This St. Patrick’s Day, Savor The Luck of the Irish—One Tasty Treat At A Time

Who needs traditional corned beef and cabbage with a side of soda bread this St. Patrick’s Day? It’s easy to have bring a little Irish fun into the kitchen. Whether throwing a St. Paddy’s themed bash or making fun treats with the kids over the weekend, here are a few recipes that will put a smile in your Irish eyes!

BREAKFAST

Shamrock Pancakes

Forget green eggs and ham! Start off your St. Paddy’s day morning with bright green pancakes. This recipe is gluten-free, but any instant pancake mix can be used.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Bisquick Gluten Free mix (or mix of your choice)
• 1 cup rice milk (or other milk of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• pinch of cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• green gel food coloring until you get the desired green color

Directions:

1. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat or to 375°F. Grease griddle or skillet with oil or butter.
2. In large bowl, stir all ingredients until well blended.
3. For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook pancakes until bubbles form on top and edges are dry. Flip and cook until golden brown.

(Recipe and photo courtesy of TwentyOne No Gluten)

SNACK

St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn

Give this simple snack a sweet Irish twist with a drizzle of a brown sugar mixture and a few drops of green food dye. This is a great recipe if you need something to bring to a party or, cut the recipe in half if you want a festive bowl of popcorn to share with your family.

Ingredients:

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter
• 8-10 drops green food coloring

Directions:

1. Place popcorn in a large roasting pan; keep warm in a 250° oven. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugars, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 260° (hard-ball stage).
2. Remove from the heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring. Drizzle over warm popcorn and toss to coat. Cool. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Taste of Home)

DESSERT

Green Velvet Cupcakes

These cupcakes are certainly more fun than rum-raisin rice pudding—and take less than an hour to prepare and bake!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups oil
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon green food coloring
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Combine eggs, sugar, oil and vinegar in bowl.
2. Mix well.
3. Sift flour and baking soda together.
4. Add to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk, mixing well after each addition.
5. Blend in vanilla and food coloring.
6. Pour into 3 greased and floured 8 " cake pans.
7. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
8. Cool
9. Frost with a frosting if your choice—and for some extra luck—top with edible gold dust

(Recipe courtesy of Food.com)

DRINK

Shamrock Shake

For some, March means McDonald’s has brought back the popular Shamrock Shake. You can make this minty concoction in your kitchen. All you need is a blender! (For lactose-free shakes, substitute milk and ice cream with soy or rice products.)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 ¼ cups 2% low-fat milk
• ¼ teaspoon mint extract
• 8 drops green food coloring

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
2. Stop blender to stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend ice cream.
3. Pour into 12-ounce cups and serve each with a straw

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Food.com)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!