Check out "Yo Chef's" New Recipe!

This is a great one for St. Patty's Day!


Irish Stew
Probably the "Best" known Irish dish. Traditional made from goat or kid now, however it is more commonly made with lamb; traditional Irish stew meat was not browned first, but if you wish you can brown the meat and ½ the onions for a few minutes prior to baking.

Method: Use 2lbs. of quality lamb meat and trim the fat, then cut into fairly large pieces. Peel and slice 2lbs. of potatoes. 8 medium onions (peel and slice) Plenty of carrots and/or parsnips - optional.

Next, using a large oven proof dish, place a layer of potato slices in the bottom of the dish then a layer of onions (carrots and/or parsnips) then add the lamb, season with Salt and Pepper. Add some chopped parsley, a bay leaf, and thyme followed by the remainder of the potatoes and onions layered.

Add 1-1½ pints of water. Cover the pot either with a lid or sheet of foil and cook in an oven at 250°F for approx. 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent the stew from sticking and add more water if it becomes too dry. Irish stew is best prepared several hours or the day before as it often tastes better having been reheated. The stew when served should be accompanied with traditional Soda Bread.

There is no definitive recipe for Irish stew and the above may be enhanced with the addition of carrots or parsnips. Another popular alternative is to substitute a quantity of the water with 1 cup Guinness or 1 cup of red wine.


White Soda Bread
4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt 14 oz of buttermilk

Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly grease and flour a cake pan. In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients. Add the buttermilk to form sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape) Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough. Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove, cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes. The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped to show it is done. Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Enjoy!

Make sure to check out the video for this recipe at http://www.wzzm13.com/recipes/story.aspx?storyid=106843&catid=59.