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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a traditional Irish menu with recipes for you to enjoy.

Starter: Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly flour a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir in the buttermilk until the dough comes together.
3. Turn onto a floured surface and knead gently. Form into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cut a cross on the top.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let cool on a wire rack.

Main Course: Beef and Guinness Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.9 oz) Guinness Stout
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions:

1. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then toss with flour to coat. Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the beef in batches. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add onions and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Return the beef to the pot. Add the Guinness, beef broth, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
4. Adjust seasoning to taste and remove bay leaves before serving.

Dessert: Irish Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp sugar (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add sugar and mix.
3. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the beaten eggs and milk to form a thick batter.
4. Fold in the apple slices. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Mix the cinnamon and 2 tbsp sugar, and sprinkle over the top.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day feast with these traditional Irish dishes!