Can you tell me more about some traditional Irish Christmas foods?

Of course! You’ll find many classic Christmas dishes with an Irish twist that are sure to make a fine addition to your Christmas feast.

One of the best has to be porter cake. Contrary to most fruit cakes, porter cake is moist and rich making it the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Prepare it a few weeks before Christmas, then keep it in an airtight tin and topped with a small amount of whiskey, brandy, or ale to keep the cake from drying out before being served.

Fancy a drink to ward away the winter chills? A hot whiskey is the perfect drink to enjoy after a cold winter walk or even a traditional Christmas swim. All it takes is a shot of whiskey, a slice of lemon studded with cloves along with some honey, finished with some hot water. Smooth and hot this drink will warm you all the way down to your toes!

Next up, spiced beef is an absolute must at Christmas! Whilst it’s not a complicated dish, it does require some preparation and patience, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Combine all the spices and rub over the beef leaving it to marinate for 8 days, turning daily and basting with the excess marinade. Then, when it’s ready to cook, wipe off the excess marinade, cover in water and bring to a boil for approximately 2 hours. Allow to cool and serve as you would ham! Warm and tender, this beef is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Enjoy on its own or plate it with some soda bread, redcurrant sauce and fresh greens to make a tasty sandwich.

And it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without an Irish coffee. Brew your favourite coffee and simply add a dash of your choice of Irish whiskey, then sweeten with sugar, add some hot water, give it a stir and pour over some whipped cream on the back of a spoon (the secret to a smooth creamy topping!). 

Do any of our community members have a favourite Christmas recipe to share?