Get Your Shamrock On!

Written by Brandi Jackson

Slainte! Cheers to good health. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated cultural holidays to date. Every year on March 17, the Irish, and the Irish-at-heart across the globe, observe St. Patrick’s Day. Originally observed as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland, it has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green. Aside from the obvious celebrations in the United States, Ireland, and England other countries like Japan, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Argentina and Germany (just to name a few) also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. For those of you who gave up alcohol and certain foods for Lent, you will be pleased to know that March 17th is a guilt free cheat day, in the eyes of the church. Whew! So indulge!

US Cities such as Boston, Chicago and New York are known for their HUGE St. Paddy’s day celebrations. Chicago dyes the river green and NYC turns the Empire State Building into a glowing emerald. Parades, parades and more parades. Green beer and more green beer! Let’s be honest, the Irish will gladly celebrate the day with any type of libation. The food? Oh boy, the food! Corned beef and cabbage, potato soup, Irish soda bread, corned beef hash, just to name a few dishes.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a holiday, it’s a part-y-day. Clayton Gray Home is here to help you celebrate.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet

10 small red potatoes

5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges

Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound or until tender.

Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes.

Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the Dutch oven or large pot) as you want. Slice meat across the grain.

Irish Coffee

1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1 tsp brown sugar
6 oz hot coffee
heavy cream

Combine whiskey, sugar and coffee in a mug and stir to dissolve. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix.

We wish you a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day and will send you on your way with this;

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand”

― Irish Blessings

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face And the rain fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand”

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May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand”