Corned Beef is More American than Irish!
Did you know corned beef is not the dish of choice in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day? For St. Patrick’s day you are more likely to see a leg of lamb, lamb or beef stew, or a dish with bacon, potatoes and cabbage on the menu in Ireland. In fact, in ancient Ireland cows were once considered sacred and so the meat of choice was either pork or lamb. When the British conquered most of Ireland they introduced the potato and beef became more popular.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s day with corned beef originated in New York City with Irish immigrants having a bit more money than they did in Ireland and purchasing corned beef from kosher butchers. So, the corned beef we eat today is actually Jewish, not strictly Irish. But, the Irish in the burrows of New York City made it their own with the addition of potatoes and cabbage. This article from this Smithsonian Magazine describes the relationship between St. Patrick’s Day and corned beef, as well as the relationship between Irish and Jewish immigrants in New York City.
So, if you want to celebrate a traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day, why not try lamb stew or a shepherd’s pie?
Lamb stew meat is available from us, already cut into pieces. You want to be sure to sear it before adding it to the pot for a lamb stew. Here is a Guinness Lamb Stew Recipe that sounds rich and hearty. Or, here is a lamb stew recipe that sounds like it would have plenty of umami going on with the addition of mushrooms to the stew.
For a shepherd’s pie, we have ground lamb available. Breaking into a cheese topped, potato crust, and getting a bite of rich, savory gravy and vegetables is a very satisfying meal on any day, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. Our go to is very easy, with browned ground lamb and onions, a can of cream of mushroom soup, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and spices and a bag of frozen veggies. Then we top it with prepared instant mashed potatoes and shredded cheddar cheese. Bake it in the oven until it is bubbly and the top starts to brown and Viola! However, if you’re palette is more discerning, here’s a shepherd’s pie recipe from Gordon Ramsey that sounds delightful.
Shop now for lamb to celebrate St. Paddy’s!