Irish Classics Updated

 Saint Patrick's Day is Friday and with that comes an array of Gaelic dishes . They are classic recipes  yet can be updated for a zingy and fun holiday meal. 

One of the easiest and tastiest is colcannon. This is taking either fresh or leftover mashed potatoes and adding veggies to them. Green onions are added along with butter and cream. Many home chefs use left over green cabbage  but for a more buttery flavor try Savoy cabbage instead.This is a rich yellow colored one  that doesn't have a strong flavor like the greey variety. Another update is adding kale and spinach for a deeper jewel color along with adding more nutrients. You could also add sauteed yellow onions or scallions.If you want it to be vegan, then add almond milk and Melt butter to it.Irish stew is another Gaelic treat. It's usually made with lamb but you can vary it with beef and even vegan beef crumbles.It has carrots parsnips and turnips however you can easily switch ip up to sweet potatoes and onions.Tomato paste is also put in but you can used roasted tomatoes as well for a smokier taste.It's flavored also with a good stout but you could experiment with pale ales or other brews.

Of course one of the most famous Irish recipes is Irish soda bread . This is a quick bread that receives its' leavening from baking soda instead of yeast. The other ingredients are pretty simple and classic, buttermilk, raisins , a pinch fo sugar and a pinch of salt. To change it up a bit use Craisins , drired cranberries for a sweeter , tangier flavor or currents. Some home bakers use thinned yogurt instead of the buttermilk or kefir - a fermented milk drink for a tarter flavor. For a sweeter one  think  chocolate chips, yes chocolate chips. You can also add rolled oats ( a staple in an Irish breakfast) along with brown sugar. This would be the perfecr bread to have on St Patricks' day morning with a steaming cup of coffee or tea as you watch the parade. A hip dessert served by many home and professional bakers is stout cupcakes. These are a heady and rich mix of the thick foamy ale with cocoa powder  and chocolate chips. These can be served without icing or a buttercream one laced with Bailey's Irish Cream or coffee .

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with updated recipes. You can still have your soda bread and Irish stew. Just zing it up a bit for some flavor and fun.

Easing Into Lent

 With Lent comes sacrifice. Many swear off meat , dairy or sweets .This is their way of fasting which is good and mindful. However it can be a shock to the taste buds to give up beloved foods. There are ways to ease into it.

Luckily there has been an explosion of all sorts of vegan meats in the  last few years.It's easy to give up beef , poultry and even seafood. Gardein has been a leader in this and you can visit any grocery or Target to buy their products. Their hamburgers taste exactly like the real ones and they're even good grilled outdoors. They also have meatballs, which are perfect for subs or if you're thinking of making Swedish meatballs and egg noodles. The company also produces chicien nuggets  and thick crispy tenders. These are so much like chicken itself that KFC is even putting out Gardein nuggets in various locations.Try their fish filets which are beer battered along with fries ro their crab cakes. If you're also thinking about giving up egg then go to Just Egg. This a substitute , using mung beans to get that eggy flavor and rich beaten yolk yellow color. Make a scramble for the family using it and spinach. Add Morningstar Farm's soy bacon which can get as crisp as actual bacon when microwaved.Also incorporate more beans such as kidney and chickpea for protein boosts. Think more dishes with veggies and rice like stuffed cabbage or a filling ratatouille.

As extreme as it sounds giving up dairy is also doable for Lent. There are so many plant and nut milks out there. If the kids do have a nut alllergy then use soy or oat milk. Both work in many recipes calling for dairy along with satisfying an afterschool need for a glass fo chocolate milk. (in fact many of these milks also come in chocolate now and can be bought in small bottles or boxes for lunch boxes), Almond milk is a nice ,creamy alternative and can be bought in gallon containers. If you do cave in and want a treat remember there are non diary yogurts and ice creams to snack on. You may even like these so well that you'll be eating them after Lent has finished. As for butter , try Melt. This plant based spread tastes exactly like the real deal and can be used in eveything form baking to cooking to being spread on toast or bagels. Maybe the hardest Lenten sacrifuce is giving up sweets. This is where a push for a healthier diet comes in. Try an apple for dessert. You could slice it and then dip in cinnamon for something different. PIneapple cubes are another great meal ender along with being a good snack. Think about getting fruit cups like Aldi's pears in syrup which are light tasting or any fruit salad cup like Acme's Signature brand mixed fruit ones. As for candy, nuts can do the trick if you want a snack or popcorn. Raisins or Craisins are fun snackables that you can eat by the handful.

It's a good and mindful thing to have some sort of sacrifuce during this important time in the Christian calendar. However it's best to ease into this new diet .Use these sub for meat , daiiry and sweets tomake that time effortless.