This weekend is turning out to be a busy one for entertaining, with dinner parties planned for both Saturday and Sunday. I’ve been incredibly indecisive with menu planning lately, whether we’re having company over or not, and it’s set to drive me mildly insane. I’m really hoping it’s just a passing phase, but in the meantime, it sure making menu planning … um … challenging.
To tell you the truth, even with a last name like O’Malley, it hadn’t occurred to me to plan an Irish menu for Saturday’s night festivities. Even though The Neighbor and I just sat and tied up thirty-six St. Patrick’s Day-themed goodie bags for the kids to give out at school tomorrow. I very rarely make Irish food, save for corned beef and cabbage once a year, and just hadn’t thought “Irish” for Saturday night. But I’m rethinking that … told you I’ve been indecisive lately.
Now I’m leaning heavily towards a very Irish-themed dinner and need your help. What are you making? Have good Irish tried-and-true recipes to share? I have a recipe for corned beef with cabbage, potatoes and carrots, so I’m more looking for recipes for everything else. Starters? Sides? Desserts? And then something for the kids since I can almost certainly guarantee they’re not going to touch any of this. As for drinks, I’m going to go with the traditional Black and Tans for the gents, at least that’s the plan, especially since I have mastered the technique of layering the liquids in a glass. I know, it’s a skill that will serve me well over the years. But I still need something green, preferably frozen, for us non-beer-drinking frou-frou drink loving females to drink.
So, c’mon, hit me with your best shot. Whatcha got?
Until tomorrow…
One year ago today … cute shoes and chocolate.
Two years ago today … mmm, one of my favorite types of food.
Sounds like you’re going to be having fun this weekend. I have to go around and get door prizes for a fundraiser that I’m organizing next Saturday. Unfortunately, the people who I delegated that task to did NOT do their job. :-(
I’ve just realized that I have now been reading your blog long enough to recognize the “a year ago” links! Fun stuff!
If I recall correctly, the new mint chocolate Baileys is greenish. I don’t like it as much, I’d be tempted to just put food coloring in normal baileys and serve it, possibly frozen into slushy form, with brownies.
There’s a recipe in a magazine called Cuisine at Home for a Whiskey-Glazed Corned Beef. It looks really good. I’d be happy to e-mail you the recipe if you like.
My first thought for a froo-froo drink was Baileys but then I remembered an absolutely decadent drink I had on a cruise last year called a BBC (Bailey’s Banana Colada). You can search the net for lots of recipes for it.
My vote for drinks is Appletini’s.
It’s GREEN.
The Neighbor (wife)
Claire – the “year agos” are a nice way to remember what we were up to, because a lot of times I forget! :)
Tanya – just printed out a few recipes for Baileys/Irish brownies, and a cheesecake … decisions, decisions.
Barbara – yes please! That sounds divine. :) The BBC sounds delish – The Neighbor Wife, you listening?
Green margaritas for the girls. Some sort of Guiness cake or guiness cupcakes for dessert. As for the actual meal, boiled dinner is all I’m good for!
I’m hosting a St. Pat’s get together tomorrow, so a couple ideas for appetizers/desserts that I’m using are;
cheddar ale soup (I serve it with baguette slices as a dip; my recipe is on my blog under the “party food” tag);
corned beef dip (about equal parts of cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, a little worcestershire sauce and seasoned salt, and finely chopped up leftover corned beef) served with either wheat crackers or thin bagel slices;
and Guinness brownies (a pretty typical brownie recipe with the addition of a cup or so of Guinness; I don’t have the exact recipe on me at work, but there are plenty floating around the internet, I’m sure).
Hope that helps!
I always make the traditional corned beef & cabbage with veggiesbut last year I tried colcannon and it was a big hit! Here is the link to the recipe I made http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dianes-Colcannon/Detail.aspx
Brilynn – I was debating about Nigella’s Guinness cake; it’s gotten good reviews.
Lisa – glad to hear you liked that Colcannon recipe – that’s the exact one I printed out. How can you go wrong with bacon and a well of melted butter?
Charisse – mmm, Beer Cheddar Soup would be a great idea. Passed the dip recipe onto The Neighbors to make. ;)
I’m making potato pizza as the main course for my St. Paddy’s Day, but you could easily adapt it as a side. Not exactly traditional, I know, but still in the spirit of things.
And for green frou frou drinks, there’s always Creme de Menthe.
Why not use a Bailey’s brownie base for a cheesecake?
And for the kids, green milkshakes (with a little peppermint extract) are sure to please.
~Molly
….I can’t believe nobody has mentioned Irish Soda Bread yet! :) Gotta have that there, too!
(e)m