The Irish culture is close to my heart, having an Irish last name from my husband reminds me daily why I’m so fond of the culture. Many people will get all decked out in green clothing and shamrocks and head to their local pub to celebrate. They’ll drink green beer, shoot Irish car bombs, and get full on pints of Guinness.
However, today we are also celebrating National Eat Like an Irishman Day. Here are tips on how to eat and drink like you were born in Dublin from sunup until sundown. Let’s just hope you have the day off tomorrow!
Breakfast: In true Irish fashion, start your day with an Irish coffee. There’s an old Irish saying, “Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat.” An Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred and topped with thick cream. Created in the 1940s, the coffee is sipped through the cream. Move on to a traditional Irish breakfast to keep you going all day long. A hefty spread of meat (bacon and sausage), eggs, potatoes, and vegetables all drowned in creamy butter and served with traditional toasted Irish brown bread. If you want to get really hardcore, order your breakfast with a side of black pudding, a traditional Irish dish made from blood sausage and oatmeal.
Lunch: If you have any room left and want to keep feeding your inner Irishman, continue to lunch by noshing on some Irish stew. The ultimate Irish comfort dish, which is slow cooked with meat and vegetables. If this doesn’t seem like enough food, and you prefer to warm up that belly a little further, instead choose a Shepard’s Pie. The difference here is you are now eating the Irish stew topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. Down this with a Cider to comfort your Irish heart.
Dinner: If you have been celebrating like an Irishman all day and have the stamina to stomach the final meal of the day, then bully for you as they say. So grab a Guinness, and get ready. And what goes better with a Guinness than some Corned Beef and Cabbage? A St. Paddy’s day essential! The Corned Beef is traditionally served thinly sliced with potatoes, cabbage, garlic, and cloves — yum! So as you drink your way through the day make sure to down a plate of this to try to prevent March 18 hangovers. Cheers!