pistachio shamrock cookies

 

Shamrock Cookies are not just a delightful treat but also come with a sprinkle of history and symbolism!

 

Shamrock cookies are typically associated with St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated on March 17th. 

The shamrock itself is a three-leafed clover, which, according to legend, was used by St. Patrick to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the people of Ireland. Over time, the shamrock became a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day.

 

While shamrock cookies have Irish roots, their popularity as festive treats soared in the United States, where St. Patrick's Day is widely celebrated with parades, parties, and lots of green-themed foods. 

The cookies are often made in the shape of shamrocks and decorated with green icing and sprinkles. This recipe is a real gourmet upgrade!

Pistachio Shamrock Cookies are the most a delightful treat, especially for celebrating St. Patrick's Day! Here's a simple recipe from Better Homes & Gardens magazine for making these tasty and festive cookies.

St. Patrick's Day is bursting with delicious and festive treats! Here are of my other favorites, Including Irish Soda Bread which I make a lot. It’s not only a March treat, you know!

 

Irish Soda Bread: A traditional bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. It's often studded with raisins and caraway seeds. Check out my Soda Bread Recipe here.

 

Corned Beef and Cabbage: While not a "treat," it's a classic St. Patrick's Day meal in the U.S., often enjoyed with potatoes and carrots.

 

Shepherd's Pie: A hearty dish with ground meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes baked to perfection. I make this every Christmas as well!

 

Potato Pancakes (Boxty): These crispy pancakes made from grated potatoes are a delicious savory treat.

 

Green Velvet Cake: A festive twist on the classic red velvet cake, usually adorned with green frosting. I must try this one!

 

 

 

ciao fabiana

 

 

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two amazing recipes for St. Patrick's day

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a little something sweet? I’ve incorporated some of my favorite ingredients to create a fresh and buttery Irish shortbread cookie.  

Traditionally, shortbread is made from three simple ingredients, butter, sugar and flour, and I’ve upped the flavor profile with this recipe by using authentic Irish butter which provides a richer taste.

Topped off with a decadent glaze made with fresh lime zest and lime juice, these cookies are perfect for celebrating everyone’s favorite Irish holiday! These cookies are the perfect companion for a cup of hot tea or coffee. Recipe found HERE.

No St. Patrick’s day would be complete at our home without homemade Irish Soda Bread. This is the easiest bread to make, since you use baking soda, hence the name soda bread, instead of yeast. And there’s no wait time to let the dough rise. Mix, form into a mound and pop this directly into the oven.  

  

Traditionally I use dried currants for this recipe, but as you can see, dried blueberries were used for a little fun twist. We love the dried Oregon blueberries from Trader Joe’s.  Recipe found HERE.

And I’m bringing my favorite green cabbageware plates to the table once again for our traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal of corned beef and cabbage. Whole Foods has great options for corned beef this year. I purchased two, and we had one earlier this week. 

If you’ve never cooked corned beef, it’s very easy. Basically, you boil it with special spices, onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme and just let it cook for hours until it’s fork-tender. At that point you can add shredded cabbage, carrots and potatoes cook a bit longer and .... 

YUM!

ciao! fabiana 

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irish soda bread with blueberries

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I made irish soda bread earlier in the week,

but this year I had to add add a little twist to the recipe…

blueberries!

 Just spread a little Irish butter on a slice of this

blueberry soda bread 

and it’s the perfect compliment to your

 morning coffee or tea..  

We’ve been enjoying this yummy soda bread every morning for the last couple of days and plan on having the rest it tonight with our corned beef dinner.

You can try the recipe here:

Irish Soda Bread with Blueberries

 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for blueberries

 4 tablespoons sugar

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt

 4 tablespoons ( ½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch dice

 1 ¾  cups cold buttermilk, shaken

 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
 1 cup dried blueberries

 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the dried blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, you will heat a hollow sound.

Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Adapted from a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa.

By the way,

another one of my all-time favorite recipes

is for corned beef hash,

and it’s sooo easy to make!

All you need is a couple of baked potatoes and you chop them up with a little leftover corned beef…

saute in a pan with half

a chopped onion and

a little diced red bell pepper

a little butter or olive oil,

salt & pepper until it gets a little crispy!

You can add a splash of milk

for a little creamer version…

Yum!!  🍀 So perfect for breakfast tomorrow
with a fried egg on top!

How are you celebrating St. Paddy’s Day?

 ciao! fabiana

st. patrick's day prep

St. Patrick’s day is coming up on Saturday,

so I’m working on a few different tablescape looks

 and then I'll narrow it down to one,

or a combination of sorts.

Corned beef and root veggies will be on the menu…

the carrots, potatoes and onions will be boiled

and then slathered with Irish butter, chopped parsley 

and garlic…

so yummy! 

I love making irish soda bread  this week too.

I have a recipe that's especially good that’s made with

plain yogurt, caraway seeds and currants…

it’s perfect with coffee and tea  too!

How about a tasty Irish dessert?

What would you make?

Bread pudding, trifle or shortbread?

Maybe strawberry shortcake…

Is that kind of Irish?

Let me know if you celebrate St. Paddy’s day and

what your favorite traditions are… and

btw,

which place setting would you choose?

 ciao! fabiana