St. Patrick's Day Dinner Date!!

I realize St. Patrick's Day isn't until next week but I thought it wise to put something up this week in case you would actually like to make this FOR St. Patrick's day. ;o) This meal was scrumptious and even both toddlers devoured their meals!

Crockpot Corned Beef with Potatoes and Carrots
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
Approx. 1-1/2 lb. corned beef brisket cut into stew meat sized chunks (I left the fat on for flavor)
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 med/lg. carrots, peeled and cut in big chunks
1 can beef broth
2 cloves garlic, chopped

1. Don't let this confuse you. I know it sounds complicated. Add all ingredients to crockpot, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve! ;o)

**warning** Do NOT add salt. Corned beef is salty on its own. You definitely don't need to add any.

Irish Soda Bread
(serves 8)

Ingredients:
3/4 c. light sour cream
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. golden raisins
3 tsp. caraway seeds
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and olive oil until well combined.
3. In a larger bowl combine all of the dry ingredients.
4. Stir the raisins into the dry mixture.
5. Stir in the sour cream/oil mixture until dough comes together.
6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 1 minute.
7. Shape into a 6" round loaf. Score an "X" into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
8. Bake on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray for 40 minutes or until the crust starts to turn golden brown.
9. cool on a wire rack. Serve with Irish butter!

Potato Candy
(makes 12 pieces)

Are these not the cutest things you've ever seen?? These little potatoes are not potatoes at all. They are sugary balls of deliciousness! However, they are NOT very good for toddlers as it turns out. :o(

Ingredients:
4 oz. of cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick (1/4 c.) butter, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. flaked coconut
2 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1. Using a mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese.
2. With the mixer on med. speed, add the vanilla and powdered sugar until well combined.
3. Stir in the coconut until well combined.
4. Using your hands, shape little potato shapes out of the mixture. Mine were about 2" in length.
5. Put the cinnamon in a small bowl. One at a time, add the "potatoes" and shake the bowl to roll the potato around and coat it in the cinnamon. Repeat with remaining potatoes.
6. Using a small, blunt tipped object (I used the end of one of my daughters watercolor brushes) make"eyes" in the potatoes.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve!

**Notes***The plain cinnamon was way too spicy for toddlers. I should have known. Kara had the idea of cutting the cinnamon with dry cocoa mix next time. Great idea Kara!

So since the planned dessert didn't work out I ended up throwing some refrigerated cookie dough (a gift from my FIL) into the oven. It was a toddler approved substitute!