Tasty Recipes for St. Patrick's Day

Cider Corned Beef and Cabbage

• 4 lb. corned beef brisket (do not rinse)
• 4 large carrots cut into large chunks
• 8 small onions, chopped into chunks
• 1 teaspoon powdered English mustard
• 2 teaspoons of Allspice
• 1 large sprig of fresh thyme and several parsley stalks tied together
• 1 large cabbage
• 1 quart of apple cider
• 3 large tart apples, cored and sliced into 12 pieces
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of flour
• 1/2 cup of cold water
• 16 sm. potatoes, boiled in their skins until tender (not falling apart)
• 1 stick of butter, melted slowly with 1 Tablspoon of dried parsley

1. Put the corned beef into a large pot with the carrots, onions, mustard powder, Allspice and herbs.

2. Cover with apple cider; bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Skim fat from top as it rises.

3. Discard the outer leaves of the cabbage and cut into quarters or eighths. Put back in the pot and cook for another hour or two, until the meat and veggies are tender. Add the apple chunks in the last hour. Remove the tied herbs and discard. 

Remove the meat and vegetables to a warm platter, covered, to keep warm.

4. Mix the flour and cold water well. Slowly pour the flour/water mixture into the cider pan juices and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring with a gravy whisk, until thickened.

5. Serve the corned beef cut into slices and surrounded by the carrots and onions, boiled potatoes with parsley-butter, and the corned beef cider gravy on the side.

Irish Coffee

In a large coffee mug, mix six ounces of freshly brewed coffee with 1.5 ounces of Irish whiskey and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Float sweetened whipped cream on top (do not mix in) and sip slowly while listening to "Oh Danny Boy.”

Potato Soup

• 6 large or 8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut up
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/3 stick margarine or butter
• Milk
• Salt and pepper

Cook potatoes and onion together in a large pan with just enough water to cover. If necessary add water while cooking. Do not drain when done. Whip with hand beater until it resembles mashed potatoes. Add butter or margarine. Beat until it is melted. Add milk a little at a time, until desired thickness. Salt and pepper to taste.