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 Welsh people eat on St. David's Day? ›

Celebrate the best of Welsh produce this 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. How to make the perfect Welsh cakes in four easy steps for a teatime treat.

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

Want to say 'Happy St David's Day' in Welsh? It's Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus Pronounced Deethe goo-eel Dew-ee.

How do you celebrate St David's Day in Wales? ›

How do people celebrate St David's Day? Usually, St David's Day is a day of parades, concerts and eisteddfodau (festivals of music, language and culture). People also celebrate St David's Day by engaging in little acts of Welshness.

What are the Welsh emblems for St David's Day? ›

Many Welsh people wear one or both of the National symbols of Wales to celebrate St. David: the daffodil (a generic Welsh symbol) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol) on this day.

What are traditional Welsh meals? ›

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 did ancient Welsh eat? ›

While meats and cheese were traditionally a highlight of Welsh foods, vegetables and herbs were less readily available. The most widely used vegetables and herbs were cabbages, leeks, thyme, savory, and mint. Over time, more variety was introduced as it became more accessible.

What is Welsh slang for David? ›

Dewi and Dai

While the direct translation for David in Welsh is Dafydd, the nicknames Dai and Dewi are also very popular in Wales. The patron saint of Wales is known as Dewi Sant, meaning Saint David.

What was St David's Welsh name? ›

David (Welsh: Dewi Sant; Latin: Davidus; c. 500 – c. 589) was a Welsh Christian prelate who served as Bishop of Mynyw during the 6th century. He is the patron saint of Wales.

What to wear on St. David's Day? ›

Whilst many boys prefer to wear a rugby top, the traditional waistcoat and dickie bow is still a favourite for St David's day photos.
  • Waistcoat, 6 – 12 months: £5.99. ...
  • Dai cap, 6-12 months: £4.99. ...
  • Dickie bow: £1.50. ...
  • Rugby shirt, 0-6 months: £11.99. ...
  • XS boys rugby top (recommended age 4-5): £12.99.
Jan 20, 2023

What is the flower for St David's Day? ›

Today, the daffodil is considered the national emblem of Wales and is worn on Saint David's Day, March 1, to show pride in Welsh heritage. Today, daffodils, also known by their scientific name Narcissus, are one of the most popular and recognizable flowers in the world.

What is a fun fact about St Davids Day? ›

St David's Last Words Were “Gwnewch Y Pethau Bychain”

A favourite saying on St David's Day and one of the most well-known phrases in the Welsh language is 'Gwnewch y pethau bychain' (do the little things). These words were apparently the last words uttered by Wales's patron saint, before his death in 589AD.

What is the Welsh flag for St David's Day? ›

St David's Day Flag is a gold cross on a black field that represents the patron saint of Wales, St David. This Flag is the Welsh equivalent to St George's Flag, St Andrew's Flag, and Saint Patrick's Flag and is flown to represent Wales in the same way as the Welsh Red Dragon Flag.

What do Welsh say for 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 does St Davids Day translate to in Welsh? ›

'Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus' is Welsh for 'Happy St David's Day'.

Why do Welsh people use daffodils for St David's Day? ›

Daffodils, or 'cennin pedr' in Welsh, naturally appear in early spring around the time of St David's Day - depending on the weather that year. Their association with Wales is comparatively recent, and are thought to have gained prominence as an alternative to the leek over the last century.

What did St Davids eat? ›

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 do the Welsh eat for Christmas? ›

WELSH CHRISTMAS RECIPES TO TRY THIS YEAR | FOOD FEATURE
  • Beef Cawl. ...
  • Traditional Christmas Welsh Goose Cawl. ...
  • Christmas Cake. ...
  • Traditional Welsh Christmas Eve Taffy. ...
  • Pwdin Dolig.
Dec 12, 2016

What is the national breakfast of Wales? ›

Tradition and diversity

A typically traditional Welsh breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, laverbread and cockles. Welsh tea, traditionally a late afternoon ritual, would consist of bara brith, 'speckled bread', a sweet fruit bread and Welsh cakes.

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

Dewi Sant, of course, is Welsh for St David. In this cocktail, those flavours pair with fresh mint to enhance that herbal flavour, fresh cucumber to enhance the freshness and an elderflower syrup for sweetness and that delicious flavour of the garden.

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