St Patrick's day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Not just because corned beef is one of my favorite foods, it is also because of the way my family would celebrate it every year. My grandmother was always decked out head to toe in green. I don't just mean the way people normally do, she would have on a bright green wig, green stockings, green shoes with curly toes and a green top. Every year she would change it up a little and maybe add some green eyelashes, but no matter what she wore it was full out festive. She would spend all day cooking at least five corned beefs for the 20-30 people that would be attending. There would be homemade soda bread, of course the potatoes, carrots and cabbage and then some green jello with cabbage and a white sauce. That part I did not like, but my sister did. In the background of all the joy and laughter "Oh, Danny Boy" would be playing on an 8-track. St Patrick's day has always been a joy because of these memories. Even when I was just cooking corned beef for myself, I loved the holiday. That just meant I didn't have to share it with anyone. Below I have pulled together a number of delicious recipes that you can cook to start your own St Patrick's day traditions. I have included my grandmother's amazing corned beef recipe. Which really can't be beat. You will want to keep it for yourself as well!
Grandma's Glazed Corned Beef Corned beef needs to be cooked one hour per pound. This recipe has you boil it for half the time and bake it for the other half. When it is in the oven you coat it with either jelly or maple syrup, giving it a delicious crunchy, glazed outside. It gives the corned beef a flavor you will never have experienced before.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Every year there is the big decision to make, do I just boil the potatoes or make mashed potatoes. I generally end up making these creamy mashed potatoes to go with my cabbage and carrots. Garlic Roasted Cabbage Wedges If boiled cabbage isn't your style, try roasting it instead. This simple recipe will give you a crunchy, caramelized cabbage full of garlic flavor to enjoy with your corned beef. Irish Soda Bread Soda bread is not everyone's favorite. It can be too dry for some people, but it should make an appearance at every St Patrick's day celebration for those that love it. 30 Minute Shepherd's Pie If corned beef isn't your thing or you don't have time to cook it, this Shepherd's pie is a great option. Hearty, delicious and it can be made in 30 minutes. Skillet Roasted Lamb Loin with Herbs For those looking for something a little more traditionally Irish, lamb is the way to go. This skillet roasted lamb is a simple way to cook it and it won't take all night.