According to legend, St Patrick was kidnapped by Irish Pirates and taken to Ireland to be a slave when he was approximately 16 years old. He was there for about six years before he escaped and returned home, but later returned as a bishop. Of course, he is now the patron saint of Ireland and he is celebrated every year on 17 March.
Celebrating St Patrick’s Day need not be limited to waving flags and dressing up. There are plenty of other things you can do to celebrate, including playing music, dancing and giving gifts. Why not hold a party and prepare some food as well?
Everybody’s Irish Cocktail
Some St Patricks Day gifts are almost too good to be true so why not start as you mean to go on with a celebratory drink. This cocktail has a bit of a kick: Jameson Irish Whiskey (what else?), green Chartreuse and green crème de menthe, all served in a cocktail glass.
Irish Leek and Potato Soup
The leeks give this a soft green colour and it’s a traditional Irish dish. It could form your first course if you don’t serve too much.
Green Irish Soda Bread
Ok, so the green is not traditional but it does fit in with the St Patrick’s Day theme. Use spinach to colour it so it’s natural too. If your friends can’t make it to your party and you don’t want to share this great-tasting bread, companies such as Shamrock Gifts have a range of St Patricks day gift ideas to send instead!
Oven Poached Salmon with Spinach Butter
Using salmon and Irish butter make this almost traditional. It would go really well with the following course.
Cheddar Horseradish Colcannon
Colcannon is mashed potato mixed with cabbage or kale (kale will give it a darker green colour). This version has the addition of a good Irish cheddar cheese and, if it suits your taste, horseradish sauce.
Although not strictly traditional, corned beef, which goes well with this recipe, started to be associated with St Patrick’s Day in the United States around the beginning of the twentieth century.
Emerald Isle Cocktail
This simple to make cocktail is just gin, green crème de menthe and bitters, served in a cocktail glass. The crème de menthe gives it an emerald green colour. Perfect to finish the celebrations.