Irish Fare

Prairie Recipes

                                                       By Collette

A typical Irish main dish might be the following for Shepard’s Pie.

 Shepard’s Pie

1 pound ground beef                                            2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups mashed potatoes, hot                                4 cups frozen mixed vegetables,
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed                                  thawed
1 cup shredded cheddar                                       1 cup beef gravy

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain. Mix potatoes, cream cheese, ½ grated cheddar and garlic until well-blended. Stir vegetables and gravy into meat. Spoon into a 9 inch square baking pan. Cover with potato mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serves: 4

The following simple recipe for beer bread would be delicious with any main dish.

Beer Bread

3 cups flour, sifted*                                                ¼ cup of granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder                                    1-(12 ounce) can of beer
1 teaspoon salt                                                        ½ cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients and beer. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Pour melted butter over the mixture. Bake for one hour. Remove from pan immediately and cool at least 15 minutes. Yield: 1 loaf

*Be sure to sift flour. Flour is compacted without sifting, and that changes the texture of the bread.