15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (2024)

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By

Elaine Lemm

15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (1)

Elaine Lemm

Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.

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Updated on 06/26/19

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15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (2)

In Wales, March 1st is St. David's Day. A day to honor Wales's patron saint, St. David, a Celtic monk who spread the word of Christianity across this region in the 6th century. During this day, the Welsh celebrate with fabulous regional food and drink.

On the day of, the Welsh will wear either a daffodil or a leek, two national emblems of Wales. The leek is associated with St. David. It also acquired mystic claims that girls who slept with a leek under their pillow on St. David's Day would see their future husband in their dreams. No wonder then that leeks feature heavily in St. David's Day Recipes and Welsh food.

Wales may be the smallest country in the British Isles, but this in no way reflects on the vast array of excellent cuisineto eat and drink. The Welsh are famous on a global scale for their meats and seafood, their cheeses are unique, and they even produce a delicious wine at Llanerch Vineyard near Cardiff.

  • 01 of 15

    Welsh Breakfast Pancakes (Crempog)

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (3)

    The Welsh do love a good pancake for breakfast. These Crempogs—as they are called in Welsh—more resemble an American pancake than a usual British one and as they are so delicious, are far too good just to be eaten in the morning. Serve them just as you wouldany other pancake, with honey, homemadejam, or a little squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar.

  • Welsh Breakfast Laver

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (4)

    As is common across Britain, a full breakfast is the expected meal on any special day, and St. David's isnodifferent. Laver Cakes are an essential part of a Welsh breakfast and are cooked as a side dish alongside roast meats. The cakes are a deliciousmix of seaweed (fresh or canned), oatmeal, and fat, making them both hearty and tasty fare.

  • 03 of 15

    Welsh Leek and Stilton Soup

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (5)

    Leek and potato soup is a world classic, but the Welsh have claimed a version for themselves with theaddition ofa little Stilton cheese. Warming and hearty, this is a must for St. David's and you will be delighted at how easy it is to make. Plus, make the Welsh Leek and Stilton soup in advance and freeze, to make your cooking on the day so much more relaxed.

  • 04 of 15

    Welsh Leek and Cheese Rarebit

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (6)

    What better choice for a light lunch or snack on St. David's Day than a traditional Welsh Rarebit?It is, understandably, one of the most famous dishes in Wales. Some call it "posh cheese on toast," but that does not do justice to this delicious dish. The rarebit can be served as a little snack, or team it with a fresh green salad for an easy lunch.

    Continue to 5 of 15 below.

  • 05 of 15

    Giant Welsh Oggie

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (7)

    A massive favorite for St. David's is the Welsh version of the Cornish Pasty—the Oggie. It may look like a pasty, but this one is at least twice the size of a regular one and packs a punch with its filling of leeks, lamb, and potatoes.

    The Oggie can be eaten warm for lunch or dinner with fresh vegetables and gravy orserved cold as a snack on-the-go.

  • 06 of 15

    Chicken, Leek, and Mushroom Pie

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (8)

    A lovely dish for your St. David's Day Celebration is a pie, and this Welsh version ofchicken, leek,and mushroomis absolutely delicious. Best part is, it contains in abundance the symbolic emblem of Wales:the leek.

    The pie is perfect for a warm filling meal in and of itself and needs little else except a few boiled potatoes.

  • 07 of 15

    Classic Cheese and Leek Soufflé

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (9)

    A classic combination of ingredients can be found here in this soufflérecipe, which makes a perfect dish for the special Welsh day. Thoughthe classic cheese and leek soufflé must be made last minute, do not let that put you off, it is so worth the effort. If you are a little afraid (unnecessarily) of making a soufflé, there is noneed. You will see that with a bit of help, it is not so difficult.

  • 08 of 15

    Anglesey Eggs

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (10)

    This vegetarian dish comes from the Isle of Anglesey off the Welsh coastline, joined to the mainland by the Menai Bridge.

    Anglesey eggsare loved in Wales, but such is its deliciousness, it has become popular throughout the British Isles and not just for this Saint's day.

    The egg dish makes a stunning lunch and needs nothing else alongside being filled with greatingredients.

    Continue to 9 of 15 below.

  • 09 of 15

    Chicken, Leek, Caerphilly Cheese, and Prune Pie

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (11)

    This pie separatesout from the pack with the addition, unusually, of prunes andCaerphilly—a crumbly, strong-flavored cheese from Wales. Can't find it? Then use a crumbly strong Cheshire.

    The handful of prunes add an unusual sweetness, which works so well alongside everything else.

  • 10 of 15

    Traditional Welsh Cawl

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (12)

    "Cystal yfed o'r cawl â bwyta's cig"—"It is as good to drink the broth as to eat the meat," and in Wales, this is so true, primarily when referring to Cawl, because it is adish which is both a broth and a stew.

    Cawl is considered the national dish of Wales, so any St. David's Day meal would not be complete without it.

  • 11 of 15

    Welsh Cider-Baked Ham

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (13)

    Welsh ham baked with Welsh cider, what could be as perfect for this special day in Wales? Use the meat in sandwiches, aspart of a cold lunch, or awonderful supper dish served with a creamyparsley sauce.

  • 12 of 15

    Simple Roast Leg of Welsh Lamb With Honey and Ginger

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (14)

    Welsh meat recipes will invariably feature lamb and beef, as Wales is famous for both. In this delicious recipe forroast leg of lamb with honey and cider, the dish contains other local Welsh flavors, such as honey, cider, rosemary, and ginger. Combined together, this meal has been enjoyed in Wales since it was brought back by the Crusaders.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below.

  • 13 of 15

    Stuffed Leg of Welsh Lamb

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (15)

    More famous lamb for St. David's Day arethose raised on the wonderful rich pastures and hillsides of the country giving the meat its distinctive sweet flavor. This stuffed leg of lambcomes with a pungent stuffing of herbs, bacon, and garlic. Delicious!

  • 14 of 15

    Quick Easy Traditional Welsh Cake

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (16)

    There cannot be a St. David's Day celebration without a plate ofWelsh cakes. They are a lovely tea time treat and were initially cooked on the hot plate of a coal oven, but can just as easily be cooked in a heavy non-stick frying pan or griddle. To tastethem at their best, we recommend eating them soon after baking.

  • 15 of 15

    Bara Brith

    15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (17)

    Every countryin Britain has its favorite fruit cake, and Wales is no exception. Known as Bara Brith, or"speckled bread," Wales' delectable fruity tea bread is a great treat for afternoon tea.

  • British Food
15 Welsh Recipes to Help You Celebrate St. David's Day (2024)

FAQs

What do the Welsh eat on St. David's Day? ›

Whether you make chicken and leek pie, Welsh cakes or simply Welsh rarebit, we've got plenty of recipes to choose from. A symbol of Welsh pride, leeks also herald Spring. Celebrate the best of the season on St David's Day by making leeks the centre of your meal, or by serving them alongside hearty roast lamb.

What are traditional Welsh foods? ›

Dishes such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara brith (literally "speckled bread") or the Glamorgan sausage have all been regarded as symbols of Welsh food. Cawl, pronounced in a similar way to the English word "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish.

What do you say in Welsh on St Davids Day? ›

Saint David in Welsh (St David the person) is "Dewi Sant"

Welsh people will also greet each other with 'Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus', which translates as happy St Davids Day in Welsh. In 2023, St Davids Day is Wednesday, 1st March.

What did St Davids eat? ›

He was a teetotal vegetarian

They ploughed the fields by hand, rather than using oxen, and refrained from eating meat or drinking beer. St David himself was reputed to have consumed only leeks and water – which is perhaps why the leek became a national symbol of Wales.

What flowers do many Welsh people wear on their clothes on St David's Day? ›

It has been recognised since the 12th century, and St. David even has his own flag – a yellow cross on a black background. To mark the day, Welsh people around the world wear one or both of Wales's national emblems – a daffodil and a leek.

What is Wales' signature dish? ›

Cawl. Dating back to the 14th century, cawl, also known as 'lobscows' in areas of North Wales, is a hearty stew of lamb and seasonal vegetables that is considered to be the national dish of Wales. Usually accompanied by slabs of fresh bread, it's the perfect meal to warm up during a frosty Welsh winter.

What is the most eaten food in Wales? ›

Staple fruits of the land include oats, barley, wheat and vegetables, including the famous Welsh leek – an enduring symbol of Wales and found in traditional dishes, such as Glamorgan sausage and the hearty broth known simply as cawl. Nothing showcases the Welsh tradition of simple wholesome fare more than cawl.

What is a traditional Welsh drink? ›

Perhaps a trickier question to answer, Penderyn whisky is the most famous Welsh spirit, and perry and cider have certainly gained in popularity, but beer is considered by most to be the national drink of Wales.

What is the Welsh nickname for David? ›

David in Welsh can be translated as Dafydd. Alternative versions/nicknames also include Dai and Dewi.

What does David mean in Welsh? ›

Dafydd. Dafydd was a popular name in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym was the most famous poet of the period, and Dafydd ap Gruffudd was the brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last prince of Wales. The name comes from the Hebrew word for friend, and the English version is David.

What was St David's Welsh name? ›

St David, Dewi Sant, was a leading figure and monk in the early Welsh Church who lived in this area in the sixth century.

What do you drink on St. David's Day? ›

Saintly serve: The Red Dragon

To create, simply add 30ml of Cygnet Gin, 30ml of Grand Marnier, 25ml blood orange juice, 25ml lemon juice and 3ml grenadine in a chilled glass together with ice. Shake well and then strain the mix into a chilled glass.

Which vegetable is the symbol of Saint David? ›

His symbol, also the symbol of Wales, is the leek (this inspires a reference in Shakespeare's Henry V, Act V scene 1):

What was St David's motto? ›

David's final words to his followers were supposedly: “Do the little things, the small things you've seen me doing” or “Do the little things that you have heard and seen me do”. After St David's death, a shrine was built in his honour at his cathedral.

What do the Welsh eat for breakfast? ›

The Welsh Breakfast is a unique combination of some of the most symbolic food of Wales, such as Welsh bacon, Laverbread, and Penclawdd co*ckles. The breakfast begins with thick slices of Welsh bacon. Historically, bacon was kept and used as a staple source of fat in most kitchens throughout Wales.

Which is the most popular snack of Wales? ›

Welsh rarebit is a traditional snack, ideally based on locally produced Cheddar or Caerphilly cheese, melted and mixed with butter and cream or ale, then poured over a piping hot, buttered toast.

What is the national breakfast of Wales? ›

Two key ingredients that distinguish the Welsh breakfast from the other "full" variations are co*ckles (Welsh: cocs) and laverbread (Welsh: bara lafwr or bara lawr) (an edible seaweed purée often mixed with oatmeal and fried).

What did ancient Welsh people eat? ›

Wales is well known for its lamb and beef. The Welsh people relied heavily on their livestock to provide for their families, and winter cuisine often featured meats and dairy from the livestock. While meats and cheese were traditionally a highlight of Welsh foods, vegetables and herbs were less readily available.

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