Aside from irrepressible wit and that adorable accent, my absolute favorite thing about the Irish is their food! Not only do traditional recipes contain potatoes galore (yum!) but Irish cuisine is also packed with fresh ingredients, rich flavor and tons o’ nostalgia. The Crew and I are prepping the kitchen for our annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities and we wanted to share with you some of our favorite Irish-inspired recipes we’ve come across since this time last year!
First off, what better way to start an Irish feast than with Pub Cheese?! Stephanie Tate recently won a Blue Ribbon for her horseradish-cheddar version, and it has fast become a party fave for us. “We love the pub cheese at Trader Joe’s,” says Stephanie. “[We] didn’t want to drive to get it, so I hopped in the kitchen to see if I could recreate it. A friend says she likes this one better now!” Score one for the home cook! Like Stephanie, we really enjoy her recipe’s strong horseradish flavor, but do of course adjust the levels to your liking. A simple blend of cheeses, mustard, stout ale and kicky seasoning, this is a great last-minute appetizer.
Corned Beef and Cabbage is a St. Paddy’s day staple for my family. Whether you’re trying it for the first time or looking to find a recipe for this old favorite, Janette Suber has just the ticket in her straightforward Fried Cabbage and Corned Beef. Her recipe is very accessible to cooks of all skill levels… and you’d never guess that such a flavorful dish is so simple to prepare. “My dad’s mother used to fix Corned Beef and Cabbage with cornbread for him when he was younger, one of his favorite meals,” says Janette. “I took the recipe and changed it up a little… My dad, my family and friends love it. Hope your family and friends love it too. This recipe is a good stick to your ribs meal.”
While your cabbage is simmering it’s time to get started on another of our all-time favorites: the Irish Boxty! Boxties are simply fried potato cakes that well, frankly, are the perfect accompaniment to Janette’s rich, savory corned beef. Home cook Nancy Patrykus recently shared with us a beloved boxty recipe that came from her Irish friend, Colleen, who moved to the United States in 1940. You can taste the authenticity in every bite of these darling, savory cakes. Potato, flour, onion and basic seasoning are fried to a spectacular golden brown then served with applesauce and sour cream. Goodness, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!
And as if that weren’t enough, chef Scott Anderson presents his over-the-top decadent tribute to Irish desserts: Irish Creme Moussecarpone Pie! This is a chocolate-lover’s must-try. “This pie was created after working with Wisconsin mascarpone [cheese] in a variety of fashions including simply blending equal parts of mascarpone and chocolate,” explains Scott. “I took it one step further and created a crispy crust of fresh chopped pretzels, a little bit of butter and some brown sugar for sweetness.” Oh, and don’t forget the addition of zippy Irish Creme liquor! The recipe calls for just a small amount, but it’s enough to add a subtle flavor to break up the intense chocolate of the pie. “It’s a nice dessert to have ready in a few minutes,” continues Scott. “Your guests will think you went to great lengths; going to a bakery to purchase the pie or that you spent a lot of time in the kitchen creating this masterpiece.”
And more than anything isn’t that why we love celebrating all things Irish this time of year? It’s the coming-together of friends and the merriment that surrounds simple indulgences. Like Just A Pinch, the Irish are a welcoming, come-as-you-are culture with a strong sweet tooth and love of real food… Now that’s something I can drink to!
Sláinte!