Hearty Dublin Comfort Coddle
Experience the time-honored flavors of Ireland with this Hearty Dublin Comfort Coddle, a traditional stew that has warmed the hearts and homes of Dubliners since the 18th century. Rich in history, this dish, favored by Jonathan Swift himself, combines the savory taste of premium pork sausages, thick-cut bacon, onions, and tender potatoes. Designed to be slow-cooked to perfection, this quintessential city dish allows for preparation ahead of time, making it ideal for bustling lifestyles. Whether it's gently cooking all day or prepared in a crockpot, the coddle's simplicity delivers an astonishing depth of flavor that's lauded as the epitome of comfort food. Traditionally served with a side of Irish soda bread and a pint of Guinness, this coddle is sure to bring warmth to your gatherings. Sláinte!
6 servings
Servings
600
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Potatoes
2 kg (peeled and cut if large)
Large Onions
2 (peeled and sliced thickly)
Good Quality Pork Sausages
450 g (grilled or broiled)
Thick Cut Bacon
450 g (grilled or broiled, chopped into 1-inch pieces)
Water
500 ml (boiled)
Stock Cube
1 (dissolved in water)
Fresh Parsley
3-4 tablespoons (chopped)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Coarse-Ground Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling and preparing your potatoes. Cut larger potatoes into 3-4 chunks, leaving smaller ones whole. Finely chop the fresh parsley. Bring 500 ml of water to a boil and dissolve the stock cube of your choice (beef or chicken) within.
2
Grill or broil both the sausages and the thick-cut bacon until just browned. Ensure you do not overcook as this could lead to dryness. Once done, let them drain briefly on paper towels. Proceed to cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces. Optionally, sausages can be left whole or chopped into large chunks based on preference.
3
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Using a large flameproof heavy pot with a secure lid, begin the process of layering your ingredients starting with onions, followed by bacon, sausages (or sausage pieces), and finally, potatoes. As you layer, generously season each layer with coarse-ground pepper and freshly chopped parsley.
4
Once all the layers are completed, pour the prepared stock over the top of your layered pot. Place the pot on the stove and bring the liquid to a boil. Then, reduce the heat immediately and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. For added steam retention, you may place a layer of foil between the lid and the pot.
5
Transfer the covered pot into the preheated oven and let it cook for a minimum of 3 hours. Cooking for up to 5 hours is perfectly acceptable and may enhance the flavors. At the halfway mark — around 2 hours — inspect the liquid levels; ensure approximately 1 inch of liquid remains at the pot's base and add more water if necessary.
6
When serving, consider pairing this hearty coddle with a glass of Guinness, whether bottled or draft. A splash of Guinness added into the pot toward the end of cooking could amplify the flavors. Complement this dish with fresh Irish soda bread for a true taste of Ireland.
Nutrition Information
27g
Fat
67g
Carbs
27g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Dublin Comfort Coddle?
Hearty Dublin Comfort Coddle is a traditional Irish stew from the 18th century, combining pork sausages, bacon, onions, and potatoes in a slow-cooked dish.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients are potatoes, large onions, high-quality pork sausages, thick-cut bacon, stock, and fresh parsley.
Which famous figure is associated with Dublin Coddle?
Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels, was famously a fan of this traditional Dublin dish.
How long does it take to cook Hearty Dublin Comfort Coddle?
The dish should be cooked in a preheated oven for a minimum of 3 hours, though it can go up to 5 hours to enhance the flavors.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The recipe recommends preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C).
How should the potatoes be prepared?
Potatoes should be peeled, with larger ones cut into 3-4 chunks while smaller ones can be left whole.
Do I need to brown the meat before stewing?
Yes, you should grill or broil both the sausages and the thick-cut bacon until just browned before layering them in the pot.
What type of stock should be used?
You can use either a beef or chicken stock cube dissolved in 500 ml of boiling water.
What is the correct layering order for the ingredients?
Layer the ingredients starting with onions, then bacon, followed by sausages, and finally the potatoes.
How do you season the coddle?
Generously season each layer with coarse-ground pepper and freshly chopped parsley.
What can be done to ensure maximum steam retention during cooking?
Placing a layer of foil between the pot and the lid before placing it in the oven helps retain steam.
How much liquid should remain at the base of the pot?
You should ensure approximately 1 inch of liquid remains at the bottom; check this at the halfway mark and add more water if needed.
Can I use a crockpot for this recipe?
Yes, this quintessential city dish is ideal for slow-cooking and can be prepared in a crockpot.
What are the traditional side dishes for Dublin Coddle?
It is traditionally served with fresh Irish soda bread and a pint of Guinness.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
What is the nutritional protein content?
Each serving of this hearty coddle provides 27g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 27g per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 67g of carbohydrates in each serving.
Can alcohol be added to the recipe?
A splash of Guinness added to the pot toward the end of cooking can amplify the flavors of the dish.
How should the onions be prepared?
The onions should be peeled and sliced thickly for the base layer.
Should the sausages be chopped?
Sausages can be left whole or chopped into large chunks based on your personal preference.
How big should the bacon pieces be?
After browning, the thick-cut bacon should be chopped into 1-inch pieces.
Is salt required in the recipe?
Salt is included as an ingredient to be used to taste for seasoning.
How much parsley is needed?
The recipe calls for 3-4 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley.
What is the weight of the sausages needed?
The recipe requires 450 g of good quality pork sausages.
How many onions are used?
The recipe uses 2 large onions.
What weight of potatoes is required?
You will need 2 kg of potatoes for this recipe.
When should you check the liquid levels?
It is recommended to inspect the liquid levels at the halfway mark, which is around 2 hours into cooking.
Is this dish suitable for preparing ahead of time?
Yes, its slow-cooking nature and depth of flavor make it ideal for preparing ahead for busy lifestyles.