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A real Irish stew By Tim McTague and Ann Katzenbach
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in this country and abroad, wherever Irish folk live. It’s a happy holiday, signified by green clothing, green beer, parades, and corned beef. Almost none of these modern activities or menu items have much to do with Saint Patrick, or even Ireland, but historic correctness would spoil the fun.
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im McTague, who has lived under a toadstool in Little Compton for many years, has Irish blood that comes here by way of Ontario, Canada, where his Irish ancestors emigrated in 1827. Tim, a chef, poet, musician, mimic, comedian, carpenter, welder, and artist, has studied his native culture and declares that corned beef is a fictitious Irish dish and that Irish stew served with the potato dish called colcannon is a far better example of what the Irish would cook for a celebration. Irish stew is made with lamb, an easier meat to get hold of than a steer or cow. It also incorporates Guinness stout, an Irish staple. Tim has his own version of this winter stew that he refined for you so you can have a real Irish meal on Saint Paddy’s day. Serve it with Irish soda bread and perhaps a leprechaun will stop in for supper.
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Steamed, boiled, mashed, or brined – it’s all delicious when you make it right!
Authentic Irish Soda Bread Nothing fancy here, but you can add raisins if you’re feeling expansive. Best eaten hot from the oven. 3½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon fine sea salt
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¾ teaspoon baking soda
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1½ cups buttermilk (buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to provide the bread’s leavening and adds a wonderful flavor)
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Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Use your hand or a large spoon to mix the flour into the milk and make a soft dough that will be a little sticky. Turn the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Wash your hands if you used them. Knead the dough lightly for a few seconds, then pat the dough into a round (about 1.5” thick). Place it on a buttered baking sheet
March 2020 | The South Coast Insider
and using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross in the center reaching all the way to the sides. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 400 and continue to bake until the top is golden brown – about 30 more minutes.
