The Day Everyone’s Irish!
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
10 baby red potatoes, quartered
1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups water
1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet
6 ounces beer
1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped
Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker, pour in the water, and place the brisket on top of the vegetables. Pour the beer over the brisket. Sprinkle on the spices from the packet, cover, and set the cooker on High.
Cook the brisket for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 9 hours
It seems as though everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! After all, who doesn’t love a great celebration? While we revel in the festivities, it’s interesting that many may not even be aware of the history behind the holiday or its traditions.
March 17th marks the day that the most recognized patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, passed away. The year was 461 A.D. But it wasn’t until the early 17th century that the day was recognized as an official feast day in the Christian church.
The shamrock is a symbol of the festive day, but do you know why? Interestingly, it stems from the belief that St Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock in his teachings of the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.
And what about that color green? The tradition of wearing green dates back to the 1640s when the Irish Catholic Confederation used the green harp flag.
Although St. Patrick is credited with converting Ireland to Christianity, you may be surprised to learn that he was not actually Irish. Although his birthplace and exact date is unknown, it is believed that he was born in Scotland. So no matter where your ancestral roots stem from, go ahead and don your green and celebrate the day!
