Stirabout

Featured in several of James Joyce’s works, the stirabout is a delicious Irish breakfast. Checking out the ingredient list, it’s hard to understand why Stephen Dedalus was so mopey. We can only guess that he didn’t add enough cream & brandy to his bowl.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup Irish steel cut oats
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup Irish whiskey or brandy
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 8 Tbsp cream
  • 4 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 cup fresh berries

METHOD

  1. The night before, boil two cups of water and salt, add oatmeal, stir and turn off the heat.
  2. Cover the pot and leave overnight.
  3. In a second pan, bring corn syrup and brandy to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. Add raisins and simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Cover and set-aside until morning.
  6. The next morning, bring oats to a brisk boil and cook until they are just tender.
  7. Meanwhile, place 2 Tbsp of cream, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp butter, and 1 Tbsp drained raisins in each bowl.
  8. Add hot cooked oats and top with fresh berries.

Serve, allowing each person to unveil the tasty surprise awaiting below.

  

Posted on September 9, 2015 and filed under breakfast.