Maureen Butler, Meath: Bridge-playing mother of four

　　As a child growing up in Dublin, we always had this served to us at the end of the week when all that was left were rashers, sausages and potatoes. Everything was put into the one pot and cooked. It was delicious, particularly on a cold winter's day.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 6

　　2kg (4 1/2lb) potatoes, peeled

　　500ml (1 pint) boiled water

　　1 ham, chicken or beef stock cube (optional)

　　450g (1lb) good quality pork sausages

　　450g (1lb) piece thick-cut bacon

　　2 large onions, sliced

　　1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

　　salt and coarse ground pepper to serve

　　

to serve

fresh soda bread

　　

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2.

　　

Step 2

2. Cut any larger potatoes into three or four pieces, leaving smaller ones whole so that they will cook evenly. Dissolve the stock cube in the boiled water, if using.

　　

Step 3

3. Grill the sausages and bacon long enough to colour them but taking care not to dry them out. Drain on paper towels and chop the bacon into 2 1/2cm (1in) pieces. You can chop the sausages into bite-sized pieces, though some prefer to leave them whole.

　　

Step 4

4. In a large ovenproof casserole dish with a tight lid, layer the onions, bacon, sausages and potatoes, seasoning each layer liberally with pepper and parsley. Continue until the ingredients are used up and pour the hot water or bouillon mixture over the top.

　　

Step 5

5. On the stove, bring the liquid to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and cover the pot. You may like to put a layer of foil underneath the pot lid to help seal it.

　　

Step 6

6. Place the covered pot in preheated oven and cook for at least three hours (up to four or five hours will not hurt it). After two hours, check liquid levels and add more water if necessary. There should be about an inch of liquid at the bottom of the pot at all times.

　　

Step 7

7. Serve hot with fresh soda bread to mop up the lovely gravy.

　　ICA TIP

　　Pork sausages are best bought from a local butcher.

　　Reprinted with permission from Irish Country Cooking: More than 100 Recipes for Today's Table by The Irish Countrywomen's Association. © 2012 Irish Countrywomen's Trust. This Sterling Epicure Edition published in 2014.