What do people eat in Ireland?

Diet

Irish cooking is based on meat, potatoes, and vegetables, such as onions and cabbage. Potatoes are particularly important in the Irish diet. They are used to make chips, potato bread, boxty (a type of potato pancake), colcannon (mash potatoes with kale or scallions), and poitín (an alcoholic drink made from distilled potatoes).

The Irish enjoy pork, ham, and bacon dishes, including black pudding and white pudding. Black pudding is made with pork, pork blood, cereals, and seasoning; white pudding is similar but without the blood. Mutton and lamb are also popular and are cooked with potatoes, onions, and other vegetables to make struisín gaelach (Irish stew). Fish and seafood are abundant, including a miniature lobster known as a Dublin Bay prawn. The Irish produce excellent dairy products, including butter, buttermilk, cottage cheese, Irish cheddar, and ring cheese.

The Irish drink tea at any time of day. They also enjoy stout, a strongly flavored beer made from malt barley, yeast, water, and hops. Guinness is one of the best-known beers of this type. Cider is made with apples, fermented in oak vats, and is served cold. Irish whiskeys and Irish liquors are highly regarded throughout the world. Uisce beatha is the Irish term for whiskey. It means “water of life.”

The Irish day traditionally begins with a filling breakfast, such as eggs and bacon. The main meal of the day is served at noon and may feature a hearty soup or stew. Supper is served early in the evening and is generally lighter than the midday meal. The Irish traditionally end their day with a light snack and a cup of tea before bedtime.

Popular Ireland Recipes

Barm Brack (Traditional Irish Bread) - Bread
Boxty (Potato Griddle Cakes) - Main Dish
Brown Bread - Bread
Carrot Soup - Soup
Colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes) - Side Dish
Corned Beef Brisket - Main Dish
Creamed Fresh Haddock - Main Dish
Creamed Peas and Potatoes - Side Dish
Dublin Coddle - Main Dish
Dublin Sunday Corned Beef and Cabbage - Main Dish
Egg, Bacon and Leek Pie - Main Dish
Irish Celery Root Bisque - Soup
Irish Christmas Cake - Dessert
Irish Plum Cake - Dessert
Irish Roast Chicken with Hazelnut Stuffing - Main Dish
Irish Smoked Salmon - Side Dish
Irish Stew - Soup
Irish Wedding Cake - Dessert
Leek, Potato and Cheese Pie - Main Dish
Rhubarb Crumble - Dessert
Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks and Cream - Side Dish
Spinach Soup with Green Onions - Soup
Wild Salmon in Basil Cream - Main Dish

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