Wales, a land of stunning landscapes and rich history, is also home to a vibrant culinary scene. With its hearty, flavourful dishes, Welsh cuisine is perfect for warming up on a cold winter’s day. Here are five iconic Welsh dishes that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen.
We’ve included basic ingredients, but we recommend you search online for a recommended recipe with exact quantities and preparation instructions.
1. Welsh Cawl
A quintessential winter warmer, cawl is a hearty soup or stew that has been a staple of Welsh cuisine for centuries. Traditionally made with lamb or mutton, leeks, carrots, potatoes, and herbs, cawl is a comforting and satisfying dish. To add depth of flavour, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of dried thyme.
Ingredients:
- Lamb or mutton, diced
- Leeks, sliced
- Carrots, diced
- Potatoes, diced
- Herbs (thyme, bay leaf)
- Vegetable or lamb stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the meat in a large pan or casserole.
- Add the leeks, carrots, and potatoes to the pot.
- Pour in the stock and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy with crusty bread and Welsh butter!
2. Welsh Rarebit
A decadent indulgence, Welsh rarebit is a melted cheese dish, typically served on toasted bread and flavoured with mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and ale. For a truly indulgent experience, use a strong, flavourful cheese like Cheddar or Red Leicester.
Ingredients:
- Strong cheddar cheese, grated
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk or cream
- Mustard powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ale
- Toasted bread
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan.
- Stir in the flour to make a roux.
- Gradually add the milk or cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add the grated cheese, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and ale.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the toasted bread
- Pop under a hot grill until it is slightly browned and bubbling.
3. Welsh Cakes
These sweet, flat cakes are a beloved Welsh treat. Traditionally made with flour, butter, sugar, and currants, Welsh cakes are perfect for a festive afternoon tea or a quick snack. For a modern twist, try adding chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts to the dough.
Ingredients:
- Plain flour
- Butter
- Sugar
- Currants
- Baking powder
- Milk
Instructions:
- Combine the flour, butter, sugar, currants and baking powder in a bowl.
- Gradually add milk to form a dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut into rounds.
- Cook the cakes on a griddle or frying pan over medium heat.
4. Bara Brith
A traditional Welsh tea loaf, bara brith is a rich, fruity bread that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. It’s made with dried fruit, spices, and butter, and is often enjoyed with butter and cheese. To enhance the flavour, consider adding a splash of rum or whisky to the dough.
Ingredients:
- Strong white bread flour
- Dried fruit (raisins, currants, mixed peel)
- Butter
- Sugar
- Strong black tea
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, mixed spice)
Instructions:
- Brew a strong pot of black tea and let it cool.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Cut the butter into small cubes and rub it into the flour mixture.
- Add the tea to the dry ingredients and mix to form a dough.
- Shape the dough into a loaf, place in a tin and bake in a preheated oven.
5. Crempogs
A Welsh take on the traditional pancake, crempogs are thin, crispy pancakes that are often served with sugar, lemon juice, and butter. They’re a delicious and easy-to-make treat. Not just for pancake day, enjoy them as a winter breakfast or pudding treat!
Ingredients:
- Plain flour
- Milk (or buttermilk)
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
- Warm the buttermilk, then add the butter and let it melt.
- Whisk together the flour and buttermilk.
- Leave the mixture to stand for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine sugar, baking soda, salt and vinegar, then stir into the beaten eggs.
- Combine with the flour and buttermilk mixture until you have a smooth batter.
- Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve with sugar, lemon juice and butter.
By trying these delicious Welsh dishes, you can bring a taste of Wales into your own home. So, why not gather your family and friends, and enjoy a festive feast with a Welsh twist?
