Most of us here in Chicago don’t tend to include oysters when we think of Irish food—but believe it or not, they’re one of the most quintessential foods in a traditional Irish diet. Mollusks are found in abundance all along the Irish coastline, but there’s one in particular worth knowing about: the European Flat Oyster.

Native oysters have a looong history in Ireland. People have been eating them for over 4,000 years, with the first oyster farms appearing in the 15th century. That’s a long time! Oysters along the Irish coast also served as a source of free food during the Great Famine in 1879.

In addition to their cultural and historical importance, oysters have two other big things going for them: they’re absolutely delicious, and they’re good for you, too! They’re full of vitamins and trace minerals that we need in our diets. So let’s go beyond our corned beef comfort zone!

If you follow me online, you will have heard about my friend, Terri Milligan. We have a long history together, and she’s a treasure (not to mention a talented chef). I love going over recipes with her, and honestly, if I have any questions about anything, Terri’s my go-to! In this Guinness-themed oyster recipe, Terri tosses together crispy bacon and julienned cabbage for the perfect fresh, savory garnish. She uses the Guinness to liven up a traditional hollandaise sauce that tops them off. You won’t believe how easy these are to make at home. And in my experience, anything that Terri touches is gold!