RAMBLINGS & RECIPES - Happy St. Patrick's Day 2019

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!  We boil our corned beef and cabbage, add a few drops of green food coloring to our beer or grab a bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme. 

And when we've drunk enough, we venture out into the world in search of the leprechauns... those wee people who can lead us to that pot of gold... enough gold to allow us to buy more green beer and Bailey's.

And of course we search for shamrocks.  Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Christian Holy Trinity, but there's no evidence that he ever really did that. 

So instead, people wear shamrocks on their coats and hats and close the day by "drowning the shamrock". That's where they place it in a glass of whiskey before drinking.

Our Irish blessings are many. 

May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true. And the kindness you spread, keep returning to you. 

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.

May your joys be as deep as the ocean, your troubles as light as the foam. And may you find sweet peace of mind, wherever you may roam.

And then there are a few sayings that say it all...

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with blarney.

Yes, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  But when March 17th is over, please resume your normal nationality. See you all on May 5th when we're all Mexican.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned Beef with seasoning packet

New potatoes

Baby carrots

Cabbage

Parsley

Salt & Pepper to taste

Fresh grated Parmesan cheese and/or mustard is optional

Place the corned beef in a large pot and cover with water. Sprinkle in the seasoning packet. Surround the meat with small new potatoes and baby carrots. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer on low for the time indicated on the corned beef package.  Cut cabbage into wedges and place in the water 15 minutes before you are ready to eat.

Remove meat and vegetables from water. Allow meat to sit for a few minutes before slicing. Sprinkle potatoes with parsley and sprinkle cabbage with parmesan cheese if you like. You can also add a bit of mustard on the side if you like that with the meat.