Colcannon (Mashed Potatoes With Cabbage)

This is another one of our family's favorites!

Serves 6 (you may have to double it for company or large familys!):

6 medium potatoes (about 2 lbs)
1/2 small head of cabbage, shredded (about three cups)
6 scallions (with tops), chopped
1/4 C water
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 to 1/2 C milk
1/4 C Butter, softened
1 tsp salt
Dash of Pepper
butter

Heat 1 inch salt water (1/2 tsp salt to 1 C water) to boiling. Add potatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook until tender, 30 to 35 minutes; drain. Heat cabbage, scallions, water and 1/8 tsp salt to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until crisp-tender, 5 to 10 minutes; drain.
Mash potatoes until no lumps remain. Beat in milk in small amounts. Add 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp salt and the pepper; beat until potatoes are light and fluffy. Stir in cabbage and scallions; dot with butter.

Enjoy!!!

K.J.V.

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread is kind of like scones!

Our family loves this recipe!

This teatime favorite from Irland was originally baked in an iron pot over a peat fire--a primative Irish oven. Today it remains one of Irland's favorite breads, served hot or cold, with butter and jam. There are many variations on the basic recipe, but the brand is nearly always idnetified by the cross on top of the loaf.

Makes 1 loaf (may need to double for company or large families):

3 TBSP margarine or butter, softened

2 1/2 C all-purpose flour

2 tsp sugar or honey

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 C rasins (optional)

3/4 C buttermilk (what you could do is make your own butter, and use the buttermilk from that)

Cut margarine into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins and enough butter milk to make a soft dough. Turn onto lightly flowered surface; knead until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Shape into round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on greased cookie sheat. Cut an X about 1/4 through loaf with floured knife. Bake in 375 degree oven until light brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Brush with butter if desired.

Enjoy!!!

K.J.V.

Patrick's Day

Since Patrick's Day is coming up, we are going to start posting Patrick's Day recipes for you!

Patrick's day is our biggest cooking day!
We get up early and cook all day and evening long, making tasty and delicious foods to share with our family, at dinner time...from Irish Soda Bread, Colcannon, Brussel Sprouts, Corned Beef, Dinner Rolls to Clover Cookies and maybe more...

K.J.V.

Happy Valentine's Day Cooking!

U-Pick Pudding Cookies

Named u-pick because you can do any combo. of pudding, chips, and nut flavors, all with this one recipe! The possibilities are endless!

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 (4oz.) pkg. instant pudding, u-pick

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 pkg. chips, u-pick (chocolate or otherwise)

1 cup nuts, u-pick

Combine butter, sugars, pudding, and vanilla in large bowl. Then beat in eggs. Add flour and soda until blended. Then stir in chips and nuts. Drop on cookie sheet. Bake 375 for 10 mins. until just golden, don't over bake (cookies continue to cook after out of oven)

Make that one Large pudding box, or two small ones!

K.J.V.

I have never tried making these yet...but I know they are fabulous, and I wanted to share them with you!

Mommarie's Potato Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

6 Medium Mashed Potatos
1/4 cup milk or sour cream
1/3 pound Ham cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 C sauerkraut, drained
1 TB Horseradish Mustard
1 C cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In large bowl, stir together potatoes, eggs and milk until well combined. Stir in ham, sauerkraut and mustard. Set aside half the cheese. Stir in remaining cheese into potato mixture. Pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Top with desired cheese amount. Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is golden.

Sprinkle with Parsley.

Enjoy!

K.J.V.

Baked Oatmeal

Serves 6
~
1/3 C butter
2 large eggs
3/4 C brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. nutmeg or cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C milk and 2 T milk
3 C oatmeal

1. Melt butter
2. Grease 1 1/2 qt. baking dish and drop in eggs and beat.
3. Add brown sugar, baking powder, vanilla, nutmeg or cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
4. Whisk in butter and milk, then add oats.
5. Stir well and refrigerate overnight.
6. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

Enjoy warm oatmeal.

~V.L.S.