Cannabis-Infused "Bangers and Mash" St. Patrick's Day Classic with Infused Onion Guinness Gravy
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Cannabis-Infused "Bangers and Mash" St. Patrick's Day Classic with Infused Onion Guinness Gravy
A Note on Dosing: This recipe makes 2 massive servings of Bangers and Mash. We calculate based on a 15% THC flower. You must calculate your own dose based on your cannabis potency. This is a macro dose for experienced consumers. Know your tolerance. Start with half a serving and wait 90 minutes.
Approximate Dose (using 2g of 15% THC flower): ~75mg THC total (infused into the onion Guinness gravy). ~37mg per serving depending on how much gravy you use. Adjust your cannabis amount to 0.5g for a more moderate 18mg total, 1g for ~37mg, or 1.5g for ~55mg.
Terpene Pairing Suggestion: Choose a Caryophyllene and Myrcene-dominant strain. Caryophyllene's peppery spice will amplify the rich pork sausages and the deep Guinness flavors, while Myrcene's earthy notes will complement the buttery mashed potatoes and caramelized onions. This combination creates a deeply grounding, comforting experience that honors this classic Irish pub favorite .
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The Bangers and Mash Story
Bangers and Mash is the quintessential Irish and British comfort food—simple, satisfying, and soul-warming. The dish consists of pork sausages ("bangers") served over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes ("mash"), all smothered in rich onion gravy .
The term "bangers" dates back to World War I, when meat shortages forced sausage makers to add water and fillers to their products. The high water content caused the sausages to explode or "bang" when cooked . The name stuck and became endearing .
In Ireland, this dish is pub food at its finest—the kind of meal you order on a cold, rainy day when you need something hearty and warming. The addition of Guinness to the gravy is a modern twist that honors Ireland's most famous export .
This version elevates the classic with a cannabis-infused onion Guinness gravy that ties everything together in a rich, savory, elevated embrace .
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Step 1: The Cannabis-Infused Onion Guinness Gravy
Ingredients:
· 2 grams cannabis flower (Caryophyllene/Myrcene dominant)
· 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
· 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
· 1 cup Guinness stout (room temperature)
· 2 cups beef broth
· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
· 1 bay leaf
· Salt and black pepper to taste
Decarboxylation Method:
1. Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C).
2. Finely grind cannabis flower and spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool completely.
Infusion Method:
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown. This will take 30-40 minutes—don't rush it .
3. Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the caramelized onions. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes .
4. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste .
5. Slowly pour in the Guinness, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan .
6. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf.
7. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let simmer gently for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy has thickened and the flavors have melded .
8. Remove the bay leaf. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean saucepan, pressing on the onions to extract all liquid . Discard solids .
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Keep warm over the lowest possible heat. This is your Cannabis-Infused Onion Guinness Gravy. It will keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
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Step 2: The Bangers and Mash Assembly
For the Bangers (Sausages):
· 4 high-quality Irish pork sausages (or Cumberland sausages if Irish unavailable)
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Mash (Creamy Mashed Potatoes):
· 2 pounds Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
· 1/2 cup whole milk
· 1/4 cup heavy cream
· 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (non-infused, for the mash)
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
For Serving:
· Your Cannabis-Infused Onion Guinness Gravy
· Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
· Optional: Peas or steamed cabbage on the side
Equipment:
· Large skillet for sausages
· Large pot for potatoes
· Potato masher or ricer
· Small saucepan for milk and cream
· Serving plates
Method:
1. Make the Mashed Potatoes:
· Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold salted water .
· Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes .
· Drain well and return the potatoes to the pot over low heat for 1-2 minutes to steam off excess moisture .
· In a small saucepan, warm the milk, cream, and butter together until steaming .
· Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or, for extra smoothness, a ricer .
· Gradually pour in the warm milk mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon until creamy and smooth .
· Season with salt and white pepper. Cover and keep warm.
2. Cook the Bangers:
· Prick the sausages a few times with a fork to prevent them from bursting .
· Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
· Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes .
· If the sausages are browning too quickly, reduce heat and add a splash of water to the pan, covering to steam them through .
3. Assemble the Plates:
· Spoon a generous mound of creamy mashed potatoes onto each plate.
· Arrange two sausages alongside or on top of the mash.
· Ladle a generous amount of your warm Cannabis-Infused Onion Guinness Gravy over the sausages and potatoes .
· Garnish with fresh parsley.
4. Serve Immediately:
· Serve with peas, steamed cabbage, or a simple green vegetable on the side .
· Provide extra gravy in a small pitcher or ramekin for those who want more .
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The Great Banger Debate
The type of sausage used in Bangers and Mash is a matter of fierce debate:
Irish Bangers:
· Coarser texture, more pork-forward flavor
· Often seasoned with sage and black pepper
· Traditionally made with a higher breadcrumb content
Cumberland Sausages:
· From Northern England, coiled rather than linked
· Heavily spiced with black pepper and herbs
Lincolnshire Sausages:
· Pronounced sage flavor
· Coarser texture than standard bangers
Any good-quality pork sausage will work, but for authenticity, seek out Irish-style bangers from specialty butchers or Irish import shops .
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The Guinness Connection
Guinness has been brewed in Dublin since 1759 and is as Irish as the Cliffs of Moher . Its deep, malty richness, notes of coffee and chocolate, and creamy mouthfeel make it perfect for savory cooking .
In gravy, Guinness adds:
· Depth: The roasted barley notes complement the caramelized onions
· Color: A rich, dark brown that looks as good as it tastes
· Complexity: Slight bitterness balances the sweetness of the onions
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Pro Tips for Perfect Bangers and Mash
Low and Slow for Onions:
Caramelizing onions properly takes time—at least 30 minutes. Rushing this step sacrifices flavor .
Don't Overcook the Sausages:
Overcooked sausages become dry. Cook until just done and still juicy inside .
Smooth Mash:
For the smoothest mash, use a ricer instead of a masher. Never use a food processor—it makes potatoes gluey .
Hot Milk, Hot Potatoes:
Adding warm milk to hot potatoes ensures creamy, not lumpy, mash .
Rest the Sausages:
Let cooked sausages rest for a few minutes before serving to retain their juices .
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Safety, Dosing & Storage
CRITICAL NOTES:
⚠️ MACRO DOSE WARNING: This recipe as written contains approximately 75mg THC total (infused into the onion Guinness gravy). Dose per serving depends on how much gravy you use. This is a potent dose intended for experienced consumers.
⚠️ THE GRAVY IS THE VEHICLE: All the cannabis is in the onion Guinness gravy. Control your dose by how much you ladle.
⚠️ REDUCE YOUR CANNABIS: For a more reasonable experience, use 0.5g total (18mg total), 1g total (37mg), or 1.5g total (55mg).
⚠️ ALCOHOL NOTE: Most of the alcohol from the Guinness cooks off during simmering, but trace amounts may remain .
⚠️ LABEL LEFTOVERS: Mark any leftover gravy "CANNABIS-INFUSED - HIGH DOSE."
⚠️ DO NOT DRIVE. You'll be saying "sláinte" from your couch .
Storage:
· Infused onion Guinness gravy: Refrigerate up to 1 week. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
· Mashed potatoes: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk.
· Cooked sausages: Refrigerate up to 3 days
· Assemble fresh for best results