Spice up St. Patrick’s Day this year

Spice up St. Patrick’s Day this year

By Sharon Simpson

Sayrelyn’s Culinary Classics

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday most people identify with leprechauns, green shamrocks, the blarney stone and, of course, corned beef, cabbage and potatoes.

Irish food has long been labeled "bland" by many, mostly because cabbage and potatoes were the staple of Irish food. However, there are many ways to spice up your St. Patrick’s Day menu this year.

Corned beef and cabbage is traditional, but there are many other Irish dishes you can prepare. As always, plan your menu and prepare as much as you can in advance. That way, you can celebrate with friends and family and avoid being trapped in the kitchen.

If you choose to start celebrating in the morning, whip up an Irish
omelet and a fresh batch of soda bread.

An Irish omelet is made with
eggs yolks, mashed potatoes, chives, salt and pepper and is slowly cooked on top of the stove.

Beaten eggs whites are folded into the omelet, then placed under the broiler until puffy. This omelet is sure to be a favorite breakfast item.

Irish soda bread has baking soda rather than yeast. This was because the flour required to help the yeast leaven (rise) the bread dough was scare in some parts of Ireland. Thus, baking soda with something acidic produced similar results.

This year, start your dinner before you leave the house in the morning. Put together a traditional Irish stew, consisting of lamb, potatoes, vegetables, beef broth, a variety of seasonings and let it simmer in your crock-pot on high for six to eight hours.

Don’t forget the crusty bread to dip in the broth, and a dark Irish stout to complement the stew.

Finally dessert—to some, perhaps the most important part of the meal.

Some desserts can be prepared a day in advance. An Irish cream
cheesecake, or Baileys crème brule are desserts you can make in
advance.

And don’t forget the Irish coffee which is black coffee with Irish whisky and topped with fresh whipped cream.

As always, try something new, and have fun when planning your menu. For an added touch, you can dress the part by wearing green.

Log on to www.sayrelyns.com for these delicious dessert recipes.