stew also uses onions, parsley, potatoes and carrots to create a hearty meal.

Soda Bread - throughout the ages has gained a bit of notoriety in Ireland. Wholemeal or white flour forms the base of the bread and may either be sweetened if whole meal is used or fried if the white flour is utilized instead.

Champ - consists of chopped spring onions blended with mashed potatoes, milk and butter while seasoned to taste with pepper and salt. The dish is one of simplicity and rather inexpensive to make.

Bangers and mash - actually has its origins in England but later became popular throughout Ireland. The dish consists of made flavored pork or beef sausages and mash potatoes. It is often served with onion gravy that is rich and savory. Another variation to the dish is serving it up with fried onions.

Boxty - refers to the potato pancake of Irish tradition. The dish is found mainly is the north midlands. There are a variety of recipes for this however, the common thread among the variations is raw potatoes that are finely gated and served up fried. The version most sought after today however incorporates flour with mashed potatoes, baking butter milk, baking soda and eggs.

Crubeens - refers to an Irish finger food of pigs feet doused in salt. The cuisine is either boiled or consumed with cabbage.

Once you understand the history of Ireland, you will more easily be able to recognize and appreciate Irish food. If you come across exotic ingredients and spices in a recipe that lays claims to being '"authentic Irish cuisine," you'll know better as such ingredients were rarely available.

To truly appreciate Irish food, just remember that most dishes are made with a bare minimum of ingredients. These simple foods are able to capture the essence of the Irish people. Each meal is a reflection of the country's history steeped in struggle and a testament to the will of the people to persevere against all odds.

If you live in Southern California, celebrate St Patrick's Day in Long Beach. You'll find plenty of Long Beach restaurants serving Irish food and drinks.

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