St Paddy's Day Feast

Home Brined Corned Beef


I have done several different brining methods since originally posting this, I prefer a "dry" brine now but be aware that since this has no nitrates it will NOT be pink like the stuff you buy in the store or my original picture >>>>>

I prefer a bottom round to a brisket cut.



There are tons of methods out there. Here is my own!!

Irish Cream ---Hubby Takes Credit for this one!!
2 Weeks ahead

In large container(non metallic) Troy uses an old coffee carafe
13 oz can sweetened condensed milk
15 oz can evaporated milk
3 cups whiskey
Blend for about 3 minutes(Troy uses a hand held immersion blender),
Pour into a clean 1 gallon milk jug , refrigerate for 1 week
shaking daily

After 1 week , in a large container blend the rest of the ingredients:
3 eggs
3 oz coffee liqueur
1 TB chocolate syrup
1 tsp instant coffee
opt 1/2 tsp vanilla

pour into milk jug with the first ingredient
refrigerate 1 week more, shake everyday.



Morning of:
Authentic Irish Soda Bread from www.sodabread.us
4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour.
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
14 oz of buttermilk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.
In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)
Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.
Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage with Creamy Horseradish Sauce

www.foodnetwork.com

• 2 stalks celery, halved
• 4 carrots
• 1 medium onion, cut in 4 wedges
• 4 to 6 red potatoes, quartered
• 1 4-pound corned beef brisket
• 12-ounce bottle stout or dark ale
• 1 tablespoon corned beef spices or pickling spices (or spices that come with the brisket)
• 1 medium head cabbage, cut into 6 wedges

Directions

For serving: grainy mustard and horseradish sauce, recipe below

Place celery, carrots, onion and potatoes in the bottom of a large slow-cooker or crock pot. Rinse the corned beef brisket and place over vegetables. Add the bottle of stout, spices and enough water to just cover the meat. Cover and cook on LOW for eight to nine hours.

Remove the meat and vegetables from the pot and cover with foil to keep warm. Increase heat to high and cook cabbage until softened but still crispy, 20 to 30 minutes.

Slice brisket across the grain, serve with vegetables, mustard and horseradish sauce. Pass extra cooking liquid at the table.

Creamy Horseradish Sauce:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup drained prepared horseradish
• dash hot sauce
• salt and pepper to tast

Whip cream to soft peaks and then fold in sour cream and horseradish, to taste. Season with salt, pepper and a dash of hot sauce.

Chocolate Orange Guinness Cake
Cake Ingredients:

2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 1/4 c dark brown sugar
2 c self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
2 rounded Tablespoons Cocoa
Grated rind of 1 orange
4 Eggs
1/2 cup Guinness

Icing Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter
2 c powdered sugar
Orange juice


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375F.
Grease two 8 or 9-inch cake pans.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa into a bowl.
Add the orange rind to the creamed butter and beat in the eggs, one at a time, including a spoonful of the measured flour mixture with each one, and beating well between additions. Gently mix in the Guinness, a tablespoonful at a time, including another spoonful of flour with each addition.
If there's any flour left over, fold it in gently to mix;
Blend thoroughly without over-beating.
Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth down, and put the cakes into the center of the pre-heated oven.
Reduce the heat to moderate (350F) and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cakes are springy to the touch and pulling slightly away from the sides of the pans.
Remove and cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, make the icing:
Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together
Blend in enough orange juice to make an icing that is soft enough to spread.
Frost between layers and on top of the cakes once cooled.

Option - drizzle some Guinness on top of each cake layer, let it soak in a little bit, and then apply the frosting.