You know when you have one of those unforgettable meals at a restaurant that you can’t stop thinking about and where everything feels like an incredible revelation to your tastebuds and brain? I love these experiences, and the latest one occurred a few months ago when I discovered an Irish spice bag for the first time at an atmospheric British pub while on a day trip. The pub had lots of authentic English and Irish fare on the menu, and I was intrigued by the description of this item that sounded so strange. Even stranger, my husband and I have traveled all over Ireland and neither of us had ever heard of it before.

It's not an exaggeration when I say that this meal was amazing and one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time. It was fun, innovative, incredibly flavorful, and like nothing I’ve ever ordered. I instantly knew I was smitten and was committed to replicating a spice bag at home. After playing around with the components, I was able to create an at-home version that was almost as succulent. My teenager gobbled up every bit with record speed and declared, “make this all the time.” I call that a win!

So what exactly is an Irish spice bag? A trendy Dublin street fare snack, it’s literally a brown paper “takeaway” bag that’s filled with fried chicken, fries, peppers, and onions that are spiced and served with a creamy curry dipping sauce. The bag is intended to be ripped open for convenient and immediate snacking. You can vary up the elements but the sauce is what makes it so crave-worthy. Here’s my at-home recipe for the curry sauce, as well as how to assemble all components so you can try this fun pub food on your own.

Spice Bag Curry Sauce:

·       2 tablespoons butter

·       1 onion, chopped

·       3 cloves garlic, minced

·       2 tablespoons flour

·       1 teaspoon coriander

·       1 teaspoon cumin

·       1 teaspoon turmeric

·       1 teaspoon paprika

·       2 tablespoons curry powder

·       2 cups vegetable broth

·       ½ cup heavy cream

·       Salt and pepper, to taste

 

1)    Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

2)    Sprinkle in flour and all spices. Stir well to form a paste.

3)    Pour in broth while stirring continuously. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

4)    Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring, until it thickens a bit.

5)    Pour in cream and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Assembly:

1)    Combine fried chicken of your choice (store bought, take out, or homemade) and baked French fries in a large bowl with sautéed sliced onions and pepper strips. Add a spicy seasoning blend of your choice or a mix of paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne to taste. Toss to combine, then divide everything into brown paper bags. Give each bag another good shake, then serve.