St. Patty's Day is the BEST day!

Hello world! Long time no post...

One of my most favorite holidays is coming up soon. Can you guess what it is? Let me give you a hint...You wear lots'o green and drink lots'o beer. YES! It is St. Patty's Day! I may be biased because I am part Irish, but who isn't this time of year? In honor of the great holiday, I will be cooking an Irish feast for dinner tonight. The recipe is for none other than Bangers and Mash :-) 

1. Ingredients

   • 2 1/4 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
   • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
   • 1 cup warm milk
   • 1/4 cup melted butter
   • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
   • 8 links pork sausage
   • 1 large onion, sliced and separated into rings
   • 2 (10.25 ounce) cans homestyle beef gravy
   • 2 teaspoons crumbled dried oregano

   Directions

1. Place the potatoes in a pan, and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, leaving the potatoes in the pan.
2. Meanwhile, stir the bouillon cubes into the warm milk until dissolved. Stir the milk mixture and butter into the potatoes. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
3. Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Prick the sausages in a few places with a fork, and place them into the skillet. Cook, turning often, until golden brown and juices run clear, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
4. Using the same skillet, add the onion rings. Cook and stir over medium heat until the onions are golden, but still crisp, about 5 minutes.
5. Heat the gravy in a pan over medium heat.
6. To serve, scoop the potatoes onto a large serving plate. Arrange the sausages over the potatoes, top with the onions, drizzle with gravy, and sprinkle with oregano.

Another traditional food of Ireland is called a Boxty, which is basically a potato pancake. Below is a good recipe for making Boxty's. Serve them with applesauce or sour cream. 

 And remember...

"Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan; if you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man!" 

(Thanks baskerville_gal for this recipe!)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups grated raw potatoes
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon skim milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Toss the grated potatoes with flour in a large bowl. Stir in mashed potatoes until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and skim milk; mix into the potatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in the potato mixture, forming patties about 2 inches in diameter. Fry on both sides until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm.