St. Patrick’s Day Menu

Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Irish Tea Cake
Irish Soda Bread

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*Items most likely available at Caritas

Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 9 hours Total: 9 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients:

*4 large carrots peeled and cut into chunks

*10 potatoes, quartered

*1 onion peeled and quartered

4 cups water

1 4-pound corned beef brisket with spice packet

*1/2 head of cabbage

Directions:

Place the carrots, potatoes and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker, add the water and place the brisket on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle on the spices from the packet, cover. Set the cooker on HIGH and cook for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, add the cabbage that has been cut into wedges and cook till tender. Serves 8.

Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread

Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 50 minutes Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup buttermilk

*1 egg

*1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Stir in the 1 cup of buttermilk and the egg. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form the dough into a round loaf and place on a prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the 1/4 cup of buttermilk; brush the loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an “X” into the top of the loaf. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45-50 minutes.

NOTE:
– Optional add-ins; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 1 cup dried currants, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
– Buttermilk may be substituted with 1 cup regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken and sour.

Irish Tea Cake

PrepL 10 minutes Cook: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

*2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 cup milk

Poewdered sugar for dusting

Fresh Berries and whipped cream for topping. (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round baking pan. In a medium bowl, ream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into the batter alternately with the milk. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes, turn out onto a serving plate. Just before serving dust with powdered sugar. If desired top slices with fresh berries and/or whipped cream.