Try attracting leprechauns with green food and drinks ? The Western ...

We are almost through the winter season, so let?s start brightening things up by celebrating St. Patrick?s Day.

Wear green to avoid a stinging pinch, enjoy Irish food, such as beef, potatoes and a green refreshment, and do not forget to decorate with lucky shamrocks.

Our family?s most memorable St. Patrick?s Day was when my daughter decided to set a leprechaun trap.

Her class had made one at school, and she had heard how the creatures could lead us to a pot of gold.

She set up a course of Barbie furniture to entice a leprechaun.

Well, St. Patrick?s Day came and went without an actual sighting, but we did find gold chocolate coins and strange marks outside the house, which was proof enough in her mind.

Each year, we still toast with a green drink to good luck and consume a few chocolate coins to remind us to just have some fun. Laughter can cure so much at such a low cost.

Limeade fizzy

Try this tart green drink to celebrate Saint Patrick?s Day. It can be an accompaniment or alternative to green beer.

In a tall glass, combine three heaping tablespoons of partially thawed limeade frozen concentrate with low sodium club soda. Add spirits such as gin, white rum or vodka if desired. For an even deeper green colour, add a few drops of green food colouring.

Baked potato soup

This can be a warming appetizer or main course. Serve with crackers. It?s great when the family wants homemade soup at the last minute.

• 4 baking potatoes
• 2 1/4 c. chicken broth 560 mL
• 2 c. milk 500 mL
• 1/2 c. cooked and chopped bacon or real bacon bits 125 mL
• 2 c. grated cheddar cheese 500 mL
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 c. sour cream 125 mL
• salt, pepper and paprika to desired taste

Poke small holes in the potatoes and cook on high in the microwave for five minutes, turning halfway through, or bake in the oven until soft and tender.

In a large microwavable bowl, mix the broth and milk and add the peeled cooked potatoes. Microwave for six minutes, stirring after three. When finished, gently mash the potatoes in the liquid. Reserve 1/4 c. (60 mL) of the bacon and cheese and one tbsp. (15 mL) of the chopped green onion and add the rest to the milk mixture and stir well. Season to your personal taste.

Top with the reserved ingredients and a dollop of sour cream. Serves four.

Note: You can make this soup on the stove top over medium heat if you prefer. Stir frequently.

Source: www.kraftcanada.com.

Beef and green pepper pasta skillet

This is such a quick and easy meal that is sure to please. Add some fresh veggies and bread and the meal is complete.

• 1 lb. ground beef 454 g
• 1 green pepper, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 c. fresh mushrooms, finely chopped 250 mL
• 1/2 ?375 g box of oven ready lasagne noodles (approx 10), broken into pieces
• 2 c. water 500 mL
• 2 1/2 c. pasta sauce of your choice 625 mL
• salt, pepper, seasoning salt and a dash of cayenne pepper
• 1 c. grated cheese of your choice 250 mL

In a large oiled skillet, cook the beef, pepper, onion and mushrooms over medium to high heat until the beef is browned. Drain. Stir in the water, pasta sauce, uncooked pasta and seasonings. Mix thoroughly.

Heat to a slight boil, stirring often, and then turn down heat to low for 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Sprinkle with grated cheese and enjoy. Serves four.

Pot of gold cupcakes

Our local school organizes an annual bake sale fundraiser. Cupcakes were the hit, with beautiful coloured icings and sprinkles. The cupcakes with the glistening gold coins attached were a crowd pleaser.

They are even more tasty served with jiggly green Jello.

Use 24 prepared chocolate cupcakes or try this homemade version for your party. Garnish with fresh sliced kiwi fruit or crisp green grapes.

• 1 1/3 c. flour 325 mL
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1 mL
• 2 tsp. baking powder 10 mL
• 3/4 c. cocoa 175 mL
• 1/8 tsp. salt 0.5 mL
• 3 tbsp. softened butter 45 mL
• 1 1/2 c. sugar 375 mL
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla 3 mL
• 1 c. milk 250 mL

Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C) and prepare muffin tins.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and the sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and stir in the vanilla. To this, add the flour mixture alternately with the milk until well combined and smooth.

Fill muffin tins approximately half full. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Frost.

Source: www.allrecipes.com.

In a small mixing bowl, beat two tbsp. (30 mL) of softened butter with 1/2 c.(125 mL) softened cream cheese until smooth.

Add 2 c. (500 mL) icing sugar a bit at a time until well combined. Spread over the prepared cupcakes and decorate with chocolate coins or green jujube shaped into a shamrock.

Source: http://www.producer.com/2012/03/try-attracting-leprechauns-with-green-food-and-drinks/

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Tags: beef

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