For some, March 17 is all about drinking green beer to the skirls of bagpipes, but those who appreciate cooking and eating global cuisines, celebrate Eat Like an Irishman Day. It’s all about the food on the table.
Leave the corned beef at the market. Beef was a luxury in Ireland that most couldn’t afford. To truly eat like an Irishman, you will literally need to bring home the bacon. Bacon, ham and lamb were served at the Irish table.
Take note. Sam is not a leprechaun, Dr. Seuss was not Irish. Green eggs and ham should not apply to your celebratory repast, because dying everything from bagels to beer evokes images of a dark time in history for Ireland’s native inhabitants.
Once you’ve banished green food coloring and corned beef from the kitchen, you’re ready to prepare some authentic Irish fare.
Host a dinner party to celebrate Eat Like an Irishman Day. Entrées to consider include shepherd’s pie, stew, coddle and seafood. Colcannon, a popular potatoes and cabbage dish, is the perfect accompaniment.
If you choose to serve boiled cabbage, stick to Irish tradition and boil it with bacon. And please don’t forget grandmother’s recipe for classic soda bread.
One undisputed truth about the Irish is their love for liquor. Whether it’s coffee, whiskey or stout, no meal is complete without a few shots of liquor to smoothly wash down a stick-to-your-ribs meal.
On Eat Like an Irishman Day, honor their culinary traditions. Eat and drink hardy. Don’t drive off in hot pursuit of a leprechaun only you can see, but do prepare a very good excuse for not showing up to work the next day.
