I’m half Irish, and I remember vividly while growing up that my dad would take off work every St. Patty’s Day, get dressed up in all sorts of green, buttons and the works, and head down to the local St. Patricks Day parade to party with brothers, cousins and friends. Us kids being little, we stayed at home with mom, who had no interest in partaking in such “foolhardiness”. 🙂
Dad’s days of partying at the parade are long gone, but his commitment to the day and to the event gave me an appreciation for the importance of respecting one’s heritage, whatever it may be. I would love to have the time to research our ancestral countries and share the wisdom with our children, but the days seem to go by too fast with the simple necessities of life like teaching the children and caring for our home.
This year, however, I decided that I was going to make for Rick and the kids a classic Irish dinner. I cooked it up today, since Monday evening is booked with Maddie’s Krav Maga class, and I never cease to be amazed at how fun it is to try new and different ethnic foods of any type.
We started out with the classic Corned Beef and Cabbage. While doing my Internet search for authentic Irish recipes, some said that Corned Beef and Cabbage was an American invention of an Irish meal, but I found just as many Ireland natives who said they had plenty of Corned Beef and Cabbage in their lifetimes, so that’s what we went with for our St. Patricks Day Dinner. Being Rick is a Corned Beef fan, I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I used the recipe written here, and it was every bit as delightful as the reviews promised it would be. I remember trying Corned Beef and Cabbage as a kid, and hating it, but this version was simply delightful. The potatoes in this recipe are hearty and flavorful.
I also whipped up a batch of Irish Soda Bread from a recipe I found here. Irish soda bread has always looked dry to me, but I took a chance and tried it anyway. The local bakery here was selling it already made, but after figuring out that I could make it for about 1/3 of the cost of the bakery price, I went for a homemade version. It tastes a bit like a baking powder biscuit, only more dense and flavorful. Not at all dry as long as you don’t over-bake it.
For dessert, I found a recipe for a classic Irish Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze. The batter for this cake was absolutely yummy! (Didn’t you know that it’s a rule that you’ve got to taste the batter? 🙂 ) And the cake, beautiful, rich and sweet, didn’t disappoint either. I did substitute heavy cream for the buttermilk, since cream was all that we had on hand, and it worked out wonderfully. It’s also a pretty table decoration:
Rick and the kids all gave it a pretty big thumbs up. The cabbage went over much better than I thought it would with young kids, as did the corned beef. What a great meal for a Saturday afternoon, don’t you think?
What are your plans for St. Patricks Day?
Cabbage and corned beef will be on a lot of dinner plates on Monday in my part of Canada but I can’t stand it. Thank heavens for soda bread. That can absorb a lot of green beer.
LOL, yeah, that’s for sure. 🙂 Have a great day, Jane!
I can’t handle corned beef and cabbage. The tea cake looks delicious though 🙂
LOL, I used to feel the same way. 🙂 And you’re right – the tea cake was AWESOME! Next time we’ll likely put lemon juice in the cake, though, and not just in the glaze.
Wow looks like an amazing meal! You’ve had a busy day in the kitchen. I’m right with you – I love trying to cook new cuisines.. Next on my list is experimenting with some curry flavors. Have a great rest of your weekend 🙂
Hope you’ll be sharing your curry experiences, Liz. I’ve had some curry cuisine that was so good, and some not so good, so I’m afraid to try it!
Laurie – you have completely inspired me! I read this post this morning and told my hubby we were having it tomorrow night for dinner. He hates corned beef, but I think he just had a bad experience. I am 100% Irish and love it, so I told him about your blog and he agreed to try it. Then I went to the food store and everything was on sale, so our dinner will be less than $10!! How exciting!! Can’t wait to try it out!
LOL, funny! I used to hate corned beef too, but after using the recipe I linked up to, I LOVE it now!! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Oh, why am I not Irish?
I am so jealous. Looks delicious.
Enjoy the celebrations tonight.
LOL, funny, David. 🙂 You should try it sometime!
Hi Laurie – I’ve also got a good streak of Irish blood running through my veins.
I had cod and potatoes for my dinner – the staple diet of the west coast of Ireland for centuries
I can’t stand the ginger beard, green jacketed leprechaun shenanigans of modern day St Patricks celebrations. We went for a walk along the beach instead of wasting a day in the pub
Yeah, it gets a little too out of hand for my tastes as well, but I’m ALL about good food and fun. We’ll have to try that cod and potato dinner – sounds right up Rick’s alley!
That is indeed a great meal, I am sure you had a tremendous time eating it up. It’s nice to see celebrations from all over the world – these traditions and especially traditional dishes are truly amazing!
Oh, it was YUMMY! You’ll have to share a classic Romanian meal with your readers sometime, C. 🙂
We didn’t do anything for St. Patricks day since we’re not Irish. But I’d be glad to partake in some of that great looking food if you’re willing to have guests next year. 🙂
Grab the family and come on up, Travis. 🙂
Oh my gosh this looks amazing Laurie! I especially love the Irish Tea Cake with Lemon Glaze. It looks like something my wife and I might have to give a try!
DC, it was delicious! Sweet and moist. YUM!
Everything looks so tasty, Laurie! I love corned beef and cabbage but haven’t had a ton of success making it myself. I did attempt one this weekend and it was the best one I’ve made thus far, although I wouldn’t use the word “delightful” to describe it. I’m bookmarking your recipe for next year. Soda bread, oh you continually disappoint me. Mine is always a bit dry. And I noticed the recipe you used has more wet ingredients, so I am going to have to give it a whirl too. Mine was super simple but dry. And I don’t like dry bread! And OMG – the lemon tea cake looks divine. That is going on my must make soon list! 🙂 Have a great week and Happy St. Patrick’s Day, my friend!
Yeah, ours was a bit on the dry side too – maybe it’s the nature of the beast? The Lemon Tea Cake was definitely delicious – you have to try it! Happy day to you too, Tanya! Many hugs! 🙂
Okay, maybe soda bread is just dry. There is an Irish Pub nearby and they have this delicious brown bread. I’m going to skip soda bread next year and find a good brown bread recipe instead. And I can’t wait to try the lemon tea bread. I have buttermilk in the fridge but I need to pick up some cake flour, then I’m making it asap!
Hmm, that’s a great idea – never tried the brown bread here either! FYI, we just used regular all-purpose flour for the tea bread, and it worked out fine. Let me know what you think!
Looks amazing! Corn beef and cabbage was one of my favorite meals growing up, so much so I called my mom for the recipe. We don’t have it often, but do make sure to have it every St. Patrick’s Day!
Wow!! That’s great that you still hold to that tradition, Ryan. It is a fabulous meal, isn’t it?