HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!

I'm 1/4 Irish and love to celebrate life! So join me and eat, drink and be Irish! I've got a couple of recipes that will help you celebrate. Just add the drink!

Slow Cooker Old-World Corned Beef and Vegetables

It’s that meat-and-potatoes meal everyone dreams of coming home to. And now you can!
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 9 hours 15 min
Makes: 10 servings

2 1/2 pounds medium new potatoes, (about 8), cut in half
2 cups baby-cut carrots
1 cup frozen small whole onions, thawed
1 corned beef brisket (3 to 3 1/2 pounds)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

1. Mix potatoes, carrots and onions in 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Thoroughly rinse corned beef; discard seasoning packet. Place beef on vegetables; sprinkle with pepper. Mix 1/2 cup water and the Worcestershire sauce; pour over beef.
3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender.
4.Cut a small head of cabbage into 6 wedges, and place on top of the corned beef in the slow cooker for a more filling meal.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 340 (Calories from Fat 160 ); Total Fat 18 g (Saturated Fat 6 g); Cholesterol 95 mg; Sodium 1120 mg; Total Carbohydrate 28 g (Dietary Fiber 3 g); Protein 20 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 100 %; Vitamin C 12 %; Calcium 2 %; Iron 18 % Exchanges: 1 Starch; 2 Vegetable; 2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.


Irish Soda Bread

Whether or not you're Irish, this classic quick bread recipe brings great taste into your kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 55 min
Makes: 1 loaf (14 slices)

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup raisins, if desired
3/4 cup buttermilk

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease cookie sheet.
2. Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins and just enough buttermilk so dough leaves side of bowl.
3. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Shape into round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep through loaf with floured knife.
4. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter or margarine, softened, if desired.

Nutrition Information:
1 Slice: Calories 110 (Calories from Fat 25 ); Total Fat 3 g (Saturated Fat 2 g); Cholesterol 10 mg; Sodium 240 mg; Total Carbohydrate 19 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 3 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 2 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4 %; Iron 6 % Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.