Recipe(tried): Corned Beef (crock pot) and St. Patrick's Day Ideas

Crock Pot Corned Beef

I cook corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots and onions. The corned beef is done in the crock pot simply because it takes so long. I simply cover it with water and let it go. The spices included in the pacakging of the meat are all you need. Then, a couple of hours before dinner I take most of the juice and pour it in a BIG pot. This is used for cooking everything else. The carrots and potatoes go in together since they take about the same amount of
time, then the onions a little later and lastly the cabbage. I tend to do it like the Irish and cut things in big pieces. Potatoes are usually done in halves unless they are really big. When everything is done and everyone is ready I have a big platter that I put the sliced meat on down the center. Around the meat I arrange the potatoes, carrots and onions. The cabbage goes into a bowl.

I use a white tablecloth, Green Bubble Depression china and usually green wine glasses. I am fortunate in that I travel to Ireland on business and have experienced some of their traditions, but most of this came from my immediate
family. I have a wonderful Guinness Cake recipe you might want to think about. It needs to be made a couple days ahead and refrigerated but it's well worth the work. With dessert I have coffee in Irish Coffee Cups that belonged to my sister. We don't usually have Irish coffee because we are too full and my daughter and family have to drive home.

There are some great decorations in the stores right now for St. Patrick's Day. Little inexpensive things that would make your table look very festive. I have some of those strings of the little Irish guys that I usually hang around the mirror. There are Shamrock plants available.

Have a great time with this holiday. It's a happy one with no strings. If you would like the recipe for the cake please let me know.