Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17th March, the traditional date of death of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. What better way to celebrate St Patrick and his beloved Emerald Isle than by tucking into some delicious Irish fare? Try one or more of these tasty recipes for a St Patrick’s Day to remember!
Baked potato soup
A traditional, hearty soup that is both filling and delicious. You will need:
4 large baking potatoes
? cup butter
8 cups milk
? cup flour
1 minced garlic clove
1 cup sour cream
6 chopped green onions
14 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
Heat oven to 350F and bake the potatoes until tender. Melt butter in a medium saucepan and gradually blend in flour with a wire whisk until thoroughly blended. Cook the roux (flour in butter) until pale and golden. To the roux slowly add milk, then the garlic and season to taste - whisking constantly. Cut potatoes in half. Scoop out the flesh and set aside. Chop up half the potato peels and discard the remainder. When milk mixture is very hot, whisk in potato. Add green onion and potato peels. Whisk well. Add sour cream and crumbled bacon and heat thoroughly. Add cheese until all is melted. Serve with Irish Soda Bread. Serves 8.
Irish Soda Bread
Soda bread is a variety of bread in which baking soda is used as a leavening agent instead of the more common yeast. Soda bread is easy, inexpensive and very quick to make, as it requires no kneading. Serve with butter as a side to Irish stew or soups. You need:
3½ cups flour
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pint sour cream
2 eggs
¾ cup raisins
Directions:
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl beat eggs and stir in sour cream. Add the egg and sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon. Batter will be very thick. Add the raisins and stir well with wooden spoon. Place batter in a greased 9 inch springform pan. Dust the top with enough flour so that you can pat the batter evenly into the pan without it sticking to your hands. With a knife, make a shallow crisscross on the top. Bake for 50 minutes in a preheated 350ºF oven. Serves 16.