St. Paddy's Day Food

Well, I made Corned Beef and Cabbage.  I really just did it for fun, not really expecting anyone (including myself) to eat much of it.  I was sure the boys would whine and fuss over just the name of it, and then the smell of the cabbage cooking would send them over the edge. 

I cooked the beef, potatoes and carrots in the crock pot all day, and then just steamed the cabbage when I got home from work, and it was not stinky at all. I also bought the smallest corned beef I could find, thinking we wouldn't eat it all. Now I'm afraid there won't be enough left over to make corned beef hash later!

It actually wasn't bad!  I loved it, and ate a whole plate of it. The boys didn't "love" it, but they did eat it without complaining (of coarse, knowing they could have milkshakes for dessert afterwards probably helped (-: ). The verdict from the hubby is still out, since he won't be able to eat it until he gets home from work later. But, all in all, I would say it was much better than expected. I also made a yummy Irish Soda Bread to go with it, and Shamrock Shakes for dessert.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hope you enjoy the recipes!

Corned Beef and Cabbage

3 lb corned beef w/seasonings

10 red potatoes, quartered

4-5 carrots, chunked

1 lg onion, cut into wedges

2 Tbsp yellow mustard

2 Tbsp brown sugar

3/4 can of Guinness beer

water

Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in bottom of crock pot. Place corned beef and seasonings on top of vegetables. Rub beef with mustard and sprinkle with brown sugar. Pour beer over meat and veggies and then add water just until meat is covered. Cover crock pot and cook for 8-10 hours, or until meat is tender.

Steamed Cabbage

1 head of cabbage

3 Tbsp butter 

water

Cut cabbage into small wedges and place in a microwave safe dish. Dot with butter and add about 1/4 inch of water to dish. Cover and microwave for about 8 minutes. Serve with corned beef and vegetables.

Irish Soda Bread

4-4 1/2 cups flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

4 Tbsp butter

1 lg egg, lightly beaten

1 3/4 cup butter milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 cups flour, sugar, salt and soda. 

Cut the butter into flour mixture(you can use your fingers, a pastry cutter or two knives) until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Add egg and buttermilk and mix with spoon until the dough is too thick to stir, then use hands to knead in to a ball. Add a little more flour if dough is too sticky.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times. Place dough "ball" on lightly greased baking sheet or iron skillet and score it, by marking an "x" an inch and a half deep in the top of the dough.  Bake for 35-45 minutes (iron skillet may take longer).  The bread is done when a skewer is inserted in the middle and comes out clean.

Shamrock Shakes

3 cups vanilla ice cream

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Green food coloring 

 Blend all ingredients in a blender until thick and smooth. Pour into glasses and serve!