Traditional Irish Stew

"Then hurrah for an Irish Stew that will stick to your belly like glue!" - Old Irish Saying

(image via here)

Ingredients:

• 4 potatoes, thinly sliced
• 4 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 6 carrots, sliced
• 1 lb. canadian bacon, chopped
• 3 lbs. lamb chops or beef for stew, 1-inch thick, trimmed, and cut into small pieces
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 4 potatoes, halved
• fresh parsley, finely chopped

1. To make Irish stew, all the ingredients are assembled in layers in a large stew pot.
2. Begin with layers of sliced potatoes, onions, and carrots.
3. Top with a layer of Canadian bacon and lamb.
4. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
5. Repeat these steps until all the ingredients are used.
6. Arrange the halved potatoes on top of the stew, but not in contact with the water, so they can steam as the rest is cooking.
7. Simmer over a very low heat for about 2 hours.
8. Sprinkle liberally with the chopped parsley and serve in soup bowls.

Serve with bread.

Speak Irish during dinner! Here are a few phrases:

Thank you.
Go raibh maith agat.  [Pronunciation: Guh row mah aguth (row as in cow)]

You're welcome.
Tá fáilte romhat.  [Pronunciation: Thaw foil-cheh roath]

Hello.
Dia dhuit.  [Pronunciation: Djee-ah gwitch]

What is your name?
Cad is ainm duit?  [Pronunciation: Codh is anam gwitch]

My name is Tiffany.
Tiffany is ainm dom.  [Pronunciation: Tiffany is aman dhum]

How are you?
Conas tá tú?  [Pronunciation: Kunas thaw thoo]

I am fine.
Tá me go maith.  [Pronunciation: Thaw may guh mah]