Irish Faire Perfect for your St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Honestly, while I can eat corned beef, I am not a huge fan of it. Or rather, should I say my acid reflux is not a huge fan. So, I tend to avoid making it, which leaves me to come up with other alternatives for our annual St. Patrick's Day dinner. But honestly, I love the challenge.

Here are some dishes I've tried over the years, and some that are on my list for future St. Patrick's Days.

First up is my family's recipe handed down to from my Grandmother Velma. She comes from a line of Lawsons and Garveys (O'Garvey), both of Irish descent. This bread recipe can be made into rolls, as many people prefer.

Grandma Velma's Irish Potato Bread

Allan Rosenberg/Cole Group/Photodisc/Getty Image

There is also this yummy recipe from Taste of Home for Irish Soda Bread {click here} which I'll be serving up this year.

Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

As far as the rest of my menu, here is what I am making:
Dubliner Irish Chicken {click here}

Photo courtesy of Kerrygold USA | ORNUA FOODS NORTH AMERICA INC

as well as Roasted Ranch Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese {click here}

Photo by Joyously Domestic

I will also be paring it was some steamed asparagus, and for dessert caramelized pears with pistachio creme. (Pictures and recipes to come later.)

12 Other ideas:

Bangers & Mash {click here}

Best Ever Shepherd's Pie 

Irish Fish and Chips {click here}

Boxty, aka Irish Potato Pancakes
Side note: Serve your Boxty with smoked salmon or roast beef & gravy.

Irish Lamb Stew {click here}

Rachel Ray's Irish Pub Meatloaf {click here}

Irish Pork Stew {click here}

One-Pan Irish Chicken {Click Here}

Irish Farmhouse Chicken Casserole

Irish Chicken and Dumplings {click here}

Irish Soda Bread Pizza! {Click here} - True, perhaps this isn't a traditional, ancient Irish recipe, but it is an authentic one, and one the kiddos will love!

Gammon Steak (Irish Ham Steak) {click here}

Holiday Treats

No doubt we all have some favorite treats around the holidays.  Here are a three of mine and it's not too late to try them, because they are great for New Year's too!

No-Bake Cookies {{Click for recipe}}

Monkey Bread {{Click for recipe}}

Cinnamon-Spiced Nuts {{Click for recipe}}

Blogspot Confessions: I Cheated

Ok -- so here's a confession. I cheated! Yep it's true.

It all started back when I lived in the Bridgeside Landing apartments as a young mom with little bebes. There were lots of other young moms with lots of little bebes too. We decided to do a weekly play group and rotate hosts. Whomever hosted provided the snacks. Well, all of these moms and their fancy schmancy million dollar delectable treats intimidated me. I thought about trying some of the things they had done. But let's face it, I'm lazy.

Instead, I began several processes of trial & error using simple recipes (or even worse - a MIX) and just embellishing slightly. The result? They thought I was a rock star and the next thing I know the neighborhood chicas were calling ME a "regular Betty Crocker".

I have since actually made things from scratch and many good things too, if I do say so myself. And much of it comes from experimenting or substituting this or that for something the recipe calls for which I don't have on hand. I actually enjoy cooking and baking now.

I have also since realized that my enthusiasm for cooking possibly/probably stems from my need for positive attention. "Back in the day" I needed to feel accepted by these seemingly oh-so-perfect housewives and moms. I also enjoyed the praise my many coworkers would give me when I brought something to the monthly potluck. It was their words of encouragement that motivated me to continue. My oldest at the time was only 4 years old and was a picky eater, as was the other parental unit. I remember trying new recipes for dinner and then getting offended or hurt that no one would even want to try them. But having a new audience, a new panel of judges per se, was exciting. It filled my need for praise and affection in a way I can't describe. I've heard that a lot of times people eat as a way to fulfill something they are lacking. I think I cook and bake for that same reason, or at least that's why I started to years ago.

I finally feel like cooking is something I am really good at. True, I will never be a gourmet chef. (My ADHD prevents me from even READING a recipe with all of those ingredients, haha.) But I love to cook and bake and please my family, (selfishly) knowing I'm gonna get some sort of praise in return -- even if it's just them eating a second (or third) helping.

I am actually grateful for my friends and family who were bold enough to let the accolades and "atta girls" roll off the tongue. If it weren't for them I might still be serving pasta-roni for dinner every night. :)

I guess the bottom line is we all need encouragement when trying new things. We all want to feel appreciated. We all want to hear we've done a good job. I admit, I "cheat" a little here or there with cooking. I am all for short cuts. But does it really matter how I got here? No. My kids love the stuff I make so that's all that really counts. I admit, it sort of pleases me to think that one day one of my kids will tell their spouse, "You should ask my mom how she makes it." :)

I think this is one area where cheating is acceptable. :)

If interested you can check out my recipes and cheats here: {{Simply Simmer}}

Better than What?

It's called "Better than Sex" cake. Seriously. I didn't make that up. The recipe has been around for years, and that is what most people call it. In case you've never had it, here is the gist...

You bake a chocolate cake, and while it is still warm you poke several holes with a fork or spoon handle and pour a jar of caramel sauce over the top. After the cake has cooled you spread whipped cream/cool whip on it and the top with hershey's syrup and a crushed Heath bar. Chill until ready to serve.

Now, there are several variations to this. Some don't use the hershey's syrup, while others use a Skor bar instead of Heath.

Last night, my friend and neighbor Chelsi made me a Better than Sex cake, and let me tell you- it was better than...

...any other Better than Sex cake I've ever had! Seriously. I am not a diabetic and the stuff almost put me in a sugar coma!

Chelsi used a Butterfinger bar instead of going the toffee bar route. It was delish! But there was something else different. My guess is that it had to do with her caramel sauce. Perhaps it was a premium brand or maybe it wasn't even caramel sauce. Butterscotch perhaps? I don't know, but I will have to ask. Because like I said... it was sooooo good!

Definitely the best I've ever had!

Calling All Chefs...

If you enjoy cooking as much as I do - then perhaps this little contest will interest you. I am a fan of Secret's In The Sauce (SITS) blogsite for blogging women, and here is their newest contest. Check it out - and tell 'em I sent you (hahaha).

http://sitsgirlsrecipes.blogspot.com/

Here is the recipe I plan to submit...

Mouth-watering Pot Roast

4-5 lb pork roast
Seasoned Salt
2-3 medium red potatoes
2 cans Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup (not cream of mushroom)
Water
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Place roast in Crock Pot. Season all sides with seasoned salt. Wash potatoes and quarter (no need to peel). Add potatoes to crock pot. Add soup and fill with enough water to cover roast. Cook on HIGH 8 hours, or until pork shreds easily. Salt & pepper to taste.