March 17th is our national holiday here in Ireland and I thought I would list few Irish recipes here for you to try. These are traditional recipes which are enjoyed across this island.
TEA BRACK
250g sultanas
250g raisins
225g soft brown sugar
500ml hot, strong black tea (without milk)
330g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp mixed spice
2 eggs
Method:
Put the dried fruit and sugar into a bowl and pour in the tea. Stir well to dissolve the sugar then cover and leave over night.
Line a loaf tin with greaseproof paper and grease with melted butter.
Into the bowl sift in the flour, baking powder & mixed spice. Add the eggs and beat well. Little by little add the tea/fruit mix into the batter making sure to mix well after each addition.
Pour mix into the loaf tin and bake at 160C for about 1.5hrs. Cool on a wire rack and serve when cooled.
GUINNESS AND BEEF STEW
400g stewing beef
200ml Guinness Stout
250ml beef stock
4 medium carrots
2 medium onions
1 stick of celery
3 mushrooms
1 bay leaf
Rosemary
Salt
Pepper
30g plain flour
Steep the beef in the Guinness and bay leaf overnight.
Chop the carrots, onions, mushrooms, and celery and add to a large pot.
Drain the Guinness off the beef and set liquid aside for later.
Toss the beef in the flour and add to a hot pan to brown the meat.
Add the meat into the pot of vegetables, pour in the Guinness mix, and add the rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Bring to the boil and turn the heat down to a simmer. Stew over a low heat for about 1 hour.
If the stew is not thick enough mix a tsp cornflour with 50ml cold water. Add a little of the stew liquid to the cornflour mix and stir well. Next add that into the stew and stir over a medium heat until thicken.
Serve with boiled potatoes.
