The potato and Ireland have a love affair that goes back centuries! Introduced to Ireland in the 16th century, this ingredient quickly became a staple on every Irish table. Easy to grow, even on very small, difficult-to-cultivate plots, these potatoes quickly became a means of subsistence for the Irish for centuries! Since then, the potato has been considered the spearhead of Irish gastronomy. It’s everywhere: in their savoury dishes, in their bread… And it’s cooked with real savoir-faire! If you too would like to discover some of Ireland’s greatest specialities, here’s a look at some of the best Irish potato dishes! We warn you: you’ll be salivating at the mere mention of them!
Fish and chips in Ireland – © Dmytro_Mykhailov
Fish and chips in Ireland… A classic that rhymes with gourmet pleasure and simplicity! So yes, we all know that fish and chips is a bit like its more famous British cousin, but in Ireland they give it a twist all their own, especially in coastal towns where the fish has probably traveled less distance than you to get to your plate.
Imagine: a fresh fish of the day, caught with love, coated in a golden breading and fried until it reaches crispy nirvana. Alongside, fries – and not just any fries – Irish potato fries, the real stars of the dish. They’re crispy and melting, a real treat for your taste buds! They play the balancing act, offering the perfect counterpoint to the tenderness of the fish, whether hake, haddock or haddock (choose your champion!).
And here, the harmony of taste is revealed in all its splendor: the creaminess of the potatoes deliciously coats the bold flavors of the fish. It’s simple, but it’s almost poetry on a plate, a testament to Irish know-how when it comes to sublimating the potato.
To spice things up, a host of condiments are available: tartar sauce, malt vinegar, ketchup… There’s no shame in going all out!
Prices range from €7 to €12. There’s nothing like a good fish and chips in a friendly pub, or grabbed on the go from a local snack bar. In Ireland, fish and chips is like fast food by the sea, but with a charm and flavor all its own!
Colcannon – © FomaA
Irish stew served at Five Points in Belfast
Irish Stew is an Irish institution! Imagine a stew so comforting it could almost make you forget a typically Irish rainy, gray sky!
At the heart of this marvel is the potato, the real superstar of the dish. It’s not just on the list of ingredients; it’s the very soul of Irish Stew. Like an orchestra conductor, it directs the flavors of the other ingredients: mutton or lamb, onions, and often carrots, all cooked with love and patience.
In Irish Stew, the potatoes add consistency, thickening the broth to create a rich yet melt-in-the-mouth texture. Each bite is a harmony of flavors, a gustatory ballet where potatoes dance with meat and vegetables.
Served in a pub or restaurant, Irish Stew is the perfect dish for a rainy day, when you need a little warmth and comfort. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a big, cozy sweater, sitting by the fire with a good book. In Ireland, Irish Stew is more than a meal, it’s a culinary experience that warms you from the inside out.
A Shepherd’s pie – Alex9500
Shepherd’s Pie is like the best-kept secret of Irish cuisine. Less well known to tourists, but just as cherished by locals, it is one of the great classics of local gastronomy. And in this story, the potato is the real heroine.
Imagine a layer of minced meat, often lamb (to stay true to the name), simmered with onions, carrots and sometimes peas. So far, so good. But it’s the top layer that transforms this dish into a real star: mashed potatoes so smooth, so creamy, they could almost make you forget all your worries.
This mashed potato isn’t just for show. Baked in the oven until golden and crispy, it offers a striking contrast to the richness of the meat underneath. Each bite is a journey to the heart of gourmet pleasure, a perfect balance between the comfort of mashed potatoes and the character of meat.
So, yes, Shepherd’s Pie is a bit like an Irish-style shepherd’s pie, but with a charm all its own. It’s the kind of dish that, once tasted, makes you feel like you’ve been adopted by Ireland.
You could almost be caught whispering promises never to leave this land of flavor and warmth.
In short, Shepherd’s Pie is not just a meal, it’s an experience, a journey into the heart of Ireland, a dish that warms the soul as much as the stomach.
A Boxty with smoked salmon – © pavel siamionov
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