Irish stew variations: Add 120 g whole small button mushrooms, layering them in the casserole with the onion and carrots. • If you want the cooking liquid to be slightly thickened, sprinkle 1 tablespoon pearl barley between the first few layers along with the herbs. • For a real taste of Ireland, you can replace half of the stock with Guinness.
Per serving: 383 calories, 33 g protein, 10 g total fat, 5 g saturated fat, 89 mg cholesterol, 39 g total carbohydrate, 12 g sugars, 9 g fibre, 583 mg sodium
Carrots are not traditional in Irish stew, but they are well worth including, both for their colour and flavour and also their nutritional properties. They provide vitamins A and C as well as potassium.