Tuesday, March 15, 2016

A Fabulous St. Patrick's Day Menu

Did you know I was supposed to be born on St. Patrick's Day?

Surprisingly, I was two days late.

Which is weird, because I am NEVER late.

Sweetie, stop laughing. I can see you. 

Via
Well, I'm not late now. I'm giving you these recipes in time to make your own amazing St. Patrick's Day meal.

And despite what many of my readers may think based on the recipes I generally share, I am not Italian. Although I do adore Italian food - it's my favorite!

I am Irish through and through. Yup, a little fair haired blue eyed freckly faced Irish girl. That's me!


Naturally, I have to make Corned Beef & Cabbage. It's just one of those things. Although this is a dish that is commonly served in America on St. Patrick's Day, it is not truly an Irish dish. They would serve Boiling Bacon in lieu of Corned Beef in Ireland. 

Either way, I am an Irish-American and Corned Beef & Cabbage is traditional fare for Irish-Americans on our very special holiday!

Via
It's so simple to make a good Corned Beef dinner - just remember to buy the best cut - the flat cut. The point cut is just not worth it. 

I throw the corned beef in the crockpot in the morning with a head of garlic and large onion, both cut in half, and the seasoning packet that comes with the corned beef. Cover it with water (sometimes I'll add a little beer, if I have any), and I'll let it cook it on low until I come home from work. Easy peasy.

It's the sauce that makes it extra special. I serve mine with a horseradish sauce and oh my, it's heavenly!

Via
The horseradish sauce can be made in a matter of minutes and it truly adds a new element of flavor to this simple dish. Simply combine the following in a non metal bowl, add salt and pepper to taste, cover for at least an hour prior to serving.

1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

I serve my corned beef with creamy mashed potatoes as I'm not a big fan of the more traditional boiled potatoes. 

And, of course, some steamed cabbage. 

Which I hated until I learned my mom's secret for making it super yummy. 

Can you guess what it is?

It's BACON!!


Remember what I told you....everything is better with bacon! Truer words have never been spoken. 

Mom tosses the cooked cabbage with a little butter, salt, pepper, and crumbled bacon and it makes it absolutely divine. I do the same...thanks, Mom!

Another staple of my St. Patrick's Day dinner is some home made bread. 

Now, granted, I freely admit that I am not a great baker. However, this bread is so simple that even I can make it. 

Irresistible Irish Soda Bread
I love the more traditional Irish Soda Bread with the raisins...no caraway seeds for me, though, please! However, I always thought it was more of a breakfast bread, not really appropriate to serve with dinner. What can I say...I think the raisins throw me off. 

So when I found this recipe a number of years back, I started making this Irish bread instead of the round soda bread with the raisins. And let me tell you, it is amazing!

Recipe By: Karin Christian

"A very easy, very good tasting bread. Best if made the day before, or several hours before serving."

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Via
I'm having company for dinner on St. Patrick's Day and now you know the evening's menu. 

It's not my usual easy peasy dinner party menu but sometimes we have to make exceptions. 

You  know, take one for the team. 

The Irish team. 

Go, Team!





28 comments:

  1. My husband would gobble this up...he loves the taste of horseradish. Love the pictures. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thanks, Susie - I have recently learned to love the taste of horseradish - took me long enough, huh? :)

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  2. A GOOD 'OL IRISH MEAL. I'm Irish, too, and I love cabbage. :)

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  3. Yummy menu...and photos! I will be doing my corned beef in the oven, it comes out so tender and serving it witha horseradish sauce, colcannon and carrots. I can hardly wait for Thursday to get here!
    Happy SPD...

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    1. Awesome menu, Marigene!! I am also serving carrots but I did not do the Colcannon this year. The corned beef is simmering in the crockpot as I type this!!

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  4. Traditionally, Ill have lucky charms for breakfast and we will do a corned beef brisket with a horseradish dip. We will also do cabbage steaks. And my Husband is Italian.
    Lisa

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  5. Oh that sounds so good! My hubby is Irish on his mother's side so that makes my kids part Irish also and me Irish by marriage (that's a real thing right?). Corned beef and cabbage has always been one of my favorite meals...it was the one I requested for my birthday dinner for years and my sweet Grandma would have to do the curing herself since there was no corned beef to be found in July other than the kind that came in a can there in Hawaii. ;) Every time I have this dinner, it reminds me of her and her love for me.

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    1. That's so sweet, Debbie - will you be making Corned Beef tonight for St Patrick's Day?

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  6. Oh that sounds so good! My hubby is Irish on his mother's side so that makes my kids part Irish also and me Irish by marriage (that's a real thing right?). Corned beef and cabbage has always been one of my favorite meals...it was the one I requested for my birthday dinner for years and my sweet Grandma would have to do the curing herself since there was no corned beef to be found in July other than the kind that came in a can there in Hawaii. ;) Every time I have this dinner, it reminds me of her and her love for me.

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  7. Oh yes! All sounds delicious. I am a big fan of horseradish and will make this for sure next year. We had a green meal planned for Thursday with the kids and grands. Our oldest daughter's fil passed away and the viewing is Thursday so cancelled for this year. Happy St. Patty's!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. So terribly sorry to hear that, Jann, that's so sad. Hugs to your daughter and her hubby - xo

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  8. I am not a horseradish fan but I do love to fry up cabbage and sweet onion....will add some bacon this time :)

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    1. That's the way the Irish in Ireland use up leftover steamed cabbage - they fry it up the next day!

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  9. I am not a horseradish fan but I do love to fry up cabbage and sweet onion....will add some bacon this time :)

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  10. My youngest son was born on St. Patrick's day, so of course that day is very special to me! We will be going out to dinner with him and his girlfriend this St. Patty's day to celebrate his big 25 so no cooking for me!

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    1. Oh, happy birthday to your son - he's the same age as my daughters! My older girl is 25 but will be 26 in May, my younger girl is 24 and will be 25 in August!

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  11. Ah, the beauty of the Irish, but alas, they can keep their traditional meal, it's not for me. That said, a good pinch from a special someone would be sure to make me smile. LOL

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    1. I never liked it much growing up but as I got older I grew to like it. Of course making it myself helps - I add my own touch!

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  12. I've only boiled mine I've never made it in the crock pot and the sauce looks so yummy.

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    1. I licked the spoon after I made the sauce this morning, Valerie - it was so good!!

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  13. Your menu sounds delish! And the crockpot cooking really makes it easy peasy for sure! Enjoy your dinner party tomorrow :)

    My daughter was supposed to be born the first of April, but she came two weeks early, on St. Patrick's Day, lol... she will be 20 tomorrow, and I can't hardly even believe it! I was in hard labor this time twenty years ago. Oh my. Well, that is my little story for ya... so if I don't get a chance to say it again, Happy Birthday :)

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    1. Oh, happy birthday to your daughter!! And aren't you glad you aren't in hard labor today - hee hee? :)

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  14. I loved your pics of the Irish countryside. Your menu sounded fabulous for St Patrick's Day, and the sauce....yum! I made soda bread, too, but made my Irish Cottage pie. I'm sure everyone was so thankful for your delicious meal. ☘
    Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful comments on my blog. ❤️

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Kitty - and yes, we had an absolutely wonderful evening and the corned beef turned out amazing!!!!

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