Corned beef hash/Photo byGin Lee

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Corned Beef Hash

In the USA, corned beef consumption is often associated with St. Patrick's Day. Corned beef is not a national Irish dish, and the link to St. Patrick's Day comes specifically from Irish-American culture. It is often part of their North American celebrations. Generally, in Ireland, on St. Patrick's Day, the meal of choice would probably be a delicious pot of Irish stew or a yummy shepherd's pie.

Corned beef was used to replace bacon by immigrants from Ireland at the end of the 19th century. Corned beef and cabbage are the Irish-American alternative to the Irish bacon and cabbage dish.

I don't add cabbage to my corned beef hash. Instead, I use potatoes. This dish is delicious when served for breakfast, especially with sunny-side-up eggs, but it can be served for lunch and supper as well.

Cornbeef hash and eggs/Photo byGin Lee

Ingredients:

• 6-8 red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large can of corned beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 cup of hot water
• 2 cubes of beef bouillon
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

First, make a quick beef broth by adding two beef bouillon cubes to one cup of hot water and stirring until the bouillon dissolves. Set aside.

Now, peel and dice the potatoes and onion.

Preparing cornbeef hash/Photo byGin Lee

In a large skillet, combine the diced potatoes, corned beef pieces, diced onion, beef broth, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook over medium heat. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer until the potatoes are cooked throughout and the broth is completely reduced. Stir often.

In the USA, generally, boiled cabbage is served as a side dish to corned beef hash. This morning, I decided to serve the hash with eggs.

Resources:

Rozzen, Michael. “Fact or Fiction: Corned Beef and Cabbage an American Creation?” ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV, ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV, 18 Mar. 2022, https://www.10news.com/news/fact-or-fiction/fact-or-fiction-corned-beef-and-cabbage-an-american-creation.

bridget_shirvell_1016 By Bridget Shirvell Updated February 28, 2023. “What the Irish Eat on St. Patrick's Day (Hint: It's Not Corned Beef).” Martha Stewart, 2023, https://www.marthastewart.com/1512149/what-do-irish-eat-st-patricks-day.