Green with Envy Steppe

While I may not be Irish, St.  Patrick’s Day has easily become one of my favorite holidays through the years.  The older I get the better it seems to get.  It is one of the few days a year where I can be assured that all my friends will come together.  As a kid it meant donning head to toe green.  As a teenager it meant a smile brought on by the Shamrock shake (thank you McDonald’s).   In my 20’s it easily was the largest drinking party of the year.  Now in my 30’s it has become a day to bring friends together, filled with great food (I could eat corn beef and cabbage everyday!!!) and a still some drinking (goodbye to the days of binge drinking though).  Below find my inspiration board for a great Irish get together!

Photos from left to right): http://www.twirlandtaste.com/2009_03_01_archive.html, http://www.mahalo.com/answers/green-beer-origin, http://www.createmyevent.com/2009/03/index.html, http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/03/flowers-and-tables-2.htmlhttp://www.homeandfamilynetwork.com/holiday/st-patricks-day/ ,  http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744062515, http://www.smosh.com/smosh-pit/lists/7-ways-hook-leprechaun

As I said Saint Patrick’s Day to me means good eats.  Find some tasty and different finds for your Saint Patrick’s Day feast below.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/corned-beef-and-cabbage-rolls-recipe/index.html

Corn Beef and Cabbage Rolls:

Cook 6 Savoy cabbage leaves in boiling water, about 2 minutes. Rinse under cold water and pat dry; slice in half. Mix 1/4 cup each mayonnaise and chopped parsley and/or dill; spread on the cabbage leaves. Cut 2 slices rye bread into strips. Slice 1/2 pound corned beef into strips and toss with a spoonful of whole-grain mustard. Top the cabbage leaves with a few strips each of the bread and corned beef. Roll up and slice in half.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/irish-grilled-cheese-recipe/index.html

Irish Grilled Cheese: (I am a sucker for grilled cheese, it just gives me that all over good feeling so there had to be a way to work it into my St. Patrick’s Day feast)

Mash 4 tablespoons softened butter with 2 tablespoons each chopped parsley, scallions and chives. Spread the mixture on 4 slices white bread; top each with sliced Irish cheddar cheese and bread-and-butter pickles. Cover with 4 more bread slices. Spread plain butter on the outside of the sandwiches and fry in a skillet until golden on both sides. Spread the remaining herb butter on the warm sandwiches. Slice into quarters, then press the cut sides in more chopped herbs.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/beer-battered-broccoli-recipe/index.html

Beer Battered Broccoli

Whisk 1 cup beer, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup chopped parsley and a pinch of salt. Let the batter rest 1 hour. Dip 4 cups broccoli florets in the batter and fry in 375 degrees F vegetable oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream.

Whatever you may decide to do with your St. Patrick’s Day be sure to bring out your inner Irish.  With some of these above recipes you will certainly inspire some green envy from party guests!