top o' the mornin' to ya

Irish salutation usually accompanied by the opening of a bottle of Killian's.

Want to celebrate? Let's get traditional. While our follower base is still small I'm going to leak a secret family recipe, not my family's actually but a good friend's with a direct connection to the homeland.

Listen up for "Irish Cream Liqueur"
1 3/4 cup liquor (Irish Whiskey, Brandy, Rum, Bourbon, Scotch, or Rye Whiskey)
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whipping or light cream
4 eggs (can use substitute)
2 tbs chocolate syrup
2 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract

Combine all ingredients in a blender at low speed. Serve over ice if desired. Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to one month. Serve alone or after Corned Beef and Cabbage…and Irish Soda Bread of course, or how about the even more traditional -

Irish Stew

3 lbs lamb cubed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 - 1/2 cup oil
2 large onions
3 large carrots
6 stalks celery cut into 1/2 nice slices
12 oz Guinness Stout
4 cloves garlic crushed/minced
3 large potatoes
6 sprigs fresh rosemary
6 sprigs thyme (can use dried if necessary on the herbs)
2 qts lamb or beef stock
1/2 cup whole barley
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Coat meat pieces with flour/salt/pepper and brown in oil in a large sturdy cooking pot. Add onions chopped, carrots and celery cut in hunks and saute until onions are transparent. Add garlic and Guinness and cook one more minute stirring all the while (can add some of stock when mixture gets too sticky).

Add cup up potatoes and whole barley and enough stock to cover all ingredients. Stir everything together adding rosemary and thyme and bring to boiling while stirring. Then reduce heat to low and simmer at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding stock if necessary until meat is tender.

Check seasoning, stir in fresh parsley and serve in big bowls with Irish Soda Bread and more Guinness.

Of course, after sautéing the meat and vegetables, you COULD do the whole thing in the microwave but a leprechaun might just pop in your window and start smashing things up so be careful. (Leprechauns usually take the form of a small old man in a red or green waistcoat).

Happy St Patty's Day to you all!