Looks great, @Karen McKenzie ! I've just recently (within the past 6 months!) started enjoying avocados. It simply wasn't something I bought in the past. Haven't tried the homemade guac yet, but it's on the agenda.
Wow, everything looks delicious! I'll bring the cranberry-pistachio scones. I always have pistachio scones or muffins on St. Patrick's Day, and since I still have some Craisins, I'm making them cranberry-pistachio this year.
Colcannon is a very simple preparation. There are various methods, but here's a basic one. 500g/1lb2oz floury potatoes, cooked (baking potatoes do the job) 250g/9oz cabbage, shredded and lightly steamed 2 tbsp cream (optional) salt and black pepper 1 large or 2 small onions, sliced thinly oil for frying Sieve or mash the potatoes and mix with the cabbage and cream. Season well with salt and pepper. Fry the onion in the oil over a moderate heat until it is soft and beginning to brown. Using a spatula, press half the potato and cabbage mixture in an even layer on to the onion and fry for 4-5 minutes until it is well browned and crispy underneath. Cut the mixture into 4 quarters with the spatula or palette knife and turn them over carefully so that the crispy bit is uppermost. Press the remaining potato and cabbage mixture on to the first layer and after a few more minutes, cut and turn again. When the bottom is again browned, you will have a crispy top too, a crispy bottom, and a crispy layer in the middle. The English do a similar mashed potato and cabbage dish called bubble and squeak. This is even more basic, just mashed potato and boiled cabbage fried in a pan. Of course, one can liven these things up a bit - I like a good dose of garlic to give it some zing.
Not me personally...Locke's is an old distillery from Westmeath, which is a county to the west of Dublin. My own Irish links are further south in County Cork, but Locke is not a common name, so I might have some distant link!
Speaking of Dublin, I checked out the weather there earlier on the Live Cam I posted over in my Irish thread and it looks cold and misty there. It may have changed by now. I understand that Jameson's and Bushmill's Whiskey are at odds politically. A regional taste of sorts. SHAMROCKER Shot of Bushmill's Irish Whiskey ½ oz. Crème de Menthe 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend on medium, and pour into a martini glass.
There is something of a myth that Bushmills (in the north) is Protestant and Jameson (in the Republic) Catholic, but that doesn't really bear close scrutiny. Bushmills' head distiller is a Catholic and Jameson was founded by a Protestant Scot.
Tom, thank you for that clarification. I knew it was something like that but I thought it was taken more seriously.
St. Patrick's Day Fluff Pops….easy to make yourself and great for a gift! Buy Lollipop sticks at your local crafts shop where they have wedding or cake decorating supplies. Just take marshmallows, dip top half in melted chocolate, dip in sprinkles, and there you are