Monday, March 19, 2012

Traditional Irish American Feast!

Having been made in a crock pot (or slow cooker) this meal was simple, fast to prepare, and easy to serve!

Corned Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8 hours

Ingredients:
  • 1 Corned Beef Brisket from the store (I got mine half off at Albertsons)
  • 1lb bag of baby carrots
  • 5 large red potatoes or 1lb bag of small red potatoes
  • 1 medium to small sized white onion
  • 1/2 head of cabbage (or the whole thing depending on the size of your crock pot)
  • 1 cup of water
Cut the potatoes and onion into quarters ( or 1/2 inch chunks). Mix with the carrots and place half of the veggie mixture into the crock pot. Unwrap the corned beef brisket and rub the spices that come with it if desired. Place on top of veggies, fatty side down. Place remaining veggies all around the brisket. Cook on LOW for 7 hours. If you start this at 9:30am your dinner will be ready to serve by 6pm.
when your meat and potatoes have cooked for 7 hours slice the cabbage in half twice lengthwise and place into the crock pot on top of the meat. Continue to cook on LOW for 1 more hour.

This is when you would start your Irish Soda Bread.


Brennans Irish Soda Bread

Of all the soda bread recipes ive tried this one is by far my favorite. I follow this recipe to a "T" and it always turns out great! I found it on Allrecipes.com. Its fast, easy and goes GREAT with corned beef and cabbage!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir the milk and vinegar together, and allow to stand until curdled, about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually stir the soured milk into the flour mixture until the dough just comes together, and turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead a few times, and shape into a round. Place the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut an X shape into the top of the dough to release steam and help the bread keep its round shape. (i also dusted mine with flour, giving it a more rustic look)
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 45 minutes. (i left mine in for 40 minutes)

Put on some classic Celtic music for added Irish atmosphere and have yourself a Happy St. Patricks Day!

An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.