St. Patrick's Day ended on a frantic note for us. It worked out fine though, and the meal was great. The guests included: my family of four, my sister Karen/her husband Jason/Ava and Jack, my dad, as well as a later visit from my mother-in-law Paula.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I corned my own corn beef using a Martha Stewart recipe. I am thrilled to be able to tell you that it was totally worth the two-week wait.
I will be using my pink salt to make this again soon. After I removed it from the simmering liquid, I put it in a 400 degree oven. This rendered off some of the fat cap, and it dried/browned the exterior nicely. I simmered two head of cabbage in the remaining liquid, and made up a double batch of turnip mashed potatoes. I had also made a wheat and white loaf of Irish soda bread.
For dessert I made the Gramercy Tavern gingerbread as well as the chocolate stout cake. I made the gingerbread in a loaf form, and made the chocolate stout cake into a bundt cake. I had extra batter though, so I made cupcakes and iced them with leftover whipped caramel ganache.
The very surprising, utterly delicious, star of the night (at least for me and Karen, the boys drank Guinness) were these Green Lanterns. We even kept these virgin and they still made us swoon. They were so refreshing. I had made a double batch. Karen and I, drank it all, without telling the kids about them. I have stocked up on the few ingredients and I am making them again tonight.
It is a good thing I kept them virgin. At some point after dinner the kids made up a new game in the play room. Bumper cars. As you can imagine, this didn't end well. Ryan got bumped a bit too hard accidentally and hit his forehead on a bedpost. They all came running into the living room. Ryan's head was pouring blood. He had gashed it pretty good. I didn't go into the medical field for a reason. Unfortunately, no one told me how much blood and broken bones you see as a parent! We quickly changed him into some fresh clothes, held a damp rag/ice to his head, and Justin and I drove him the 20 miles to the er. We were dreading the wait, but luckily they have implemented a new fast track program. We got in and out in less than two hours. He is so good in these situations. He stayed perfectly still and answered all the doctor's questions. The last of the numbing and stitching started to really hurt him, but he still didn't move or cry. By the time, he received his orange popsicle, he was all better.
For dessert I made the Gramercy Tavern gingerbread as well as the chocolate stout cake. I made the gingerbread in a loaf form, and made the chocolate stout cake into a bundt cake. I had extra batter though, so I made cupcakes and iced them with leftover whipped caramel ganache.
The very surprising, utterly delicious, star of the night (at least for me and Karen, the boys drank Guinness) were these Green Lanterns. We even kept these virgin and they still made us swoon. They were so refreshing. I had made a double batch. Karen and I, drank it all, without telling the kids about them. I have stocked up on the few ingredients and I am making them again tonight.
It is a good thing I kept them virgin. At some point after dinner the kids made up a new game in the play room. Bumper cars. As you can imagine, this didn't end well. Ryan got bumped a bit too hard accidentally and hit his forehead on a bedpost. They all came running into the living room. Ryan's head was pouring blood. He had gashed it pretty good. I didn't go into the medical field for a reason. Unfortunately, no one told me how much blood and broken bones you see as a parent! We quickly changed him into some fresh clothes, held a damp rag/ice to his head, and Justin and I drove him the 20 miles to the er. We were dreading the wait, but luckily they have implemented a new fast track program. We got in and out in less than two hours. He is so good in these situations. He stayed perfectly still and answered all the doctor's questions. The last of the numbing and stitching started to really hurt him, but he still didn't move or cry. By the time, he received his orange popsicle, he was all better.
Wow, everything looked so delicious, even the corned beef. I am going to have to try the drink very soon. I am so glad Ryan is alright. I hate the blood and broken bones as well. Kids are so tough and for a good reason.
Posted by: Shannon | March 20, 2009 at 03:11 PM
This dinner shall live on in my memory forever. Twas so good.
It's probably one Ryan will always remember, too...a scar to conjure corned beef and bumper cars, poor thing.
And that Green Lantern! I've wanted one every minute since we left. They are officially my favorite drink.
Posted by: Karen | March 20, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Ow, stitches in the forehead. I guess it would be inappropriate to be making Frankenstein jokes, huh?
Posted by: Marvin the Robot | March 20, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Well, the kids at his school are.... Luckily he is still pretty adorable.
Posted by: Becca | March 20, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Which hospital did you go to, Glenwood? I have a friend that works there as well as my mother who does rounds ( she is a Pediatrician).
Dinner looked good, cannot argue with chocolate and Guinness :)
Posted by: Chicken Fried Gourmet | March 22, 2009 at 08:31 PM
No, Glenwood doesn't except our insurance anymore and their billing system leaves a lot to be desired... We always use SF. I didn't know your mother was a Pediatrician. What is her name?
Posted by: Becca | March 22, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Her name is Dr Meade O'Boyle, she has been practicing in Monroe/West Monroe since 1979.
Posted by: Chicken Fried Gourmet | March 23, 2009 at 09:23 PM