to nourish your soul and stomach on St. Patrick's Day or any day!
Bíonn an rath i mbun na ranna.
There is luck in sharing a thing.-Irish Proverb
3
pounds of Lamb Chops, trimmed & deboned
2
pounds of Potatoes
1
pound of Onions
1/2
tablespoon of chopped Parsley
1/2
tablespoon of fresh Thyme
2
cups of Water
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cut meat into pieces. Peel and slice potatoes and onions.
Layer half of the potatoes in saucepan, then half of the meat
and herbs, and finally half of the onions. Season each layer
to taste and repeat the process. Pour water over, cover with
a sheet of foil and well as the lid, and simmer gently for
about 2 hours, occasionally shaking the pan to prevent
sticking. Add liquid if it seems too dry, but a good Irish stew
should be thick and not like a soup.
Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh.
A
kind word never broke anyone's mouth.
8
cups of Wholemeal Flour mixed with white flour
(proportions may vary according to taste)
2
teaspoons Salt
2
teaspoons Baking Soda
3
cups Buttermilk
Mix all dry ingredients together. Make a well in the center
and pour in half the buttermilk. Carefully mix in the dry
ingredients, adding enough buttermilk to make a soft dough.
(You may need more or less than three cups) Gently and
quickly combine the bread. Turn the dough out onto a
floured surface. Divide into two loaves and quickly shape
each loaf into a circle. Place each loaf into a 7-inch greased
pie plate, and cut a deep cross on the top with a knife. Bake
at 450F degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 400 and
bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the bread is done.
The bread should be lightly browned and sound hollow when
tapped on the bottom. Turn out onto a rack when cool.
For white soda bread the directions are the same, but use
white flour only. For Spotted Dick use the same ingredients,
but add sultanas and currants. For Soda Bread With Bacon
you may place several slices of bacon in a criss-cross pattern
on top of the bread before putting in the oven.
Is ceirín do gach créacht an fhoighne.
-Irish Proverb
3
pounds of Corned Beef Brisket
1
whole Onion
4
whole Cloves
1-2
Bay Leaves
6-8
Peppercorns
shredded Cabbage
Place brisket in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Stick
cloves into the onion; add to saucepan with bay leaves and
peppercorns. bring to a boil, cover, and simmer until the
meat is tender--about 2 hours. Cook cabbage in the meat
stock just until tender and serve with the beef. Many families
serve this with a mustard sauce.
Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.
There is no place like home.
-Irish Proverb
May your heart be as light as a song,
May each day bring you bright happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.
Here's a special Irish Coffee recipe for two:
2 heatproof clear wineglasses or
clear mugs
4 sugar cubes
3 oz. Grand Marnier
4 oz. Irish whiskey
Hot, fresh black coffee
Whipped cream
Divide the orange liqueur and the
sugar among the wineglasses and warm in a microwave.
(If you don't have a microwave, fill the glasses with hot water before
proceeding,
then drain the water and add the liqueur and sugar.)
Light the liqueur -- this is best done in a dim, romantic setting
where the flickering blue flames will have the most dramatic effect.
While the flames are dancing, pour coffee to within about 1.5" of the top
of the wine glasses;
this will extinguish the fire. Divide the whiskey between the two servings
and top with whipped cream. Savor with someone special.
HAPPY
ST. PATRICK'S DAY!