Slow Cooker Irish Coddle Food

IRISH CODDLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Add the bacon to a large Dutch oven and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders, about 10 minutes. Add the sausage and increase the heat to medium high. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon and sausage are nicely browned, about 10 more minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon and sausage to a plate.
• Drain the fat from the pot and return it to medium heat. Add the onions, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup water. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits from the bottom and sides of the pot, then sprinkle the onions with 1 tablespoon of the parsley and plenty of black pepper. Layer the bacon and sausage over the onions and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley and more black pepper. Layer the potatoes over the meat and add enough water to submerge everything but the potatoes, about 2 cups. Season the potato layer with a pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley. Bring the liquid to a boil (don't stir!), then cover and transfer to the oven. Bake, checking halfway to add more water if needed, until the onions are very tender and caramelized and the liquid has reduced slightly, about 2 hours.
• Finish with a pour of stout, if using, and a final garnish of the remaining parsley. Serve immediately with soda bread.

IRISH CODDLE

Steps:

• Brown the sausages and bacon in a frying pan for a few minutes. Place half the sausages and bacon in the bottom of a large, oven proof casserole
• Add half the onions, potatoes, carrots, salt, pepper and parsley . Add another layer of meat and vegetables, season to taste
• Cover with a lid and cook in a slow oven (180 degress, gas mark 3) for about 2 hours
• Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes and dot the top layer with butter (this allows the top layer to colour and crisp up)