St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day this week is a great excuse to celebrate all that is Irish. So this week we share some great hearty Irish meals with which to grace your table. 

Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity and that’s why people wear green to celebrate on this national day. It’s a big day in Ireland, obviously, but it’s celebrated around the world and even outside it, on the space station and as far afield on earth as Sydney Opera House and turning the Chicago river green.

 St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity.

Today the celebration is more secular than religious. Drink is more a feature than food these days, but since it’s called a feast day, food is still important.

So, why not try our ready-made Irish celebration, the Lidgate Guiness & Pork Sausages. They go brilliantly with an Irish potato dish called, Colcannon. It’s similar to  mash but, with some green veggies stirred in for some extra Irish flair including leeks, cabbage, kale and spring onions  and butter. It’s not a day to skimp on the carbs so why not try some Irish Soda bread

 Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake made by mixing grated potatoes into mashed potatoes and frying them like a patty. Some Irish say that the name Boxty originated from an Irish phrase ‘arán bocht tí’ which means ‘poor-house bread’. Boxty is such a versatile dish and you can pair it with almost anything. But the best recommendation is to try it with smoked salmon and Crème Fraîche or bacon and eggs.

Irish Potato Farls are square pieces of potato griddled breads, served with butter and salt. Similar to Boxty and is the kind of baked potato bread that is usually served for breakfast.  Potato farls are made by thoroughly combining ingredients such as butter, flour, potatoes and baking powder to make a dough. The dough is then cut into four symmetrical square pieces before baking it.

 Or try this simple Irish Stew with soft lamb and sweet carrots.  Our lamb is sourced from trusted farms and estates to ensure the best quality meat. 

Free-Range grass-fed diced leg of lamb. Ideal for a homemade curry or a casserole.