Sleepin' In

PATRICK'S DAY

Truly American

try it irish

THE AMERICAN RENDITION

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.. Everybody is Irish today. Even my neighbor Raul is Irish, and, Antonio. By the way, so too are, Tim, Mike, and Barney.
.. Contemporary America knows just how to celebrate: green rivers, green beers, green underwear, green gills, drunken revelry, fisticuffs, clovers instead of shamrocks, cartoonish elves, etc.

SOME IRISH PANCAKES

.. In Ireland an American would not even know it's "St. Patricks Day." The day would start with a pretty typical breakfast that, (because it's special,) features Irish pancakes.
.. Traditionally the pancake feasts start on Shrove Tuesday. Normally they are served with a heavy sprinkle of sugar and a squirt of lemon.

MODERN IRISH SODA BREAD

.. At table it's a roll your own circus with recent additions of Nutella, Marmalade, and jams thrown in the mix. Most interestingly these are made with more butter than even a French Chef could imagine and are wonderfully smooth and eggy.
.. Through the day the only Guinness® beer enjoyed is the regular stop at the neighborhood pub. Now that Guinness has more than 20 named beers, it's more than likely 'not the draught stout.' Indeed the 'blond' is a growing favorite.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

.. During the long day the kitchen is busy with standard fare. Breads being baked and potatoes being prepared are the tasks for family members - even the men.
.. Slowly, Irish bread makers are introducing yeast into the traditional soda bread recipes.
.. We've tried some: loses something in translation.
.. A 'special' meal is prepared for special days. On this day it usually consists of boiled bacon, (Irish style,) two sorts of potato preparations, carrots, cabbage, breads: (soda, griddle, crumpets, etc.)

Colcannon Mash

.. The sure signal that the meal is extra special is the Colcannon Mash: four kinds of spuds, grated parsnip and turnip, leeks and cabbage boiled in milk. 
.. It's all mashed with parsley and butter then,  browned under the broiler with butter in the "well on top."
.. Boiled bacon is really a bit of pork shoulder that is cured, boiled on the joint for a couple of hours and, served thickly sliced.

A SPECIAL IRISH MEAL

.. The special parsley sauce is reserved just for this cut of meat.
..  The white sauce is a white wine / parsley / cinnamon / butter concoction. 
.. This bacon is served much thicker than American bacon and is reminiscent of a good ham. 
.. The bacon is usually accompanied on the plate with boiled cabbage, boiled carrots and, boiled potatoes, (small and very soft.)
.. We do this each year at this time. We're not Irish but, the meal is a superlative assortment of flavors. Besides that we prefer beef Pastrami to corned beef and cabbage slathered with French mustard.
..  We've allowed ourself to sleep in. For shame, for shame! We now have to embark on kitchen destruction in order to have a Patrick's Day dinner.

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WALLPAPER:   THE IRISH WAY