Flavors · País de Gales

Cawl

A thick broth of lamb or beef with leek, turnip, carrot and potato, slowly cooked and served with bread. It is regarded as the national dish of Wales and, in parts of the north, is called lobscows.

Traditional dish from País de Gales

Also known as: cawl Cymreig, lobscows

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the United Kingdom
the United Kingdom
Cawl — País de Gales, the United Kingdom
Cawl
Cawl — País de Gales, the United Kingdom
Cawl
Cawl — País de Gales, the United Kingdom
Cawl
Cawl — País de Gales, the United Kingdom
Cawl

Cawl — País de Gales, the United Kingdom

Cawl is a slowly cooked meat-and-vegetable broth. The most common versions use lamb or beef with leek, turnip, carrot and potato. The word cawl means soup or broth in Welsh, but when people say cawl on its own they mean this particular dish.

It was the food of country households, prepared in a pot over the fire with whatever meat and vegetables were available, and every family has its own recipe. In parts of north Wales the dish is called lobscows, a name similar to the sailors’ lobscouse. Many families say cawl is better the next day after reheating.

The leek, present in most recipes, is one of the symbols of Wales. Cawl appears in winter and on occasions such as Saint David’s Day, the country’s patron, on March 1. It is served with a good piece of bread and often with cheese on the side.

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Where it comes from

País de Gales
Broth regarded as the national dish of Wales, prepared throughout the country.

Ingredients

Lamb or beef; leek; turnip; carrot; potato; broth; salt and pepper; parsley. Separately, bread and often cheese.

How it is eaten

In a deep plate or bowl, eaten with a spoon, accompanied by bread to soak up the broth and often a slice of cheese.

When it is eaten

All year round, especially in winter and on Saint David’s Day, March 1.

Your questions

Questions about Cawl

What does cawl mean?

Soup or broth, in Welsh. Used on its own, the name refers to the meat-and-vegetable broth regarded as the national dish of Wales.

Is cawl a soup or a stew?

It sits between the two: it’s a thick broth with pieces of meat and vegetables, eaten with a spoon and bread.

What meat does cawl use?

Generally lamb or beef, cooked with leek, turnip, carrot and potato.

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