Food fit for a President: Six American-style recipes to mark Joe Biden’s trip to Ireland

From a classic mac and cheese to an Irish twist on the beloved s'more, here are some tasty treats to tie in with Biden’s Irish visit

US-style recipes to try when Joe Biden visits Ireland

American-style sloppy joes

recipe by:Neven Maguire

This is a version of a sandwich that is an all-American classic, consisting of minced beef cooked in a spicy tomato sauce, often with the addition of kidney beans

Servings

4

Preparation Time

 20 mins

Cooking Time

 20 mins

Total Time

 40 mins

Course

 Main

Cuisine

 American

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil

• 50g raw chorizo, diced 

• 350g lean minced beef 

• 1 small onion, finely chopped 

• 1 green pepper, diced 

• 1 fresh small green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (optional) 

• 140g tomato purée 

• 3 tbsp dark brown muscovado sugar 

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 

• 1 tbsp honey 

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard 

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 

• 1 × 400g tin of kidney beans in chilli sauce 

• 4-6 burger buns 

• 1 Little Gem lettuce, shredded 

• 100g cheddar cheese, grated 

• handful of mixed hot chillies in brine or sliced jalapeño chillies, drained (optional) 

• sea salt

• freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook until it just starts to release its oil, then add the minced beef. Stir-fry until the meat starts to brown, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon. Add the onion, green pepper and chilli (if using) and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the vegetables are beginning to soften.

2. Add the tomato purée, sugar, vinegar, honey, mustard and Worcestershire sauce and stir until well combined, then stir in the beans. Season to taste, then bring to a simmer and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is nice and thick.

3. Toast the burger buns under the grill. Arrange the lettuce on the bottom of each bun, then spoon over the sloppy Joe beef mixture. Scatter the grated cheddar on top with the hot chillies (if using), then sandwich together with the tops of the buns.
   
   Neven Maguire’s bestselling Midweek Meals is published by Gill Books, priced €22.99

 

American buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup

recipe by:Darina Allen

Treat yourself to a delectable brunch with these fluffy American pancakes with a generous drizzle of maple syrup and pieces of crispy bacon

Servings

6

Preparation Time

 10 mins

Cooking Time

 10 mins

Total Time

 20 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 250ml buttermilk

• 1 egg

• 15g butter, melted

• 150g plain white flour

• pinch of salt

• 1 tsp bread soda

• To serve:

• butter

• 12-18 pieces crispy bacon

• maple syrup or honey

Method

1. Mix the buttermilk, egg and melted butter in a large bowl, until smooth and blended.

2. Sieve the flour, salt and baking soda together, stir into the buttermilk until the ingredients are barely combined, don’t worry about the lumps. Do not over mix or the pancakes will be heavy.

3. Heat a heavy iron or non-stick pan until medium hot. Grease with a little clarified butter. Spoon 2 generous tablespoons of batter onto the pan, spread slightly with the back of the spoon to a round about 7.5cm across.

4. Cook until the bubbles rise and break on the top of the pancake (about a minute). Flip over gently. Cook until pale golden on the other side. Spread each with butter.

5. Serve a stack of three with crispy streaky bacon and maple syrup.