Do the IrIsh really drinK a lot Beer?

Country	Bottles Per Person Per Week
Czech Replublic	8.5
Ireland	7.1
Germany	6.3
Australia	6.0
United Kingdom	5.4
United States	4.4
Canada	3.7
South Africa	3.2
Mexico	2.8
Japan	2.8
Brazil	2.6
China	1.2

Let the record show, Ireland is the second largest country for beer consumption.  Oh well, I am half Irish, and I only have an occasional beer.  And what exactly is St. Patrick's day celebration? St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Growing up I remember my Granparents always taking me to the St. Patty's day parade in downtown Buffalo.  It was always cold, and drizzly.  Then they would take me to an irish pub and I had to eat corn beef and cabbage...YUK! I hated it.  Now I do love ham and cabbage.  I shared some yummy looking recipes down below.  Happy St. Pat's day all! Don't drink too much...and remember never drink and drive!

Guinness Cupcakes
Ingredients: For the cupcake:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch fine salt

1 12 oz bottle Guinness (not for your mouth..for the bowl.)

1 stick butter, melted

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 large eggs

3/4 cup sour cream

For the frosting:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature

3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream

1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt. In another medium mixing bowl, combine the stout, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat in eggs, 1 at time. Mix in sour cream until thoroughly combined and smooth. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Lightly grease 24 muffin tins. Divide the batter equally between muffin tins, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for about 12 minutes and then rotate the pans. Bake another 12 to 13 minutes until risen, nicely domed, and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out.

To make the icing:
In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the heavy cream. On low speed, slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Icing can be made several hours ahead and kept covered and chilled.
Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa or chocolate sprinkles. You can also use nonflavored green food coloring to make the icing green. Take a bite and say "mmmmmmmmm." Repeat.


Savory St. Patrick's Day Potato Muffins
Ingredients

2 medium potatoes (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 pinch salt (be generous)

1 egg (lightly beaten)

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

3 tablespoons fresh chives (or spring onions chopped)

3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (grated)

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or use paper liners. In a small saucepan, cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 8 minutes or until just tender.
Drain and rinse under cold water and set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, beat the egg, oil, buttermilk, chives or spring onion and parsley. Stir the flour mixture into the buttermilk mixture until nearly combined. Gently fold in potatoes. Add the cheese.  I also added mushrooms. Spoon into muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes. 

You can top these with extra grated cheese. Remove pan from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove muffins and cool on rack.

 

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com

I am linking up to Kathleens St. Pattys day party!~ Go have fun and see some more Green!!~ GO Green!