i am embracing my irish american chef today

Oh what would St Patrick's Day be without a good  Irish American meal. Of course my relatives in Ireland probably would  think this was a little strange, but hey we enjoy it. Probably the only thing that really is embraced by the Irish that I'm going to have today is beer. There's no Guinness in the house so we'll have to settle for a Stella which is a Belgian beer- but in a green bottle. So- I put my corned beef, cabbage, potatoes. carrots and onions into the slow cooker and then gathered up my ingredients for my Irish Soda bread- American style.  This is what we ended up with. I hope you all had a Happy St Patty's as well. 

Irish Soda Bread

INGREDIENTS:

4 c sifted flour
1 1/2 tsps baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 c sugar
1 c raisins (or cranberries for a nice change)
2 tbsp melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1 tbsp caraway seeds

DIRECTIONS:

Mix dry ingredients. Mix butter, eggs and buttermilk. Stir into dry ingredients. Use a 2 qt pan (like a pyrex) because it works the best  since this batter is rather moist. (it may be necessary to add more flour). Don't forget to put the cross on top with a knife..

 Bake at 350 degrees for 1.25 hours.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

INGREDIENTS: 1 medium onion, cut into wedges 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered 1 pound baby carrots 3 cups water 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 bay leaf

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp cider 

vinegar

1/2 tsp pepper

1- 3 pounds of brisket corned beef with spice packet

1 small cabbage cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS:

Place the onion, potatoes and carrots in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet; pour over vegetables. Top with brisket and cabbage. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.