As the Irish say, “Never iron a shamrock. You don’t want to press your luck!” We may laugh with the Irish but when it comes to celebrations and food, the Irish are serious.
If you happen to be Irish (isn’t everyone on March 17th? ) try these Gaelic recipes and invite hungry Seniors and friends over for a meal not soon forgotten.
Breakfast: Green Eggs and Ham? Green doughnuts? A Breakfast Casserole would feed a number of leprechauns and is much more nutritional.
Ingredients:
4 white bread slices, cubed
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage, crumbled and cooked
3/4 cups grated sharp cheddar
5 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Butter (only pure Irish butter of course!
Method:
1. Grease 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Place bread in prepared dish.
2. Top with sausage and cheese. Beat together eggs and next three ingredients. Season with pepper.
3. Pour over sausage mixture. (May be prepared 1 day ahead. Chill.)
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake casserole until puffed and center is set, about 50 minutes.
Lunch: An Irish Kitchen Prayer summarizes the joy of celebrating with family for any reason. “Bless us with good food, the gift of gab and hearty laughter. May the love and joy we share be with us ever after. Amen.” Bridge to Better Living enjoys a good lunch and hopes their clients always feel welcome at the table.
Farmhouse Vegetable Soup
4 Tbsp. butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 leeks (white parts only),
2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
4 cups vegetable broth
2/3 cup half and half
3 Tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
salt and pepper
Melt butter in large stockpot. Add vegetables, cover and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. Puree until smooth. Whisk in half-and-half, and season with parsley, salt and pepper. Simmer until heated through. Serves 4-6.
Dinner: Notice… Jello is not a customary St. Patrick’s Day food. Instead, try a traditional Irish dish.
Corned Beef and Potatoes
5-6lbs. – Corned Beef, Brisket
Cabbage, Green, Quartered
Carrots 1” Pieces
Onion, Sliced Thick
2 lbs. – Potatoes, White, Diced
2 tsp. – Mustard Seed
1 Tbsp. – Pepper
6 Bay Leaves
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp. All Spice
¼ Cup – Vinegar, Apple Cider
Place corned beef in a large stock pot. Cover with water. Add the pickling spice packet included with corned beef package, spices, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 2.5 hours or until the beef is fork tender. Remove meat and add vegetables to the stock. Simmer until tender.
Seniors who use Bridge to Better Living are not all Irish, but each unique client considers themselves lucky. A stress-free, streamlined experience is offered by Bridge to Better Living’s staff. Start your transition journey now. Look for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!