Cook some food o' the Irish

March 13, 2010 – The Oakland Press by Jane Peterson – Around this time of the year just about everyone becomes a wee bit Irish. Whether it’s wearing a green sweater, enjoying a frosty green beer or cooking a hearty dinner of traditional Irish fare, there are many fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17.

One great way to start off the day is with a glass of cold green milk. Later in the day celebrate with the young or the young at heart by tinting whatever you plan on making for dinner March 17 green. Grocery stores and bakeries also offer all kinds of fresh green bread, cupcakes, cookies and more to supplement your meal.

Another way to go is to serve only green foods. Think spinach salad, asparagus or stuffed green peppers. Complete your festive meal with lime sherbet or shamrock-shaped sugar cookies.

However, for many people it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without corned beef and cabbage on the dinner table. The best thing about this flavorful meal is that it is easy to prepare, so you won’t need the luck of Irish in your kitchen even if you don’t consider yourself a good cook.

Corned beef is generally a low-maintenance meal, said Peter Julian, corporate chef for Hiller’s Markets.

“It’s a tradition to have for St. Patrick’s Day,” he said.

Many cuts of corned beef come packaged with a seasoning packet of pickling spices that can be added to the water as the corned beef is boiled and then simmered for three to four hours.

Home cooks can also use a slow cooker to prepare corned beef, Julian said.

Serve corned beef and cabbage with Irish soda bread and even some Irish beer, if you’d like, Julian said.

If you have some corned beef left over, you’re in luck. Corned beef can easily be used in a variety of dishes the next day. Dice some up and include it in an omelet. Slice corned beef and create a Reuben sandwich. Shred some and mix it with diced potatoes that have been pan sautéed and then serve with eggs for a quick corned beef hash, Julian suggested.

The Irish eyes around your dinner table will be smiling when you serve these festive St. Patrick’s Day recipes:

Your family will definitely feel Irish with this traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal. The recipe was shared by Peter Julian, corporate chef for Hiller’s Markets.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

2 pounds corned beef
1 medium onion, quartered
6 medium carrots, peeled and cut into pieces
10 red potatoes, quartered
1 medium cabbage, quartered

Place meat into large pot. Cover with cold water. Add seasoning packet. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours or until tender. Remove beef. Add cabbage and other vegetables. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Consider buying a slightly larger amount of corned beef to ensure that you have enough left over the next day for this hearty chowder, Julian said. Serve with slices of toasted soda bread for a complete meal.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Chowder

1⁄2 stick of butter
1⁄2 cup flour
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup water
3⁄4 pound cabbage, diced
1⁄2 pound red potatoes, diced
1⁄2 medium onion, diced
1⁄2 cup sour cream
1⁄4 pound corned beef, thinly sliced

Melt butter and add flour. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes to form roux. In a large pot, bring chicken broth and water to a simmer. Add cabbage, potatoes, and onions, cook until potatoes are slightly tender. Wisk in roux. Add sour cream and corned beef. Simmer for 10 additional minutes then serve.

Another food closely associated with Ireland is potatoes. Julian’s recipe for Irish Smashers, leaves the potato skin on for extra fiber. The recipe calls for Kerrygold Dubliner cheese, which is similar to cheddarbut sweeter, Julian said. You can add any cheese your family prefers.

Irish Smashers

3 pounds red potatoes
4 ounces butter
7 ounces Kerrygold Dubliner cheese, grated or thinly sliced
2 cup buttermilk
Salt and pepper, to taste

Boil potatoes until tender then drain. Add butter and cheese to potatoes. Mash by hand until cheese and butter is melted. Add buttermilk, season with salt and pepper then serve.

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