Cooking with Guinness: delicious recipes for St Patrick's Day

[Dani ♡]

 

Whether you're Irish, of Irish ancestry, or just like wearing comedy leprechaun hats, St Patrick's Day is undoubtedly one of the best excuses for a knees-up. The drink of choice, of course, is always Guinness - but before you knock back every pint you can lay your hands on, why not consider using a splash of it in your cooking too? First made in the late 18th century, the Irish stout lends itself to a whole variety of dishes, both savoury and sweet. It is perhaps showcased the best in a traditional beef stew, Irish or otherwise, where it takes the place of the usual red wine or cider, and gives the dish a moreish, umami depth. At Avoca, a po[CENSORED]r cafe and food hall chain in Ireland, the also use it in a sweet, dense treacle bread which pairs wonderfully with smoked trout.

Though putting a bitter drink in a cake might sound madness, Guinness chocolate cake - made famous by Nigella - is a moist, grown-up treat with a lovely tang. Our version below adds a touch of ginger for a spicy kick. Once you're finished in the kitchen, ofcourse, any leftover Guinness is a chef's perk. Happy cooking.