St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today is the Irish national holiday and it's celebrate just about everywhere in the world by anyone there who is of Irish heritage. The Irish have spread about the globe and brought their Shillelagh with them. In New Orleans we have quite a nice sized Irish heritage population, even a section of the city called 'The Irish Channel' where poor Irish immigrants came in the 1800's. Since most Irish immigrants to the U.S were dirt poor farmers who were starving in Ireland they were not treated well when and after arriving. Unlike today's immigrants who receive financial aid, subsidized housing, job opportunities etc., the Irish rose to the top of society through hard work, perseverance and self reliance.

Since my maternal grandmother's family was from County Cork Ireland (though my mom's dad like the rest of my ancestors was of German extraction) my mother always cooked an Irish meal on St. Patrick's day. My German heritage father practically denied his German roots as most German Americans do. Immigrant Germans tend to have a low profile, as opposed to the Irish boisterous celebration of the old country.

I have carried on the tradition and do cook, if not an entire Irish meal, at least some components of it. Today's St. Patty menu is roast leg of lamb with mint, boiled potatoes with parsley butter (well, every Irish meal seems to have potato somewhere) and creamed cabbage. Dessert will be my grandma's ice box cookies. Irish food is simple and lightly seasoned fare because ingredients in Ireland were limited due to the constant battle with poverty and starvation in Ireland.
Anyway...If you want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day follow the traditional Irish advice on how to do it: Find a four-leaf clover, Wear green (so you don't get pinched), Kiss the blarney stone, and Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

I leave you with an Irish blessing...May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.! Today is the Irish national holiday and it's celebrate just about everywhere in the world by anyone there who is of Irish heritage. The Irish have spread about the globe and brought their Shillelagh with them. In New Orleans we have quite a nice sized Irish heritage population, even a section of the city called 'The Irish Channel' where poor Irish immigrants came in the 1800's. Since most Irish immigrants to the U.S were dirt poor farmers who were starving in Ireland they were not treated well when and after arriving. Unlike today's immigrants who receive financial aid, subsidized housing, job opportunities etc., the Irish rose to the top of society through hard work, perseverance and self reliance.

Since my maternal grandmother's family was from County Cork Ireland (though my mom's dad like the rest of my ancestors was of German extraction) my mother always cooked an Irish meal on St. Patrick's day. My German heritage father practically denied his German roots as most German Americans do. Immigrant Germans tend to have a low profile, as opposed to the Irish boisterous celebration of the old country.

I have carried on the tradition and do cook, if not an entire Irish meal, at least some components of it. Today's St. Patty menu is roast leg of lamb with mint, boiled potatoes with parsley butter (well, every Irish meal seems to have potato somewhere) and creamed cabbage. Dessert will be my grandma's ice box cookies. Irish food is simple and lightly seasoned fare because ingredients in Ireland were limited due to the constant battle with poverty and starvation in Ireland.

Anyway...If you want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day follow the traditional Irish advice on how to do it: Find a four-leaf clover, Wear green (so you don't get pinched), Kiss the blarney stone, and Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

I leave you with an Irish blessing...May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.