How to Cook a St Patricks Day Menu 

Many of you want to learn how to cook a St Patricks Day menu in preparation for dinners and parties for the upcoming fun day. Although I am not Irish, I had a very close neighbor woman at one time who gave me many tips of Irish cooking. She pointed out that much of it is similar to my German background, using many of the same ingredients such as potatoes.


When you learn how to cook a St Patricks Day menu, you will find that none is special without Irish potatoes recipes. The versatility of potatoes is evident in Ireland. You might have a colcannon recipe made with mashed potatoes and onions and other ingredients like kale or cabbage and maybe even sausage, thick and creamy potato soups, lamb stew, potato cakes, pancakes and even potato candy; the options are endless for Irish potatoes.


According to history the potato was taken to Ireland from the New World in the 17th century. Because of the cool moist climate there, combined with the fertile soil, the potato thrived and quickly became known as a nutritious important crop of Ireland. The people recognized the potato as a cheap filler food for families which also was very delicious. Everyone planted them and it became a staple of the country.


When I learned how to cook a St Patricks Day menu, I found that it could include entrees of many Irish stew recipes, corned beef and cabbage or bacon and cabbage, roast beef; all cuts of lamb, beef and pork are used as well as the organ meats. Most of the locally grown animal meat is available for cooking. In past years venison was very popular and large outdoor pits were built to cook the meat. Various types of poultry are included in the Irish cuisine. The exception is the poor; they usually depend on milk, eggs, butter and cheese to fill their diets. For this St Patricks Day, I am making lamb chops using local ingredients like butter, heavy cream and Irish whiskey.


Unlike our traditional tossed lettuce salad recipe that we have with every meal, the traditional Irish salad recipe is not tossed or mixed in any way. I am adding this to my St Patricks Day menu. A head of lettuce (Bibb or iceberg) is washed and cored. It is then opened from the middle and placed in a salad bowl just as the leaves are on the head. On top of the lettuce leaves (which would be the center of the head only opened) arrange some watercress, thin slices of beets, cucumbers, small tomatoes and pieces of boiled eggs. Serve this salad with the salad dressing recipe below.

HOW TO COOK A ST PATRICKS DAY MENU like this
IRISH APPETIZER RECIPE

The creamy seafood cocktail sauce recipe makes this a favorite Irish appetizer recipe; especially for those located near the coast where seafood is readily available.

  • 1 Pint mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon Irish whiskey

Cleaned and cooked shrimp or other shellfish

Blend together until smooth; serve over any shellfish. Makes 2 ¼ cups.

IRISH SODA BREAD

No St Patricks Day Menu can be complete without Irish bread recipes and Irish soda bread is the most famous. There are hundreds of recipes for this bread, some with dried fruit like raisins or currants and many without. However you choose to make it, it is a delicious bread; crusty on the outside and the buttermilk gives it a great texture on the inside. Serves 6 to 8 people.

  • 6 Cups flour
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 Teaspoons salt
  • 4 Teaspoons sugar
  • 2 ½ Cups buttermilk
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 ½ Cups raisins

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a large bowl; set aside.

Combine buttermilk, butter and raisins; add to dry ingredients stirring until moistened.

Turn dough out onto a well floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic about 5 minutes.

Place on a greased baking sheet; shape dough into a 1 ½ inch thick circle. (About 12 inch round loaf)

Bake at 325F degrees for 1 hour or until bread sound hollow when tapped.

Remove to a rack to cool for about 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.

SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

This salad dressing recipe is for serving over the traditional Irish lettuce salad for the St Patricks Day menu.

  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 Cup cream
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon dry mustard
  • 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise or sour cream
  • 2 Boiled eggs, separate white from yolks

In a bowl or glass pitcher add vinegar to cream and stir in; blend in sugar, mustard and mayonnaise until smooth.

Run yolks through sieve and blend in the dressing.

Dice egg whites fine and stir in dressing; spoon over salad.

GAELIC LAMB CHOP RECIPE

Gaelic Lamb Chops for a St. Patrick's Day MenuGaelic Lamb Chops for a St. Patrick's Day Menu

I am using this Gaelic lamb chop recipe as the main recipe for my St Patricks Day menu. Not only is it delicious but it shows the historical rivalry between the Irish and the Scots. The “Gaelic” refers to the dialect of some of the Scots and is still in existence in the highland region. The Irish whiskey used in this recipe displays the competition which still exists between the Irish and Scottish distilleries. The cream sauce in this lamb chop recipe made with the Irish whiskey offers a subtle flavor when spooned over the chops. Makes 4 servings-adjust recipe for more guests.

  • 8 Lamb chops, cut ½ inch thick
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • Salt/ pepper
  • 1/2 Cup whipping cream
  • 2 Tablespoon Irish whiskey
  • Greens for garnish

Trim excess fat from lamb chops; melt butter in large skillet. 

Sprinkle chops lightly with salt and pepper; brown chops on both side in melted butter.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Remove chops to a heated serving platter and keep warm.

Add Irish whiskey to skillet; simmer whiskey in skillet for 2 minutes. 

Stir in whipping cream. 

Heat mixture gently (DO NOT BOIL) stirring up bits in the skillet.

Pour sauce immediately over lamb chops; garnish with greens and serve.

Served 4 to 8; lamb chops are small so each may want two chops.

IRISH POTATO RECIPE

No St Patricks Day menu celebration is complete without Irish potatoes.

  • 5 Large potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 Large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ Cups cream
  • Salt/pepper
  • 4 Tablespoons butter or more

Layer thinly sliced potatoes in buttered baking dish; salt and pepper and dot with butter.

Then add a layer of thinly sliced onions; salt and pepper and dot with butter.

Continue layering until all potatoes and onions have been used.

Pour enough cream over dish to cover vegetables.

Place in oven at 350F degrees until browned and potatoes are tender. (About 45 to 50 minutes)

If potatoes get too brown before they are tender lay piece of foil loosely on top. Serves 6 to 8 depending on vegetable size.

NOTE: Make sure pan is deep enough that cream does not boil over.

CONGEALED SALAD RECIPE

I am adding more of the local Irish vegetables to my St Patricks Day menu in the form of this congealed salad recipe. These congealed recipes are very popular in many of the other countries, more so than here in the United States. They are very light and tasty. This recipe uses the local carrots, cabbage and spring spinach; and is green with lime gelatin.

  • 1 Package (6 ounces) lime gelatin
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 2 Cups boiling water
  • 2 Cups cold water
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 ½ Cup finely shredded carrots
  • 1 ¾ Cups finely chopped cabbage
  • 1 Teaspoon minced chives
  • 1 ½ Cups finely chopped spinach

Dissolve gelatin and salt in boiling water; add cold water and vinegar.

Chill mixture until slightly thickened; divide into 3 equal portions.

Fold carrots into one portion and pour mixture into 9 X 5 X 3 inch loaf pan; chill until set but not firm.

Fold cabbage into second portion of gelatin; pour into pan on top of carrots; chill until set but not firm.

Fold spinach and chives into third portion of gelatin; pour into pan on top; chill until firm.

To serve unmold on platter lined with lettuce leaves; slice in 8 to 10 servings.

GRASSHOPPER PIE RECIPE

I am rounding up my St Patricks Day menu with this delicious dessert; grasshopper pie recipe. I am not sure of its origin but it is GREEN and very delicious. Plus, I know a lot of Irish people love crème de menthe as I do. You won’t be disappointed with this one!

  • 32 Large marshmallows
  • ½ Cup milk
  • ¼ Cup crème de menthe syrup
  • 3 Tablespoons white crème de cacao
  • 1 ½ Cups whipping cream
  • Few drops green food color
  • Grated semi sweet chocolate
  • Chocolate cookie crust

Prepare chocolate cookie crust below; let cool.

Heat marshmallow and milk in medium saucepan over low heat; stir constantly until melted.

Refrigerate marshmallow mixture until a little thickened; stir in crème de menthe and crème de cocoa.

Beat whipping cream in large bowl until stiff; fold marshmallow mix into whipped cream.

Fold in green color and pour into chocolate crust; sprinkle grated semi sweet chocolate over top.

Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.


CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
  • Mix 1 ½ cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs and ¼ cup melted butter.
  • Press mixture firmly against bottom and sides of ungreased pie plate.
  • Bake 10 minutes; let set until cold.