Recipe

Although long associated with Ireland, Corned beef is not traditional, the Irish are far more likely to serve Bacon with their cabbage.

Corned beef is actually an Irish-American dish, though it is now eaten here too. It began when emigrants could not get the cured pork they remembered from home and so used corned beef instead.

The ingredients are simple, lamb, potato, onion and carrot, but the result is a hearty and warming dish which the Irish have enjoyed for generations.

There are probably as many stew recipes as there are families in Ireland, but this is my version and very tasty it is too!

Many Irish soups are based on potatoes, this one combines them with leeks to make a very satisfying and tasty dish.

A big mug of this kind of hearty soup is particularly welcome after a day working, or walking, outdoors in an Irish winter, but the flavour is good enough that you can also add a few garnishes and serve it at dinner for friends too.

Brown bread is an Irish staple, often made daily in the home as it is quick and easy to make and tastes best when really fresh, even warm from the oven.

There are two recipes here – first a basic traditional brown bread recipe, then a second one for a more dense wholemeal bread that is great with smoked salmon

Made with just a little sugar and plenty of dried fruit, this bread has been an Irish favourite, especially with children, for generations.

It’s essentially a white soda bread recipe with added fruit and sugar and needs to be eaten the day it is made – which shouldn’t present a problem!

Made with plenty of fruit, nuts and Irish Whiskey and topped with marzipan and white frosting, the Christmas cake is a central part of Christmas in Ireland.

This recipe is a tried and trusted one which I have made for many years and which is packed with fruit and booze.

With its rich fruit and the plentiful addition of whiskey, this pudding has an important place at the table in any traditional Irish Christmas

It’s often called Plum Pudding, but it doesn’t actually contain any plums. Many pudding recipes use suet but I prefer this lighter butter-based version.