Happy St. Patrick's Day! My last year's holiday feast is pictured above. I still prepare the Irish American tradition of a boiled Corned Beef and Cabbage, Potatoes and Carrots blend, and Irish Soda Bread. The past two years I've also included a Shepard's Pie at our holiday feast, because my entire family is now able to dine together, since my husband and I moved to Colorado from New York City. We have a full table again!
Last year my Shepard's Pie was topped with sweet potatoes for a change up.
This year I went back to regular potato topping with grated Dubliner brand Irish cheddar cheese on top. Both versions are fabulous! I make Shepard's Pie quite a bit all year long, and also change up the mix from ground beef, ground lamb, to ground turkey -- we like all mixes equally well. It is a complete and delicious meal! If you don't already have your own favorite recipe for Shepard's Pie, I promise to share my recipe the next time I prepare it.
My grandchildren have just a drop of Irish in their heritage. They are also part Italian, Ukrainian, German, English, Scottish, Dutch ......and who knows what! True Americans! The baby loved the soda bread this year and the boys loved playing with their Daddy's vintage Star Wars toys more than eating. Both boys have been ill with a croupy cough the past week, so I babysat the little grandson a few days so my daughter-in-law could still teach her pre-school classes. The other days of the week I babysat my granddaughter. I'm a busy grandmother all week long, but I love to help out whenever I can.
I gave my Irish Soda Bread recipe a few years ago on this post. Even though I am cooking it at the high altitude, now that I live at 6,200 feet, it came out delicious as always without any alterations -- a big relief!
This year I added an extra Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread to our holiday dinner so that my daughter-in-law and younger grandson, who both must eat gluten free, could also enjoy it. It was another relief as it came out wonderful! I'm sharing the recipe so that all who need to eat gluten free can enjoy it this St. Patrick's Day, and all year round.
Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix--I used King Arthur Flour Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 cup raisins
1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
I cup buttermilk
Directions:
Heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a cookie sheet with butter, oil, shortening or non stick GF spray
In a bowl mix well GF flour mix, baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt, caraway seeds, raisins
In electric mixer bowl add butter, sugar and whip until blended. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, mixing slowly, alternating with buttermilk, until both are all added, ending with the flour mix.
Remove dough from mixing bowl to a well gluten free floured surface and knead gently a few times until the mixture comes together as a ball. Place the ball on the greased cookie sheet. With a knife, cut a cross into the dough across the top. Place in 450 F oven for five minutes, then reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees F for another 25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown in color and sounds hollow when you tap on it. Remove from oven and pan to a cooling rack and cool. Wrap in aluminum foil and keep refrigerated, if not serving right away. You can re-heat in a low oven before serving.
The loaf rose beautifully, and held its shape well when cut into slices. My son said that the taste was almost exactly the same as my regular soda bread! Success! Leftover slices are wonderful toasted and served with butter and jam.
Of course St. Patrick's Day means more than food, or parades or wearing green or any of the other traditions that have evolved around the holiday. It is really about blessed Saint Patrick himself. We honor him as the saint who converted many of Ireland's pagans to Christianity through his mission in the early part of the Fifth Century. I visited his grave in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, a few years ago, as you can see in the photo above. I also visited the St. Patrick Centre in Downpatrick that told the story of his life in beautiful exhibits. You can click here to read the post I did for both sights.
One of the exhibits in the Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.
Awwww Pat!! Look at your adorable grandkids! Awwww they're totally growing! :-) Lovely!
ReplyDeleteNow that soda bread... yum!!!!!! It looks just like regular soda bread too!!
Wishing you and your family a lovely happy and yummy filled St Patrick's!!
Take care
x
I have tears in my else reading this.... So that we , the sinners of this earth, might be called the children of God. That says it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI was going to do a post honoring St. Patrick, too, but I couldn't get my pics loaded. So I am glad you shared this. Lovely, Pat. So lovely.
And those grandlittles are precious, and I am loving the gluten free soda bread!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
xoxoxox
Sheila
Happy St. Patrick's Day, Pat!! What a wonderful post too, the meal and the bread looks delicious.. Thank you for sharing the recipe!! Enjoy your new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you to.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice hearty meal Pat! I love the sweet potatoes on top of the Shepard's Pie. Happy St. Patrick's Day-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteI could make a meal on the soda bread! Enjoy your special day and sharing happy times with your family! Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that you are truly enjoying being in Colorado with all of your family. Your meal looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you found a gluten free recipe that was good. Your meal looks great! Your grandkids are so cute! Happy St. Patrick's day.
ReplyDeleteA tasty looking St. Patrick's day meal. How does the GF soda bread taste compared to your original recipe which is like mine?
ReplyDeleteI buy the Dubliner brand Iris cheeses too, expensive but very good.
Oh how blessed you are to be able to share the holiday with all your kids and grandkids. The meal, the bread - it all looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making us a part of your St Patrick's celebration. Wow does it look wonderful. I don't bake much (because it IS just the two of us here for the winter), but it looks wonderful. I might have to try it and invite company.
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day! I remember your wonderful food preparations for this holiday last year... Made me think that ALOT has happened in your life this past year.... Amazing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat post--and that bread looks GREAT.
Hugs,
Betsy
Your meal looks delicious! We had our corned beef yesterday and it was delicious! I have never tried Shepherd's Pie with sweet potatoes, but it sounds good. I will have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteIt is always fun to read your St. Patrick's Day post. What a great meal you were all able to enjoy together. My grands and I had the discussion about their heritage and it sounds a lot like yours. American boys is a good way to put it! Your little American girl looks very adorable...growing so fast.
ReplyDeleteScrumptious meal Pat for all your family to enjoy! You're having the time of your life, so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteYour sweet grandchildren are really growing. You always have the most interesting posts, Pat. Your meal looks delicious and the bread looks wonderful, too. I know you enjoy it all the more with your precious family around your table!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipe and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too. Your grands look like they adore having you nearby.
ReplyDeleteYou have surely made me hungry now. My daughter is making corn beef and cabbage tomorrow. Can't wait.
Karen
Thank you for the recipe and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too. Your grands look like they adore having you nearby.
ReplyDeleteYou have surely made me hungry now. My daughter is making corn beef and cabbage tomorrow. Can't wait.
Karen
Thank you for the recipe and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too. Your grands look like they adore having you nearby.
ReplyDeleteYou have surely made me hungry now. My daughter is making corn beef and cabbage tomorrow. Can't wait.
Karen
Your grands are so cute...
ReplyDeleteand the bread...ummm
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Your grandchildren are just adorable and I'm sure they loved your scrumptious looking dinner too! What a great post and thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeletePat, thanks for the recipe. I'll have to make some. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteLots of yummy foods and adorable kids.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.1sthappyfamily.com/2014/03/random-monday.html
That is a wonderful picture of the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely traditions, Pat... and fun to see your grands! :o) St. Pat's day is also special to TJ & I as it's our wedding anniversary! 14 years this year... wow. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteHello Pat,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing pictures of your beautiful grandchildren dressed in blue.
You're family must love having you close by.
Have a Happy Blue Monday!
A fabulous St Patrick's Day post. I bet your family are pleased to have you in Denver when you are cooking up a storm for them.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed that you can babysit all week and still make such a huge feast on the weekend! Good for you Pat and it all looks delicious! Sigh, we are having leftovers tonight and my husband is even half Irish.
ReplyDeleteYour feast looks delicious! I am glad you got to celebrate with your family! Are you doing a big feast for your dh on the 19th? I thought I would try some arancini in honor of my Italian friends. They are always happy to celebrate St. Pat's with me!
ReplyDeleteWe missed you at the blog crawl, Happy SPD!
What a delicious looking feast! Your Irish Soda bread must be devoured to the last crumb!
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day, Pat, I hope everyone is soon feeling well again.
What a great post for St Paddy's day ~ wonderful photos ~ adorable children ~ Happy St Paddy's Day to you and your family ~ xxx
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol
Pat - what adorable Grands! Our youngest Grand, Sam, got sick yesterday while the family was here. He had that cough thing about a week ago but this time fever/runny nose. I think I washed my hands a million times after wiping his nose. Poor little guy! His mommy said this AM that he was up most of last night. Your feast looks delish! I'm afraid I'm making a non-traditional bison meat loaf tonight... I'm sending your gluten free recipe to my friend.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your St Patrick's day post Pat. it's wonderful that y0u make such a terrific meal for your family. The luck of the Irish to You and yours!
ReplyDeleteWe're not Irish but every year on St. Patrick's Day we make sure that dinner is corned beef and cabbage.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated St. Patty's Day. I know you must miss NY on this day. Your soda bread turned out perfect and the altitude didn't affect it one bit.
ReplyDeleteSam
Everything looks delish. I must try the gluten-free Irish soda bread knowing it turned out so well.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing your great St. Patty's Day celebration - hope the grands are feeling better soon!
Mary
I love your festive St. Paddy's Day table. Everything looks delicious. The Irish soda bread recipe is really appreciated. Enjoyed visiting you from Penny's Tasty Tuesday party. Will be back to visit Pat.
ReplyDeleteThe other Penny
How interesting this post is my dear Pat !
ReplyDeleteYou know I love cooking and your pie is really so yummy, it seems like 'panettone ligure', the traditional pie we use to eat during Christmas Holidays :)
Your grandchildren are so much lovely, my friend, and sorry for beeing late for wishing to you all happy St.Patrick's Day !
Have a beautiful course of the week <3
Dany
Happy St. Patricks Day yesterday Pat! Your Irish dinner looks delicious! Thank-you for sharing. I love history and photos of your adorable grandchildren :) Shepherds Pie is one of my husbands favorites so I'm looking forward to your recipe. Our daughter always made it for Dad most Fathers Days when she was still at home. How special your family now can all be together Pat. Margaret from B.C.
ReplyDeleteThe food looks yummy. Thanks for the recipe and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Irish post...with such yummy looking fare! I'm a little late to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day...but may the 'wind be always on your back...and the sun shine warm upon your face'!
ReplyDeleteYour St. Patricks food looks fantastic and the soda bread looks amazing! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen