Luck of the Irish

Come the month of March, I like to buy stock in green food coloring -and soon everything I ingest is a greenish hue. I think it's fabulous, Mr. thinks it's odd. But I look past this, and do what I want!

I draw the line at coloring cabbage and meats. I just can't do it. But I can trade my coloring for an irish banquet. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is an annual feast day which celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a day celebrated with parades, the wearing of green, and of course, beer. It's also popular with many people because it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring.

Make this St. Paddy's Day memorable with these Irish-inspired recipes. And remember, if you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough! 'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'

This is what we had last week:

Sweet Irish Whiskey Glazed Corned Beef
Servings: 4 - 6 Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 9 hours on low
This corned beef cooks all day in the slow cooker. Just broil the corned beef to make the sweet Whiskey glaze (we used bourbon whiskey) a few minutes before serving it up for your St. Patrick's Day Supper.

DIRECTIONS
• 3 lb corned beef brisket
• 1 lb red potatoes
• 1/2 lb carrots
• 1 bottle(s) beer
• 1/4 cup(s) orange marmalade
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 1 tbsp ketchup, low sod.
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
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1. Place red potatoes, carrots (cut in 2 inch pieces), and 1 beer (we used Sam Adams lager) in a slow cooker. Place trimmed corned beef on top. Most corned beef comes with a seasoning packet. If it does, add the seasoning packet to the slow cooker. Cook for 8-9 hours on low (4-5 on high).

2. Remove corned beef from slow cooker. Whisk together bourbon, ketchup, marmalade and vinegar. Brush over corned beef. Broil beef about 6 inches from heat for 5 - 6 minutes or until it caramelizes.

3. Thinly slice corned beef against grain and serve with carrots and potatoes (quartered).

Second Beef Recipe
Muenster and Corned Beef Press
Servings: 2 Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 20 min.
We usually buy deli corned beef for these sandwiches but it is also a great way to use up your corned beef dinner leftovers.

INGREDIENTS
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DIRECTIONS
• 1 head cabbage (green), thinly sliced
• 1 cup(s) chicken broth, low sodium
• 4 slice(s) rye bread
• 1 tbsp butter, with salt
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 4 oz deli corned beef, cooked
• 2 slice(s) muenster cheese

1. Combine cabbage and chicken broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let simmer and cover for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and season with s&p.

2. Spread butter on four slices of rye bread. Place buttered side down and spread dijon mustard on each slice. Top two slices with corned beef, cabbage and a slice of cheese. Top with remaining two bread slices.

3. Cook on a heated panini press (or in a grill pan with a heavy pot on top) for 4 - 6 minutes or until crispy and cheese is melted.

Tea-se me

The amount of tea choices at the local grocery store is a bit overwhelming.  However, trying to find a tea that doesn't contain "Natural flavoring" is quite difficult.  After giving up ALL forms of sugar (minus that in fruit), it has come to my attention that no one knows truly what is in certain products. I always assume that tea was healthy - don't ask me where or when I started to believe that, but I did.

However, after spending a solid hour in the Tea/Coffee aisle, it became clear to me that most teas actually contain sugar in some form.  The Republic of Tea wins the prize for the most varied tea choices, but which ones are good for you?  I suppose they are all better than a soda, but when you are attempting the Whole30, you need to pay attention to what you are brewing.

I like the idea of canisters, though I feel like it's a waste just throwing them out.  What can you do with them when you are done with the tea?

The coconut Cocoa tea sounds WONDERFUL, especially with a splash of your choice of milk (almond milk I prefer).  To me, this seems like dessert :) The plus side to this is that it's Caffeine free.  Hey - you could do worse damage to your body, right?