St. Patrick's Day: Irish Stew, sure to heal all that Ales you...

Posted by Lesli

Top o' the morning to you! With St. Patrick's Day mere hours away, it's time to get into Irish mode. There's an Irish Pub near my house that opens bright and early tomorrow morning ready to start the Irish celebrations. The party goes all day long and into the night with Irish dancing, Celtic music, a tented beer gardens area and Irish food. Ale specials start at 10 a.m. and the line up to get in was huge last year! St. Patrick's Day is one day a year when everyone wants to think like they're Irish - or at least drink like they're Irish!

Some people like some hot Kidney Pie, Bangers & Mash, or Cornish Pastie, but I like a little bit o' Irish Stew. Throw in a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny and you have an authentic Irish meal! Throw in Margalit's Irish Soda Bread and you have the ultimate Irish experience! Believe me, nobody needs green beer to have fun! That, my friends, is just asking for trouble...!!!

Irish Stew
1 1/2 lbs. stewing beef (Or cut a cheap steak into stew-like chunks)
1 T. olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, sliced
1 carrot, chopped
1 potatoes, diced
1 small sweet potato
1/2 c. barley
4 c. (or more) of beef stock - or plain water as this pot of good goodness will make it's own broth!
1 tsp. pepper & salt (to taste)
1 tsp. dried thyme

1. Brown the meat in a large pot & set aside.
2. Using the same pot, add oil & chopped onions. Cook for a few minutes then add celery & carrots.
3. Add broth or water. Bring to boil add the meat, barley & potatoes. Simmer with lid on for 10 minutes. Add more water if need be.
4. Add spices. Continue simmering until vegetables and barley are cooked. The meat will get more tender the longer it's simmered in the broth.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

TAGS: Bangers Mash, Barley, Beef, Celtic, Cornish Pastie, Green Beer, Guinness, Irish Dancing, Irish Pub, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Stew, Kidney Pie, Kilkenny, Party, St Patricks Day, Sweet Potato, Thyme
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