A Day with the Demos

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is a holiday we always celebrated growing up because my grandma on my mom's side is Irish. She is also part Scottish and my grandpa was 100% Scottish so we are more Scottish than Irish, but my grandma came from a big family so the Irish heritage was emphasized through them. My Great Uncle Eddie said at my wedding "I know they say you're more Scottish than Irish but I think you look like you just stepped off the boat from Ireland." A few years ago a lady in a store mentioned told me that I looked like I was Irish which was interesting to think that someone could see that without knowing ahead of time that I did indeed have some Irish blood.

I'm posting a few recipes that my mom used to make on St. Patrick's Day growing up. My favorite by far was the Soda Bread - I always hoped she would make two loaves instead of one because it seemed to disappear too quickly. The Irish Stew is so simple and wonderful - unfortunately I misplaced the recipe yesterday, so hopefully I'll find it and add it later today. The Creme de Mente pie isn't necessarily Irish, but it's minty and green and delish so it works!

Enjoy!

Irish Soda Bread
3 C. flour
¾ tsp salt
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp cream of tarter
Combine above ingredients
1/3 cup margarine (don’t remember if I just use butter instead – most likely)
1 1/3 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup raisins

Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles cornmeal. Add buttermilk, stir until slightly moistened. Mix in raisins.
Shape dough into a ball and knead briefly. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten circle into 7 inch diameter approx. ½ inch thick (again, just reading from recipe – not sure how exact I am with that)
Cut across with sharp knife about ¼ inch deep. Bake at 350° 40-50 minutes

Crème de Mente Pie
24 Oreos
¼ cup melted butter
1 pint heavy/whipping cream
7 oz jar marshmallow cream
¼ cup cream de mente
Crush cookies up finely (I use a Ziploc bag and a rolling pin)

Set aside a few crumbs to sprinkle on top, and then mix rest of the cookies with melted butter. Press into pie pan. Set aside.

Whip cream and set aside. Whip marshmallow and mint together. Fold into whipped cream, pour into prepared dish. *When combining mixtures I added some green food coloring to make it more festive.* Cover with saran wrap and freeze. Remove five minutes before serving.