St. David's Day
With St. David’s Day approaching on Saturday 1st March, it’s time for traditional Welsh food to take the spotlight. So here is our opportunity to celebrate all things Welsh and reveal why the Welsh are associated with leaks…
As cities and towns across Wales put on parades with daffodils and leeks aplenty, many will be feasting on cawl (a hearty stew),Welsh rarebit, and Bara Brith (bread flavoured with tea and dried fruit).
The day of celebration is marked right around the globe, with Disneyland Paris enjoying a Welsh-themed week, Los Angeles hosting a festival to celebrate Celtic tradition, and even Washington holding a congressional reception to honour the First Minister of Wales’ visits.
There’s no better time to tuck into some delicious Welsh dishes whether you’re an old hand or a complete newbie - Mwynhewch eich bwyd (Bon Appétit)!
Most of us will be familiar with the leek as a symbol of national pride in Wales, but how did this come about? The association goes back hundreds of years – Shakespeare even refers to it in Henry V. According to some legends, the leek became an emblem when St David advised Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd in North Wales between 655 – 682AD, to have his men wear a leek in the battle against the Saxons so that they could recognise one another. St David was said to be a big fan of leeks which is why he chose the vegetable.
A second, and more likely, reason that the leek became a symbol of Wales dates to 1346 and the Battle of Crécy in Northern France when English and Welsh soldiers were attacked by the French. This is one of several battles where the victory of the English is attributed to Welsh archers. The stories say that Welsh archers, under the command of Edward the Black Prince who was Prince of Wales at the time, fought against foot soldiers in a leek field to secure victory.
More Than Leeks…
But Wales’ culinary secrets expand far beyond leeks. Also steeped in history, the mysteriously named Welsh rarebit (formerly known as ‘Welsh rabbit’) has nothing to do with rabbits at all. With a creamy sauce poured over some rustic toasted bread, this traditional dish is easy to recreate at home. In a saucepan, melt butter with flour to make a paste, then add beer, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. After this, add our strong and nutty Keen’s Cheddar or Welsh Black Bomberto finish the sauce.
If you’re looking to increase the wow factor, instead of using bread, try this recipe for a rarebit steak. Use one of our delicious beef cuts such as the fillet steak to upgrade this Welsh staple!
Although we are heading into spring, the weather can still leave us craving something warming when it comes to dinnertime. Welsh cawl is a stew dating back to the Middle Ages, consisting of either beef or lamb chunks paired with a vegetable medley of potatoes, swedes, carrots, and you guessed it - leeks. Often considered the national dish of Wales, cawl is a St. David’s Day favourite which symbolises the country’s warm and welcoming hospitality. Like many stews, cawl is said to taste even better the next day once the flavours have been allowed to fully develop. Recipes vary, but this one by The Hairy Bikers showcases the dish’s fantastic simplicity. Our diced lamb or diced steak would work perfectly.
Laverbread is one of the lesser known Welsh culinary treasures and its name can be misleading! Beware, this dish has nothing to do with bread, but is made from a kind of edible seaweed. Known as ‘Welshman’s Caviar,’ it is rich in iron and iodine, and a staple for coastal communities. A paste is created through repeated washing and boiling and can be served alone or coated with oatmeal. It is a central element of the traditional Welsh cooked breakfast, and pairs perfectly with bacon and cockles (and we think baked beans, sausages, and mushrooms too!). If you’re looking for a less adventurous Welsh choice, try Tatws Pum Munud, otherwise known as Five-minute Potatoes. Thinly-sliced potatoes are prepared in a perfectly-seasoned chicken stock with bacon and onion. Include our maple streaky bacon if you enjoy a sprinkling of sweetness with your savoury flavours!
No matter how you want to celebrate, there are plenty of ways to get into the Welsh spirit this weekend. Great events will be held all around London over the weekend such as the St. David’s Day concert at Regent Hall and an evening of music and dance at the London Welsh Centre. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus (Happy St. David’s Day)!