Tuesday Try A New Taste - Midsummer Feast

As I did for Beltane, I now do for Midsummer - but further in the future, so if you see something you like, you actually have time to make it…LOL I am going to do a non-vegetarian meal today, and a vegetarian menu next Tuesday.

So…Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

Easy Mead
from Llewellyn's Witches' Calendar 2000; written by Breid Foxsong

Ingredients:

• 1 quart dry cider (hard or alcohol-free)
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sliced citrus fruits
• 3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

Combine in a container just large enough to hold everything. Seal and refrigerate, shaking or stirring daily for five days. Strain before drinking.

 

 

Old Fashioned Root Beer
From Excellent Recipes for Baking Raised Bread, from the Fleishman Company, 1912.

Ingredients:

• 1 cake, compressed yeast
• 5 lbs, sugar
• 2 oz, sassafras root
• 1 oz, hops or ginger root
• 2 oz, juniper berries
• 4 gallons, water
• 1 oz, dandelion root
• 2 oz, wintergreen

Wash roots well in cold water. Add juniper berries (crushed) and hops. Pour 8 quarts boiling water over root mixture and boil slowly 20 minutes. Strain through flannel bag. Add sugar and remaining 8 quarts water. Allow to stand until lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in a little cool water. Add to root liquid. Stir well. Let settle then strain again and bottle. Cork tightly. Keep in a warm room 5 to 6 hours, then store in a cool place. Put on ice as required for use.

Summer Salsa
Source Unknown

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 small Serrano peppers
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 small purple onion, diced small
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped small

Stir together the thyme, marjoram, basil, and olive oil. Stir in the lemon and lime juice. Remove the seeds from the Serrano peppers, and mince the remainder. Stir in the minced Serrano peppers, purple onion, red pepper, and cilantro. Allow to sit for at least half an hour before serving to blend flavors.

Chilled Cucumber Soup
by Anna Franklin and Sue Phillips
found at White Wicca

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1/2 pt plain yogurt
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Chopped fresh mint
• Dash olive oil

Place the cucumber and yogurt in a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Add the oil and seasoning and blend a little more. Chill in the fridge. Garnish with the fresh mint to serve.

Green Nations Herb Bread
Source Unknown

Ingredients:

• 1 c white or wheat flour
• 2-2 1/2 cups assorted grain flours of your choice (or more white/wheat flour if you wish)
• 1/2 to 1 cup assorted herbs
• 2 T sugar
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 1 1/4 oz yeast (1 pkg.)
• 1 1/4 c milk
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 1 egg

In a large bowl combine 1 c flour, sugar, salt and yeast and set aside. In small saucepan heat milk and vegetable oil until lukewarm. Be careful not to get your milk and oil too hot or it will kill the yeast. Add egg and warm liquid to flour mixture and mix well. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. With wooden spoon stir in herbs and remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough out onto lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if needed. Dough should be elastic without being overly sticky or stiff. Place dough in warm greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk, 45-60 min. Punch down dough, knead and place on a pizza pan or cookie sheet, cover with a tea towel and allow to rise again to double it's size. If you feel fancy sprinkle sesame, poppy or dill seed on top before baking. Heat oven to 400 ° and bake for 35-40 minutes or until done. Serve this bread warm with butter and honey.

What herbs you use depends totally on your personal tastes. Some suggestions: powdered rosemary, parsley, basil, cumin, coarse cracked black pepper, fennel, dill, dried and powdered radish tops, flaked dried carrot tops, nettle greens, calendula petals, finely ground dandelion greens, and thyme.

Orange Honey Butter
Found at Pagan Poet

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Grated Orange Rind
• 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
• 1 Tablespoon honey

Combine the orange rind, powdered sugar, butter and honey in a small bowl and blend until well mixed. Chill slightly and serve with Green Nations Herb Bread, scones or biscuits.

Herb Roast Chicken
From Red Deer & Elenya @ University of North Carolina

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Dry white wine
• 1 Lemon (juice of)
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 4 pounds Chicken, quartered
• 1/2 cup Olive oil
• 1/2 cup Tomato sauce
• 1 Onion, minced
• 1 Green pepper, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin

In a shallow dish combine wine, lemon juice, garlic, 1 /4 teaspoon oregano and pinch of salt. Add chicken, turning to coat well and marinate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350° F. In a saucepan combine remaining ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon oregano and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Put chicken in a baking dish and top with sauce. Bake for 1-1/2 hours, or until done.

 

 

Litha Mushrooms in Cream
Source Unknown

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Mushrooms
• 2 T. Butter, melted
• 1 C. Cream
• Fresh thyme, parsley, garlic, rosemary, or other herbs of your choice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Clean but do not peel the mushrooms. Pat dry with a paper towel. Place them in a single layer in a buttered baking dish and dribble the melted butter over them. Bake at 400° until soft (about three minutes). Pour the cream over the mushrooms and turn the oven to 250° so the cream does not boil. Sprinkle with your choice of fresh, chopped herbs and a dash of salt and pepper before serving,
Serves 4.

The sudden appearance of wild mushrooms and their rapid growth were once believed to be a sign of magic. Campestri Agaricus (meadow mushrooms, those white caps commonly purchased in the produce section of the grocery store) growing in a circle were thought to be faerie circles where those wonderful, immortal creatures danced. Mortals were warned not to enter such a place or to fall asleep in a faerie circle because they were believed to be gateways to Faerie. Mushrooms in Cream honors the Fey Folk. Unless you are an experienced mushroom hunter, it is best to use mushrooms purchased through your green grocer. I like to use crimini mushrooms, who are in reality,  portabellos picked before they reach mature growth stage, large cap size. When picking through the mushroom bin on the produce aisle, always look at the under side of the caps and choose mushrooms whose gills have not yet opened.

Frosty Strawberry Pie
Submitted to All Recipes by: Jill D

Ingredients:

• 1 (3-oz) package strawberry flavored gelatin
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1-1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 (9-inch) prepared graham cracker crust
• whipped cream
• walnut halves (optional)

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water and gradually add ice cream, stirring until melted.Note:If pie is to be chilled 3-4 hours before serving, increase to 1-1/2 cups water. Chill until thick but NOT set (15-25 minutes), and then fold in strawberries and pour into pie crust. Chill until firm; garnish with whipped cream and walnut halves. A very yummy summer treat....and you can substitute sugar-free gelatin. Be sure to keep it refrigerated! Garnish with whipped cream and walnut halves.
Makes 1 - 8 or 9 inch pie.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

Tuesday Try A New Taste -

Summertime Marinated Grilled Vegetables
Recipe courtesy of Rocco Dispirito

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and smashed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 2 yellow bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 3 zucchini, halved length-wise
• 3 yellow squash, halved length-wise
• 3 red onions, cut into 1-inch rings crosswise
• 2 bunches scallions, roots trimmed and greens trimmed one inch

In a very large bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, parsley, vinegar and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside 1/2 cup of the marinade. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and toss well to combine. Let the vegetables marinate about 1 hour. Preheat the grill. When it is too hot to hold your hand six inches above the grill for more than 5 seconds, it's ready. Grill the vegetables until charred and tender, about 8 minutes for zucchini, squash and scallions, 10 minutes for peppers and 15 minutes for the red onions. Transfer the vegetables to a large serving platter and drizzle with the reserved marinade. Serve at warm or room temperature.

Vegetables On The Grill
by BabooKyra

This is easy as pie.

• 1/4 inch slices of:
• green, red and yellow sweet peppers (skin on, seeded)
• eggplant (salted and drained, then rinsed -- you don't have to dry)
• summer squash (patty pan, yellow crookneck, zucchini, etc.)
• large carrots
• stalks of celery, threads removed
• and anything else that can be sliced wide enough to not fall through the grill

I've picked up several tabletop grills at garage sales (won't pay over $5, usually pay $2). These are immensely handy, since things aren't hidden in the broiler, and you have little cleanup. I just put the grill and catch pan in the dishwasher. Spray everything with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (if you like, I don't), and just spread on the grill. I grill these in batches until striped on both sides, putting them into a plastic bowl in layers. After they're cooked, you can store them for up to a week.

They are yummy hot or cold, in sandwiches, as a side dish, lasagna, in a casserole, in quiche, in salads. I think they taste better after a couple of days, and are awesome reheated in a hot, dry non-stick skillet. It's so handy and healthy. The best sandwich is slices of veggies, raw spinach leaves, and muenster cheese, on whole wheat bread, grilled until the cheese melts.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Midsummer Feast

Today I am going to post the makings of a full Midsummer meal or feast – appetizer, main course, breads, dessert & beverage : ) This way, if you decide to use them, it’s all in one place *grin*

Appetizer

Ginger-Scented Tomato and Cabbage Soup with Fresh Mint
Source unknown

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces small pasta, such as alphabets
• 2 onions, coarsely chopped
• 3-5 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 small carrot, diced
• 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 10-15 fresh mint leaves
• salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste

Cook the pasta, drain and set aside. Lightly sauté the onion and garlic in butter until softened. Stir in the ginger and carrot and cook for a few moments; add tomatoes, broth and cabbage. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender (15-20 minutes). Adjust seasoning. Ladle the soup over several spoonfuls of pasta per person. Season each portion with a sprinkling of fresh mint and serve immediately.

Main Dish:

Summertime's Bounty Pie
found at Recipe Source

Ingredients:

• 1 Envelope Soup Mix (Choose one of the following soup mixes to use in the recipe: Onion, Onion-Mushroom or Beefy Onion)
• 1 1/2 lb Lean Ground Beef
• 2 c Fresh Bread Crumbs
• 8 oz Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 t Thyme or Basil Leaves
• 1 T Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 6 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 3 1/2 c Hot Cooked Assorted Veggies

Conventional Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine soup mix, ground beef, bread crumbs, sour cream or yogurt, egg and thyme or basil. Sprinkle flour into 9-inch pie pan. Press ground beef mixture onto bottom and sides of prepared pan, shaping edges 3/4 inch above pan and forming a center "well." Bake 40 minutes, drain. Fill with 3/4 cup cheese, then vegetables and remaining cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Microwave Directions:

In 9-inch glass pie plate, prepare ground beef mixture as above. Heat, uncovered at HIGH (Full Power) 9 minutes, turning plate every 3 minutes; drain. Fill as above and heat 3 minutes on HIGH (Full Power) 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand covered 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 Servings.

With Bread : )

Solstice Herb Bread
Found at Ashling’s Enchanted Forest

Ingredients:

• 3 C. flour
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 pkg. dry active yeast
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme
• 1 1/4 C. hot water
• 2 tbsp. Crisco

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add herbs, water, and Crisco. Beat slowly, stirring in remaining cup of flour until smooth. Scrape batter from sides of bowl and let rise in a warm place for 35 minutes or until it doubles in bulk. Punch down and beat with a spoon for about 15 seconds. Place dough in a greased loaf pan, patting down and forming a loaf shape with your hands. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes or until it again doubles in bulk. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Brush top with butter or margarine and remove from pan to cool.

Dessert:

* Mocha Cream Icebox Pie *
Found at CD Kitchen

It's summertime - when everyone looks forward to the season's festive, holiday, outdoor picnics and barbecues. There's no better way to prepare for summer celebrations than with an array of simple desserts guaranteed to dazzle and delight. If you're looking for something really different, try a delicious Mocha Cream Icebox Pie. It makes a spectacular treat that is sure to have them asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup strong coffee, espresso, or coffee liqueur
• 1 half-gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
• 2 chocolate premade cookie crusts
• whipped topping
• liquid chocolate topping

Blend strong coffee with softened ice cream. Divide ice-cream mixture into two premade cookie crusts. Top with whipped topping, cover with plastic lid and pop into the freezer. When guests arrive, cut out a wedge and drizzle with liquid chocolate topping.

And every good meal needs an accompanying beverage:

Iced Apple Jasmine Tea
unknown source for recipe, Sarah the SwampWitch added the magical attributes from her BoS

Magical attributes of Jasmine: Love, prosperity, meditation, psychism, Moon.
Magical attributes of raspberries: Protection; love.
Magical attributes of Apples: Love, good luck, Wise choices, Health, Insight.
Magical attributes of honey: attraction, solar magic. (Additional Honey uses can be found here, here & here.)
Magical attributes of lemons: Longevity, Purification, Marriage, Joy, Faithfulness.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cold Jasmine tea
• 1/2 c. fresh raspberries
• 1/2 c. apple juice
• 1 c. ice
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

In a blender, combine all ingredients.Blend until smooth and serve over ice in a tall glass.
Makes four 6-ounce servings.

And as an after dinner relaxer – ok, it probably won’t relax you, but you know what I mean lol:

Capaleeno
From Cook’s Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup malt or frappe powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 1/4 cup espresso
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

Place ingredients into blender, blend until smooth and serve.
Makes 1 serving.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Midsummer Chicken Stuffs

Honey Mustard Barbecued Chicken
From Elspeth’s Pagan Cottage

Foods for Midsummer are much the same as those for Beltane: anything spicy, fiery, or grilled is good. Make a fruit flambé by pouring brandy over a fruit salad and lighting it. Honey lemonade is a wonderful midsummer drink; mix 1 ½ tbs lemon juice and 3 tbs honey per cup of warm water; chill, and serve. Feast on spicy Mexican food, barbecued chicken and pork, strawberries and watermelon, and the veggies from your garden. This simple recipe is one of our favorite summer meals. Serve with a fresh green salad and warm bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 cut-up chicken
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 tbs mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cooking sherry
• 2 tbs fresh parsley, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Wash and pat dry the chicken. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Brush the chicken with the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for an hour. Grill over a low flame, brushing frequently with the sauce. Try experimenting with different flavor mustards; I have a raspberry mustard that gives the chicken a wonderful flavor!

Herb Roasted Chicken
From Red Deer’s & Elenya’s

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Dry white wine
• 1 Lemon (juice of)
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 4 pounds Chicken, quartered
• 1/2 cup Olive oil
• 1/2 cup Tomato sauce
• 1 Onion, minced
• 1 Green pepper, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin

In a shallow dish combine wine, lemon juice, garlic, 1 /4 teaspoon oregano and pinch of salt. Add chicken, turning to coat well and marinate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan combine remaining ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon oregano and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Put chicken in a baking dish and top with sauce. Bake for 1-1/2 hours, or until done

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste - Dandelions

Dandelions – they’re everywhere these days! Largely considered a weed by homeowners, this much maligned plant has remarkable nutritional value and is safe for consumption from root to flower. Dandelions can be gathered and cooked like any other green, such as turnip for a tasty, healthy addition to meals. Medicinally effective both internally and externally for a variety of ailments. Dandelions can be used for salads, wine, teas, as a remedy for many things. They are associated with divination, wishes, and calling spirits. A tea of the roots was drunk for heartburn by the Pillager Ojibwas. Mohegans drank a tea of the leaves for a tonic. Magically, they can be sewn tightly in a red flannel bag and worn around the neck to make wishes come true.

Pretty good for a “damned ole weed,” huh..? :) For today’s Try A New Taste, I present a couple of recipes made using dandelions…

Dandelion Salad
Found at Mountain Breeze

Ingredients:

• 4 c chopped dandelion leaves
• 3 Strips of bacon
• 3 Eggs, hard boiled

Dressing:

• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 1½ Tbsp Flour
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/4 c Vinegar
• 2 c Water

Wash, drain, and cut up tender dandelion leaves. Brown bacon; remove drippings and crumble

For dressing, mix together flour and salt. Add the egg, vinegar & water, stirring until blended. Add to the bacon drippings in the pan and cook until thickened. Cool slightly and pour over the dandelion leaves, mixing lightly. Garnish with hard-boiled eggs & bacon pieces. Serve immediately.

Dandelion Jelly
Found at Mountain Breeze

Ingredients:

• 1 qt dandelion flowers
• 1 qt water
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 box Sure-Jell
• 4½ c. sugar

Cook the flowers & water together for three minutes, then strain & put the juice aside. Follow the directions on the Sure-Jell box, using the dandelion water you had put aside. Bring to a boil then add 4½ cups sugar & lemon-juice.

Dandelion Greens with Sausage
Found at Mountain Breeze

Ingredients:

• 1 gal dandelions greens
• 1 lb smoked sausage
• 3 small potatoes, cut & diced
• 2 Tbsp rice
• 4 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 to 1½ qt water
• 1 tsp salt

Wash & cut the dandelion greens and put in the bottom of a medium sized pot. Cut the sausage into pieces and add. Put more dandelion greens on top of the sausage, then put the potatoes on top of this layer of greens. Sprinkle rice over the potatoes. Boil 40 min* adding vinegar before serving.

*if starts to boil dry, add more water

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from `this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Beltane Sweet Treats!

Hot Pentacle Cakes
From : ( link now defunct

Ingredients:

• 1 c. whole milk
• 1 cube butter, melted
• 3 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 c. raw sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1/3 c. pine nuts
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 1 small can crushed pineapple, very well-drained
• 3/4 c. chopped Turkish "dried" apricots (these are the very soft ones)

Preheat oven to 375. Beat milk and butter together with fork. Mix dry ingredients, add the milk and butter mix and the fruits and fennel seeds. Drop in about 1/4 cup “globs” onto a greased baking sheet, leaving some room to spread, smoothing the tops as best you can (a wet hand works). Bake ‘til done, about 25 minutes (you may want to reduce the oven to 325 about halfway through). Cool and serve plain as "Soul Cakes" or decorate by piping pentacles on the buns with yellow frosting. (You could also bake this as a cake, in a star-shaped pan; in my experience, those tend to burn a little on the points, but if you're *very* careful about oven temperature......)

 

Strawberry Crisp
from: : ( Link now defunct

Ingredients:

• 1 c Uncooked Oatmeal
• 1 c All purpose Flour
• 1 c Brown Sugar
• 1/4 c Chopped Walnuts
• 1/2 c Butter or margarine
• 1/2 c Sugar
• 3 c Sliced fresh or frozen Strawberry

Mix together oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. Add nuts. Cut in butter or margarine until crumbly. In another bowl, mix strawberries and white sugar together. Grease an 8" square pan. Spread half the crumb mixture on bottom. Cover with strawberries. Spread remaining crumb mixture over top. Bake at 350 deg F for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or topping.

 

Jam Filled Lemon Tarts
from link now defunct :(

Ingredients:

• 1-3 oz package softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
• 1 cup flour
• Tasty jam: rhubarb ginger, apricot, cherry, etc.

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar and lemon. Mix in flour. Gather dough into two balls, chill one hour. Roll out dough, cutting 2" disks out with cutter. Spoon 1/4" of jam into center of disc. Gather edges into three equally spaced corners - like a tricorn hat - and roll points over slightly, pinching shut. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Faery Sugar
From Moonmuses

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fine white sugar
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla extract (the good stuff, not  the imitation)
• 1/8 tsp red food coloring
• Glass container

Lay sugar on wax paper & sprinkle on the Vanilla. Stir into the sugar till all mixed in. Next sprinkle on the red food coloring and incorporate in till sugar turns Faery pink. Save in glass container, you have labeled 'Faery Sugar' You can now use this special treat in Faery cookies, cakes and offerings to the Fae. You can even eat some yourself!

~ Barbara Morris 2001

Candied Violets
From Moonmuses

Ingredients:

• An egg white
• Violet flowers and leaves
• Fine or crystal Sugar
• Small paint Brushes

Wash the violets and leaves, and let dry. Separate the egg. Put yolk away for other use. Dip small brush in egg whites and paint petals front and back. Sprinkle sugar on the violets covering them completely. Put the violets on waxed paper to dry. You can do the leaves in the same manner. Use as garnish on ice cream, cakes and offering to the wee ones.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Spinach Mushroom Lasagna – (Vegetarian Recipe)

Let me start by saying I am not a vegetarian. I like cow. And some pig. And chicken. If that offends, well, it is what it is. I have never made this particular recipe, and quite frankly, probably never will. I do however, know that a lot of pagan folks aren’t, meat eaters, and don’t want to exclude them. Everyone is entitled to choose what they feel is right for them, and who knows? You might make this and find it to be supremely yummy! Matter-of-fact, if you do make this recipe, leave me a comment and let me know how it turns out..?

Get you own sigtags at eye4expression 

Spinach Mushroom Lasagna
from a dead link :(

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Firm tofu
• 1 tsp Salt
• 4 tbsp Lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 2 ½ tbsp Tahini
• 1 tbsp Light miso
• 1 ½ tbsp Olive oil
• 1 lg Onion, chopped
• 2 lg Garlic cloves, pressed
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp Nutmeg
• 2 tsp Tarragon
• 2 tsp Dill
• 8 oz Mushrooms
• 8 oz Spinach
• ½ c Fresh parsley
• 4 tbsp Breadcrumbs, toasted
• ½ c Walnuts
• 4 c Tomato sauce
• 9 ea Lasagna noodles, al dente

Blend tofu in processor. Add salt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, tahini & miso. Blend till thoroughly smooth. Set aside. Heat olive oil. Add onion & sauté till translucent. Add garlic, pepper, nutmeg, tarragon, dill & mushrooms. Sauté for several minutes. Stir in chopped spinach & parsley. Sauté very briefly. Remove from heat. Add the sauté to tofu mixture. Blend briefly. Be sure to maintain the texture. Pre-heat oven to 350F. Lightly oil the bottom & sides of a baking dish. Add 2 to 3 tbsp of breadcrumbs & ensure that the dish is evenly coated. Sprinkle 1/3 of walnuts on bottom of dish, followed by ¼ of the tomato sauce. Lay 3 noodles on top of the sauce & evenly spread half the tofu mixture on the noodles. Repeat a second layer. Then top with remaining walnuts, noodles & sauce. Sprinkle the rest of the breadcrumbs on top, Cover & bake for 30 minutes. Uncover & bake another 10 minutes. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing.

Makes 9 servings.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog

Tuesday Try A New Taste – May Day Maple Bread

May Day Maple Bread
from Spirit Raven

Ingredients:

• 1 Envelope Dry Active Yeast
• 1 TBS Baking Powder
• 1/3 Cup Real Maple Syrup
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• 1/4 Cup Warm (105 degree F) Water
• 1 Cup Coarsely Ground Hazelnuts
• 3 Cups Flour
• 1/4 Cup Shortening
• 3 TBS. Packed Brown Sugar

Dissolve the yeast and maple syrup in the water. Mix 1 ½ cups of the flour with the brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and hazelnuts. Cut in the shortening using a fork. Add the yeast to the mixture; stir. Slowly add the remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead for 1 minute. Cover, let rise for 15 minutes. Form into a round or oval; place on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise for 30 minutes in a warm spot. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the image of a heart into the top of the bread. Bake for 30 minutes. The bread is done if the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If desired, the loaf can be brushed with a little syrup and butter during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Yield: 1 loaf.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Chicken Barley Stew with Herbs & Irish Soda Bread

Chicken Barley Stew With Herbs
From University of North Carolina Recipes

Comment: This is originally an Anglo-Saxon recipe. The original calls for rabbit, but chicken is just as good.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 LB chicken breasts on the bone
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 LB leeks (3-4 large ones, 4-5 little ones) thickly cut. May substitute onions
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
• 6 oz barley
• 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 3/4 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tablespoon dried sage

In a large Dutch Oven, melt the butter, then fry the leeks and garlic in the butter. Add the chicken and brown. Add remaining ingredients, reserving the sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove chicken from pot and let cool. Remove meat from bones and add back to the pot. Add sage. Stir well and serve. Leftovers freeze well.
Serves 8.

Irish Soda Bread (Cuz stew needs biscuts!)
From The Website of Ireland

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
• 1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups Buttermilk

Set the baking rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if available) on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2-x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste - Beltane Bounty of The Earth Casserole Veggies Only

Beltane Bounty of The Earth Casserole
-Source Unknown

Ingredients:

• Bulgar Wheat about 1 1/4 cups
• Sweet Potato
• Broccoli
• Onion
• Tofu
• Soy Sauce about 1/4 cup
• Water to cover all ingredients about 2 1/2 - 3 cups

Wash, peel, and thinly slice veggies. Slice block of tofu. Layer veggies, bulgar wheat, and tofu in a large casserole dish making at least 2 layers of each item. Mix soy sauce with water and pour over all ingredients. Use water and soy sauce combo until all layers are covered. Cover casserole dish and bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 1 hour until veggies are tender. Do not allow to dry out. Add more water as needed.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste – Corn Beef & Cabbage & Paddy’s Day Info

I’m not sure of the original source for this, if I had to guess I’d say Wikipedia. My source was Jodi (I am the now “the other Jodi” LOL) on one of the pagan lists I am on. She is a tireless, apparently unlimited source of information – and we found we experienced some ironic similarities when first she came to the list ! That being said, this is Tuesday, Try A new Taste. In honor of this day of celebration for the Irish folk, I am also including a recipe for Traditional Corn Beef & Cabbage.
The recipe is at the bottom of the post….

On with the show!

 

In Ireland
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in towns and cities right across the globe, but it's probably fair to say that nowhere can the festivities match the excitement and atmosphere of St. Patrick's Day in Ireland. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is more of a religious holiday similar to Christmas and Easter. Many Irish people start the day by going to mass and offering prayers for the Saint and missionaries all over the world. After that people flock to their local village or town to see the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade, and this is where the real celebrations begin! With grand parades, community feasts, charity show, the mass, St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Ireland with great gusto. The parades, shamrocks, and green beer are provided primarily for tourists. In fact, it has turned out to be one of the most celebrated events in Ireland and a major tourist attraction.
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by the Irish people and increasingly by many of non-Irish descent (usually in Australia, North America, and Ireland), hence the phrase, "Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day." Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (usually Guinness), and attending parades.

Saint Patrick's Day parades in Ireland date from the late 19th century, originating in the growing sense of Irish nationalism. The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival; over 500,000 people attended the 2006 parade. With bands, music, dance, shamrock, leprechauns, green colored clothing and loads of power packed performance, the Irish parade on Saint Patrick's Day is a sight to behold!
Almost everything in Ireland is closed on Saint Patrick's Day with the exception of pubs and restaurants. Many Irish people wear a bunch of shamrocks ("three-leaf clover") on their lapels or caps on this day or green, white, and orange badges (after the colors of the Irish flag). Girls and boys wear green in their hair. Artists draw shamrock designs on people's cheeks, including American tourists, as a cultural sign.

The biggest celebrations on the island of Ireland outside Dublin are in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where Saint Patrick was buried following his death on 17 March, 461. In 2004, according to Down District Council, the week-long St. Patrick's Festival had over 2000 participants and 82 floats, bands, and performers, and was watched by over 30,000 people.

The day is celebrated by the Church of Ireland as a Christian festival. Saint Patrick's Day as a celebration of Irish culture was rarely acknowledged by Northern Irish loyalists, who consider it a festival of the Irish Republicans. The Belfast City Council recently agreed to give public funds to its parade for the first time; previously the parade was funded privately. The Belfast parade is based on equality and only the flag of St. Patrick is supposed to be used as a symbol of the day, to prevent it being seen as a time which is exclusively for Republicans and Nationalists. This allowed both Unionists and Nationalists to celebrate the day together. The Unionists (orangemen) wear orange instead of green on St. Patrick's Day; both colors are in the Irish flag (although this flag is not an official flag in Northern Ireland, it being part of the United Kingdom), and orange often, but not always, represents the Protestants of Northern Ireland.

Outside Ireland

In the United Kingdom
The largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in the UK is held in Birmingham over a two mile route through the city centre. The organizers describe it as the third biggest parade in the world after Dublin and New York. Other Saint Patrick's Day parades take place around the country including in London where the largest minority community is Irish. The Lanarkshire town of Coatbridge where the majority of the town's population are of Irish descent also has a day of celebration and parades in the town centre. In Birmingham, St. Patrick's Festival is one of the city's premier community events, with the Irish community numbering around 140,000 people.

Manchester hosts a two week Irish festival in the weeks prior to St Patrick's Day, not surprising given that the city claims the largest Irish population in Great Britain outside of London. The festival includes an Irish Market based at the city's town hall which flies the Irish tricolor opposite the Union Flag, a large parade (claiming to be the biggest outside of Dublin and New York based on entrant and float numbers) as well as a large number of cultural and learning events throughout the two-week period. The festival promotes itself as the largest in the UK.

Florence, Italy
Around St. Patrick's Day, the city hosts 'Festa Irlandese' - ten days of live music, food and drink. The event takes place in a huge tent and attracts thousands of visitors who avidly consume the Italian interpretation of Irish food and drink, including potato soup, beef in Guinness, smoked salmon and gallons of stout.

Oslo, Norway
The Irish community in Oslo celebrates with a lively parade through the city. Nearly a thousand people join in the fun as the parade steps off through shopping streets, past Oslo cathedral, on to Town Hall Square for some entertainment. Accompanying the pipe band are St Patrick, driven by a red-bearded chauffer in a horse and cart, and a host of other colorful Irish characters.

In Germany
Munich is the only German city holding a St. Patrick's Day parade owing to the considerably large Irish community. The parade is organized by the German-Irish Society of Bavaria and has been held every year since 1996. Meanwhile it has evolved into the largest in continental Europe and features not only Irish/Scots/English, but also German clubs and societies. Following the 2 km parade, which usually takes place the Sunday preceding 17 March, is an open air party with live music and dance performances.

In Denmark
The St. Patrick’s Day 3 Legged Charity Race started in Copenhagen in 2001. The race is organized by the Irish expert community and is sponsored by the Carlsberg brewery and the Irish pub owners of Copenhagen. In 2007, the event raised 26,000 DKK (3,500 euro). All proceeds were donated to a Danish charity for children with cancer. All proceeds from the 2008 race will be donated to the Neonatal Department at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.

In Montserrat
The tiny island of Montserrat, known as "Emerald Island of the Caribbean" due to its foundation by Irish refugees from Saint Kitts and Nevis, is the only place in the world apart from the Republic of Ireland and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in which St Patrick's Day is a public holiday. The holiday commemorates a failed slave uprising that occurred on 17 March 1798.

In Russia
On March 15, 1992, thousands of Muscovites lined the Novy Arbat to witness the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Russian capital's history. Yuri Luzhkov - now the current Mayor of Moscow - and Aer Rianta Chief Executive Derek Keogh were on the reviewing stand as a police escort led the way for Russian marching bands, Cossack horsemen, and fifteen floats representing many Russian companies. The parade, which was the brainchild of Derek Keogh, was a big success, and ensured a repeat performance the following year.

Each year the floats have become more numerous and sophisticated and the range of international and Russian participants and sponsors more wide-ranging such as Pepsi and Guinness. The local Irish bars of Moscow contribute their own floats and Muscovites reveal their own homegrown Irish Wolfhounds, which are nearly as big as the floats themselves.
The Moscow parade continued to be an annual event until 1998. The economic collapse of August 1998 meant that the 1999 parade was canceled. In 2000 the St Patrick's Society of Russia managed to re-establish the St Patrick's Day parade with the co-operation of the Moscow city government, the Moscow police, various government bodies, the Irish embassy and the Irish community in Moscow.

In South Korea
In Seoul, members of the expatriate community congregate on Daehakro (Taehongno), and a small parade goes up the street and then down again. Parade members include local expat sports teams, the Irish Community, and several Korean marching bands. In 2007, the Marronier park near Daehakro was filled with partygoers sampling Irish Stew and Guinness.

Tokyo, Japan
The tradition of holding parades is also upheld in Tokyo and every year you can watch and participate in the parade on Omote Sando. The Tokyo parade is organized by the Irish Network Japan (INJ) and was first held in 1992 with the support of the then Irish Ambassador to Japan, Mr. James Sharkey. Various dignitaries from many countries participate in the parade including the deputy prime minister of Ireland Mary Hearney in 2001.

About 2,000 participants march down fashionable Omotesando Avenue, lined for the occasion by Irish and Japanese flags, cheered on by as many as 7,000 spectators. The Japanese love a good party and they are particularly fond of all things Irish - including Guinness at about $7.00 a pint! There are a growing number of Irish pubs that send attractive young ladies to the parade for the sole purpose of handing out free beer vouchers. Not surprisingly, the 'voucher girls' are a parade highlight!

In the United States
The early Irish immigrants like the English, Dutch, German, French and the likes, brought their traditions to the United States. But it was not until 1737 that the immigrants really celebrated the day. Irish colonists brought Saint Patrick's Day to what is now the United States of America. During the first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in the 13 colonies, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737, The Charitable Irish Society of Boston organized what was the first Saint Patrick's Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737.

The first celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756, and New York's first Saint Patrick's Day Parade was held on 17 March 1762 by Irish soldiers in the British Army. Held since 1762, the New York City parade on St Patrick's Day now draws more than one million spectators each year. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on 17 March. This event became known as The St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike.

In the US, Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green clothing. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-colored clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. Alcohol is the center of many American celebrations.

Some cities paint the traffic stripe of their parade routes green. Chicago even dyes its river green. Savannah dyes its downtown city fountains green. Indianapolis dyes its Central Canal green (Woohoo! We got a mention! And our canal IS greentoday!)University of Missouri Rolla - St. Pat's Board Alumni paint 12 city blocks Kelly green with mops before the annual parade.

Although the baseball season is still in the spring training phase when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, some teams celebrate by wearing St. Patrick's Day themed uniforms. The Cincinnati Reds were the first team to ever wear St. Patrick's Day hats in 1978. The Boston Red Sox were the second team to start wearing St. Patrick's Day hats in 1990. In 2004 the Red Sox were the first team to wear jerseys specially designed for St. Patrick's day. Since then it has become a tradition of many sports teams to also wear special uniforms to celebrate the holiday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers also have a history with the Irish-American community. With the O'Malley family owning the team and now Frank McCourt, the Dodgers have had team celebrations or worn green jerseys on St. Patrick's Day. Other teams celebrate by wearing Kelly green hats these teams include: the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals. Nearly all major league baseball teams now produce St. Patrick's day merchandise, including Kelly green hats, jerseys, and t-shirts.

In the United States, many people have also made the holiday a celebration of the color green. These people, besides wearing green on that day, may also stage dinner parties featuring all green foods. An example of such a menu would be chicken with rice and lima beans with sliced green maraschino cherries in coconut sauce colored with green food coloring, a green salad including greens, avocados and sliced green apples, split pea soup, green tinted bread spiced with sage, Lime Jell-O, iced limeade and/or a green-beer, and lime pudding, key lime pie, or lime sherbet for dessert. Corned beef and cabbage is the most common meal eaten in the United States for St. Patrick's Day, even though historically, corned beef and cabbage is an American (rather than a traditionally Irish) meal.

Perhaps the smallest notable parade, World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade is said to take place in Hot Springs, Arkansas in the United States. Annually held on the historic Bridge Street the parade became famous in the 1940s when Ripley’s Believe It or Not designated it “The Shortest Street in the World.”But Boulder, Colorado claims to have the shortest parade, which is also less than a single city block.

In Philadelphia
The Philadelphia St. Patrick's Parade is the 2nd oldest Parade in the Country, topped only by the New York City Parade. The first documented St. Patrick's Day Celebration Parade in Philadelphia was held in 1771, marking over 230 continuous years of celebrations.

In Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, GA, boasts the unofficial record of having the largest attendance in its St. Patrick's Day parade with the crowd count being declared as a staggering 750,000 in 2006. Unlike other cities, the parade in Savannah takes place on the actual day of Saint Patrick's Day; even if that day is during the work week. However for 2008, the parade will take place on Friday, March 14th, to honor Holy week in the Catholic faith.

The parade starts at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral on Abercorn Street. The actual parade route changes from year to year but usually travels through Savannah's Historic Park District and Bay Street. Usual participants in the parade include the local Armed Forces Units, Cadets from Benedictine Military School, and other local organizations, officials, and establishments. In 2006, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland was featured in the parade.

Since the parade travels through Savannah's Historic Park District, one tradition that has developed has been the official "dyeing of the fountains" which happens several days before the parade. It has also become tradition for women spectators to kiss the Armed Forces Units and other military organization's male members.

The parade is not Savannah's only St. Patrick's day attraction. The Savannah Waterfront Association has an annual celebration on Historic River Street that is reminiscent of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street. There is no cover charge to access River Street, but a $5 wristband is required if one chooses to drink there. Savannah does not have an open container law so there is a proliferation of alcohol on River Street, Bay Street and in City Market.

In Mexico
On this day, and on September 12, the Saint Patrick's Battalion (Batallion de San Patricio) is memorialized. It fought as part of the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848, and was composed of several hundred Irish, Germans, Swiss, Scots and other Roman Catholics of European descent.

Although it's not a popular holiday in Mexico, sometimes school children hit, punch or slap anyone who is not wearing green in their clothes.

New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has a parade that is strongly influenced by Mardi Gras. Unlike most parades, where the participants staidly walk the parade route - with, perhaps, an occasional display of Irish dancing, the parade at New Orleans features floats, jazz bands and colorful costumed characters, with float riders throwing spectators strings of beads, cabbages, and potatoes.

Syracuse, New York
The city of Syracuse, NY has a parade that culminates with the delivery of green beer to Coleman's Irish Pub in the Tipperary Hill section of the city and the painting of a shamrock in front of the pub. Tipperary Hill is home to the World famous "Green-on-Top" Traffic Light - it is the Irish section in Syracuse Historically. Syracuse boasts the largest St. Patrick's day celebration per-capita in the United States.

New York City
The New York parade has become the largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in the world. In 2006 more than 150,000 marchers participated in it, including bands, firefighters, military and police groups, county associations, emigrant societies, and social and cultural clubs, and it was watched by close to 2 million spectators lining the streets. The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and is always led by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment. It is the only New York City parade in which the marchers head uptown instead of downtown.

New York politicians - or those running for office - are always found prominently marching in the parade. Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch once proclaimed himself "Ed O'Koch" for the day, and he continues to don an Irish sweater and march every year, even though he is no longer in office. In a similar fashion, new New York state governor Eliot Spitzer marched in and even visited the morning Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral for the 2007 parade.

The parade is organized and run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. For many years, the St. Patrick's Day Parade was the primary public function of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. On occasion the order has appointed controversial Irish republican figures (some of whom were barred from the U.S.) to be its Grand Marshal.

While it is a popular misconception that the St. Patrick's Day Parade bans 'lesbians and gays, the fact is, that essentially all politically motivated groups, including pro-life groups, are banned from the Parade in an effort to keep politics out of a festive community celebration. Gays and lesbians are welcome to be in the Parade as members of any of the groups allowed.

The New York parade is moved to the previous Saturday (16 March) in years where 17 March is a Sunday. The event is also moved on the rare occasions when, due to Easter falling on a very early date, 17 March would land in Holy Week. This scenario arose in 2008, when Easter fell on 23 March. In many other American cities (such as San Francisco), the parade is always held on the Sunday before 17 March, regardless of the liturgical calendar.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle celebrates St Patrick's Day in grand style, with a full week of activities. Festivities kick off with the proclamation of Irish Week. Due to Seattle's northern state climates, like Ireland, the city received many Irish immigrants. So many that Seattle and Galway are sister cities. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, there's a mini-parade to prepare the parade route with the ceremonial painting of a green stripe down the center of 4th Avenue.

The day of the parade begins with a Catholic Mass for peace. The Seattle Parade starts at 4th Avenue and Jefferson and goes to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park, ending officially at the Seattle Center. The annual Irish Week Festival is enormous, including Irish step dancing, food, historical and modern exhibitions, and Irish lessons. This is all celebrated on March 14. And may be carried on till the 15, 16, and 17 of March.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Southern Nevada, (formerly Las Vegas) Sons of Erin has put on a parade since 1966. It was formerly held on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, later moved to 4th street. Since 2005, the parade has been held in downtown Henderson. It is one of the biggest parades in the state of Nevada. It also consists of a three day festival, carnival and classic car show in Old Town Henderson.

In Canada
In Canada, Saint Patrick's Day is an official holiday only in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Some groups, notably Guinness, have lobbied to make Saint Patrick's Day a federal (national) holiday.

The longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada occurs each year in Montreal, Quebec. The parades have been held in continuity since 1824; however, St. Patrick's Day itself has been celebrated in Montreal as far back as 1759 by Irish soldiers in the Montreal Garrison following the British conquest of New France.

The Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the largest in North America. Since it began in 1988, the parade has grown to include 100 organizations, 32 Irish county associations, 2,000 marchers, 30 floats, 14 bands as well as an assortment of wolfhounds, leprechauns and talking shamrocks. In the Province of Manitoba, the Irish Association of Manitoba runs an annual three day festival of music and culture based around St Patrick's Day.

In Argentina
In Argentina, and specifically in Buenos Aires, all-night long parties are celebrated in designated streets, since the weather is comfortably warm in March. People dance and drink only beer throughout the night, until seven or eight in the morning, and although the tradition of mocking those who do not does not exist, most people would wear something green. In Buenos Aires, the party is held in downtown street Reconquista, where there are several Celtic bars; in 2006, there were 50,000 people in this street and the pubs nearby.

Despite all these varieties, the festivities all over the world are driven by the same spirit. And why not? After all, everybody is Irish on St. Paddy's Day! While it reminds us about St Patrick, the day is also a celebration for being Irish and enjoying everything Irish. So make an attempt to have the real fun of being Irish. Adorn yourself in green clothing, pin on the shamrocks, hunt for the leprechaun (well, not really), cook and feast the Irish way, laugh away all worries with Irish jokes and dance to the tunes of the Irish bands. Top o' the morning to ye!

Traditional corned beef and cabbage is the ultimate in comfort food and a boon for budget conscious families. Slowly simmered with spices, then served with mustard and cabbage, this traditional Irish dish is perfect for those who want a tasty, comforting no-hassle meal. From The Canadian Press…

Corned Beef and Cabbage

• 1.5 kg (3 lb) corned beef brisket
• Water, to cover meat
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) pickling spice
• 30 ml (3 tbsp) salt
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) peppercorns
• 1 head cabbage

In a large stockpot, place corned beef with all the seasonings. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 2 hours. If not tender after 2 hours, keep checking at 15 minute intervals. Remove corned beef (save broth for cabbage). Cut cabbage into wedges, place in a large pan, cover with broth from the beef and simmer until tender. Keep cabbage warm in broth until needed. Serve corned beef with mustard and cabbage.
Makes 4 servings.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions / recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog