St. Patrick's Day

I never thought you had to be Irish to really celebrate all the glory that is Ireland. This year I decided to go for the gold (at the end of the rainbow) and make the ultimate St. Patrick's Day dish. Corned Beef and Cabbage!
First you have to make this thing.... It's called a bouquet garni. That is just fancy talk for a nest of garlic, peppercorns, thyme and bay leaves tied together.

Then you take your corned beef and put it in the pot (make it a big pot!) with the bouquet garni.

Looking good right?! Now comes the fun part, add a Stout beer like Guinness or I used Sam Adam's Black Lager. Also add a cup of beef broth and water until the meat is covered. Boil it and then let it simmer for 4 hours or so.

Then add 4 onions, 2 carrots & 2 1/2 parsnips, let cook for a half hour.

Then add in 6 small red potatoes and a head of cabbage cut into wedges, cover and let cook until the cabbage is tender but not limp. Let the meat and the rest of the veggies continue to cook.

When the cabbage is done cooking take it out and chop it small. Take a pan and melt 4 tablespoons of butter, add one onion and saute until brown. Then add the cabbage and toss, saute that until brown.

Take out your corned beef and all the other veggies and serve up!

Lastly, poor yourself a tall pint of a good Irish beer and tuck in!

3 out of 5 forks! Only because the cabbage makes you gassy- you have been warned. Just drink your beer, you will be fine.
Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!
Recipe courtesy of Food Network's Melissa d'Arabian
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/corned-beef-and-cabbage-recipe/index.html