Traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal

Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Meal

Maybe you’re like millions of others – you don’t have a lot of time but you still like to make holidays fun. And with that the thought of planning and cooking something special probably doesn’t sound too appealing. But the good news is – you can make a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal very easily – in fact, you can use a crock pot!

Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional meal most people associate with St. Patrick’s Day.

Main Ingredients:

• Corned Beef Brisket (3 pounds) & Spice Packet
• Small Red Potatoes (10 -12)
• Red Onion (1 - diced)
• Carrots (5 – peeled and cut into small pieces)
• Head of Cabbage (cut into small wedges)
• Water (3 cups)

Cooking Instructions:

• Add vegetables to crock pot. Combine contents of spice packet with 3 cups water – then pour over vegetables. 
• Add brisket to pot – then top off with cabbage.
• Add cover and cook on low for approximately 8 – 9 hours. Meat and vegetables should be tender at completion.
• Place cabbage and vegetables in separate bowls. Add broth to bowls. Place brisket on a platter and slice to serve.

Don’t Forget About Dessert!

What could be more appropriate for a St. Patrick’s Day dessert than a rainbow cake or cupcakes in a jumbo size? And the best part is – this recipe is easy!

Ingredients Needed:

• White Cake Mix - 2 Boxes
• White Cake Frosting – 2 Containers
• Water – 2 ½ cups
• Vegetable Oil – 2/3 cup
• Food Color – Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare paper muffin cups or you can choose to make a rainbow cake.
• Add cake mixes, egg whites, vegetable oil and water to large bowl and mix until thoroughly blended.
• Separate mix into six smaller bowls. Add food coloring to create the following colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange (add 10 – 12 drops of yellow color and 4- 5 drops yellow), and Purple (9-10 drops red color and 5 – 6 drops blue).
• Begin each muffin (or the bottom layer of the cake) with 1 tablespoon) red batter.
• Build the color layers of the rainbow as you desire using all 6 colors you created.
• Bake for approximately 35 minutes (test by lightly touching center of cake/muffin or by inserting a toothpick).
• Cool for 10 minutes before adding frosting.

There you have it – a delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Debbie Allen is a regular contributor at Package From Santa blogs. She writes about everything from everyday lifestyle tips to craft projects and recipes and even about holiday traditions like writing letters to Santa .