Potato Leek Soup

I made this Potato Leek Soup last weekend for our St. Patty's Day Party and it got rave reviews. I followed it mostly as written. I doubled it, but did not have 2 pounds of leeks. I had 1 pound, some scallions and a small onion so I added those too.  I made it ahead of time and kept it on low in the Crock Pot until serving!

Leek Potato Soup Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

1 pound leeks, cleaned and dark green sections removed, approximately 4 to 5 medium
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Heavy pinch kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
14 ounces, approximately 3 small, Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 quart vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon snipped chives

Directions Chop the leeks into small pieces. In a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and a heavy pinch of salt and sweat for 5 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the leeks are tender, approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the potatoes and the vegetable broth, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the potatoes are soft, approximately 45 minutes. Turn off the heat and puree the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream, buttermilk, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately, or chill and serve cold.

St. Patrick's Day Food

We had a few friends over last night to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We were having drinks, "heavy appetizers" and desserts. My serving goal was to serve foods that were Irish-inspired and/or orange and green. I am putting up my menu (before I forget):

Lamb Chops with Yogurt Mint Sauce

Corned Beef & Cabbage Slaw Sliders

Roasted New Potatoes with Horseradish Cream and Smoked Salmon

Cockles & Mussels (sauteed a little garlic in butter, added white wine and parsley and steamed the mussels and cockles)

Green, White & Orange Veggies with spinach dip

Irish Soda Bread

Car Bomb Cupcakes

Minted Peaches with Mint Ice Cream (I tossed sliced fresh peaches with some sugar and chopped mint. I mixed some chopped fresh mint into softened vanilla ice cream and served in a martini glass on top of the peaches)

And my friend Maria brought Mint Brownies (she makes her brownies, then while they are still hot she puts Andes Candies on top and spreads them as they melt. Beautiful and delicious!)

We had Guinness, Harp, Bass and others, and of course, finished with Irish Cream.

Overall, exactly the meal I was hoping for. I don't think I would omit or change one thing.

St. Patrick's Day Post

We are having a few friends over to celebrate St. Patrick's Day next weekend for cocktails and drinks.
Food: I am not going to do a full corned beef and cabbage dinner, but may do some appetizer based on corned beef (my husband would be ecstatic if I did a hash). I am looking for dishes that are based in Irish Cuisine and/or that are orange and green. I WILL be making Irish soda bread and probably some brown bread, and my Potatoes with Smoked Salmon (post from last year).
I am also thinking I might do baby lamb chops with mint and some type of clam or mussel dish. Any other thoughts? I'd love to hear them!
Drinks: I think we'll be offering an assortment of drinks made with Irish beers and/or whiskeys, and, of course, Irish Cream.
Look forward to your thoughts.

Irish (Soda) Bread Recipes

I love St. Patrick's Day! I love sharing the fruits of my labors with others, especially when the recipe is quite easy and always a hit! Dad's Irish Bread always gets tons of complements and it doubles well! Tay's Irish Soda Bread is a huge treat as it has raisins, craisins and yellow raisins, plus sour cream and buttermilk. I ate my share of both yesterday:)

Dad's Irish Bread

2 1/2 C flour

1t salt

2 1/2 t baking powder

1/2 C sugar

1 T melted butter

1 C milk

1T caraway seeds (optional)

1 egg

1 C raisins

Beat egg and milk. Add butter caraway seeds and raisins. Then add sifted dry ingredients, mix well. Bake @ 350 in greased loaf pan for 50-60 minutes. (Can make 3 small loaves)

Tay's Irish Soda Bread

4 C flour

1/2 C sugar

2 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

3/4 t salt

2C raisins, yellow raisins or dried cranberries (I use equal amounts of each)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/4 C buttermilk

1 C sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 8" round cake pans.

Combine all dry ingredients and fruit in large bowl. Blend remaining ingredients together in small bowl and then add to dry. Stir until flour is just moistened. Knead in bowl about 10 strokes. Dough will be VERY sticky. Divide in 2, shape into balls, and place in centers of cake pans. Cut a deep X into the top of each loaf and sprinkle with about 1 T flour. Bake about 60 minutes, or until wooden toothpick in center comes out clean. Turn onto wire rack to cool completely.

Green & Gold Oat Bars

I am thinking we might make these Green & Gold Oat Bars for our St. Patty's day dessert. We have orange and green M&Ms. I will probably use Rolos in place of the caramels and choc chips, because that is what the leprechaun left in our trap and it will save me a trip to the store.:)

http://satisfyingmysweettooth.blogspot.com/

Corned Beef & Cabbage in the Crockpot

Kate: I know that you have done your CB&C in the crockpot. What do you do?

I know Brendan will be mad at me for divulging this long-held family secret (and probably this picture), but I can’t find my copy of the recipe, and I’d like you all to tell me if my memory is correct.

Irish cream

4 eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c heavy cream
2 T chocolate syrup
2 t instant coffee
1 t pure vanilla extract
¼ t pure almond extract
¾ c Irish whiskey (I think the original recipe called for 1½ cups, but I usually use less)

Combine in blender. Chill. Serve in a pretty bottle. Makes great gifts!