Welcome to Ireland!
As part of our homeschool Tasty Geography curriculum, we’re journeying around the world through food—one country at a time! This week, we took a virtual trip to Ireland. We learned about the rich culture, the stunning landscapes, and of course, the hearty, comforting foods that Ireland is famous for. From iconic desserts to savory stews, here's a taste of what we made in our kitchen as we explored Irish cuisine!
Iconic Dishes We Tried
 |
1. Irish Apple Cake
About the Dish:
This rustic dessert is a staple in Irish households. Made with tart apples and buttermilk, it’s the perfect combination of warm and cozy flavors. Traditionally served with custard, Irish apple cake is the ultimate comfort dessert.
Our Experience:
This cake was simple to make and filled the house with the most amazing smell. Nate had fun helping slice the apples and gave it a 4.2 after a few bites. He's not the biggest cooked apple fan. I absolutely loved it—especially with the homemade custard on top!
Fun Facts:
Apple Cake is an Irish favorite, especially during apple harvest season in the fall.
 |
2. Irish Beef Stew
About the Dish:
Irish beef stew is a rich and hearty dish made with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. The slow-cooked meat and vegetables create a flavorful, comforting meal perfect for cooler days. Adding Guinness beer is what makes it Irish!
Our Experience:
This was the star of the week for me! The beef was incredibly tender, and the stew was so flavorful, it warmed us from the inside out. Nate wasn’t as excited about the beef, but he did take a teensy tiny bite before rating it a 2.5. This dish will definitely be making a return in our kitchen for me throughout the winter months.
Fun Facts:
Guinness, often referred to as "the black stuff," has been brewed in Dublin since 1759 and is so intertwined with Irish culture that it's even been used to elevate classic dishes like Irish beef stew!
3. Soda Bread
About the Dish:
Soda bread is a traditional Irish quick bread made with just a few basic ingredients—flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. It has a dense texture and is perfect for serving alongside soups or stews.
Our Experience:
We baked up a quick batch to go with the beef stew, and it was a winner! Nate rated it a 9.8, which is a pretty high score from him! It's also the only thing he's asked me to remake so far. The crusty exterior with the soft inside made it ideal for dipping into the stew but it was even better covered in Kerrygold butter. Nate also tried some Kerrygold Gouda with it which he rated a 6.5. Bonus: no yeast required, which made it quick and easy.
Fun Facts:
If you're making two different recipes at once and accidentally add corn starch to your soda bread dough, it turns out just fine. Ireland's soft wheat is low in gluten, so baking soda made it quick and easy to make bread without yeast.
 |
4. Irish Oatmeal
About the Dish:
Irish oatmeal is known for its nutty flavor and chewy texture, made from steel-cut oats. It’s a simple yet satisfying breakfast, often topped with cream, honey, or fruit.
Our Experience:
Breakfast for the win! This oatmeal is heartier than what we’re used to, but it was a nice change. I added a good bit of brown sugar, apples, and nutmeg. It got a low 3.2 from Nate, but that's to be expected. I loved the texture and have been enjoying it every morning this week.
Fun Facts:
Unlike rolled oats, which are steamed and flattened, Irish oats are minimally processed by cutting the oat groat into pieces, giving them a nuttier flavor and chewier texture.
 |
Honorable Mentions:
- Irish Chocolate Chip Shortbread (9.9, he doesn't love the shortbread texture but still enjoyed the cookies)
- Keogh's Irish Potato Chips: Irish Whiskey Barbecue (-162.2, a very strong whiskey flavor and not much barbecue), Cheesy Onion (8.7), Truffle with Irish Butter (7.6)
- Butlers Irish Chocolate Bars: Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate (4.2, not sweet and quite salty, I loved it though) and Honeycomb Crisp Milk Chocolate (10)
What We Learned About Ireland Through Its Food
Exploring Irish cuisine brought us a comforting sense of tradition. The hearty, wholesome ingredients, like potatoes, oats, and beef, felt familiar, yet with a distinctly Irish twist. Ireland's culinary roots are steeped in simple, rustic dishes that highlight the best of its local ingredients. While nothing we made was too surprising, it was fascinating to see how traditional foods like soda bread and Irish stew have remained a central part of Irish life for centuries. And of course, Guinness and potatoes will always be the go-to symbols when we think of Ireland! Trying these dishes gave us a taste of Ireland's history and how food continues to bring people together across generations.
Recipe Links & Resources
If you’re feeling inspired to try some of these dishes at home, here are the recipes we used:
- Irish Apple Cake Recipe
- Irish Beef Stew Recipe
- Soda Bread Recipe
- Irish Oatmeal: We just followed the instructions on the bag and added fruit and spices after.
Additional Resources:
- This Is Ireland by Miroslav Sasek
- National Geographic Kids: Ireland
- The Best of West Ireland: Dingle, Galway, and the Aran Island
- We watched some movies, The Luck of the Irish and Riverdance, just for fun.
Bringing the World to Your Kitchen
Ireland's simple, comforting foods left a lasting impression. We loved exploring the flavors of this country, and we can’t wait to dive into England next week! Do you have any favorite Irish dishes we should have tried? Stay tuned for our next adventure!
