In my seventh Lysi Weston mystery novel, set in Northern Ireland, my characters dine on traditional Irish foods. I spent two weeks in County Antrim Northern Ireland doing research for my book, and had the opportunity to try traditional Irish cuisine. Here are sone of the tasty dishes I tried:
Irish stew is considered Ireland’s national dish. It originated in the 1800’s. It is a delicious mélange of mutton, onions, potatoes, carrots and parsley simmered for about two hours into a thick stew.
Ulster Fry is a hearty dish often eaten for breakfast although there was so much on my plate that I didn’t need lunch or dinner. It consists of two eggs, lightly browned potatoes, beans, soda bread, pork sausages, crisp bacon, black and white pudding and a juicy red tomato.
Coddle, sometimes called Dublin Coddle, is an Irish dish which is often made to use up leftovers and therefore doesn’t have a specific recipe. The dish is braised in the stock produced by boiling pieces of bacon and sausage. It’s ingredients often include potatoes, onions and whatever from the pantry and fridge.
Colcannon is a dish that consists of mashing together buttery mashed potatoes with cooked cabbage and leeks. Colcannon has its roots in the 17thcentury when cabbage, potatoes and leeks were considered the food of the working class.
Boxty is a traditional potato pancake that consists mashed and grated potatoes. The Irish have a saying: Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan. If you can’t make boxty you won’t get a man.
Farl is a kind of soda bread very popular in Ulster. This was the quick way to make bread for unexpected guests who stopped by for a bit of craic (good fun).
Champ, brúitin in Irish, is a dish that combines mashed potatoes, spring onions, milk and cheese.
Needless to say, I gained a few pounds while in County Antrim but it was worth it because the food was so delicious.
More tips:
Blarney Stone, a Gift to Writers
Waterford, Ireland’s Oldest City
Durty Nelly’s Pub
Global Mysteries 
Leave a comment