Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with an authentic Irish meal is a great way to get the whole family involved and into the spirit of the holiday. Corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd's Pie, and Irish stew are all good choices, but are over done and let's face it - not much fun. So why not take this year's St. Patty's Day dinner up a notch with a unique baked Irish potato bar? These potato topper recipes are quick and easy to prepare, leaving lots of time to enjoy with the family. For an extra special treat, offer both toppers and use small potatoes so everyone can try them both.
Potatoes: Bake your potatoes so that they are done slightly before your topper(s) and keep warm wrapped in aluminum foil in the oven until ready to serve.
Corned Beef Potato Topper Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup minced onion
4 Tbl. Butter
3 Tbl. All-purpose flour
1 to 1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 lb. deli corned beef, sliced 1/8" thick and cut into 1/8" cubes
Salt & pepper
Directions:
1. Sauté onions in butter over medium heat until soft. Do not brown.
2. Add flour a little at a time and stir until it is completely absorbed. Continue cooking for about five minutes, until lightly browned.
3. Add 1 cup of the milk all at once and whisk vigorously until smooth.
4. Add corned beef and stir.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Continue cooking until thick. Add more milk if necessary. Final product should be the consistency of very thick gravy so that it stays when added to the split baked potato.
Bangers and Peas Potato Topper Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup minced onion
4 Tbl. Butter
3 Tbl. All-purpose flour
1 to 1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 lb. bangers (pork breakfast sausage links), cut into 1/4" rounds
1/2 cup frozen petite green peas
Salt & pepper
Directions:
1. Sauté onions in butter over medium heat until soft. Do not brown.
2. Add flour a little at a time and stir until it is completely absorbed. Continue cooking for about five minutes, until lightly browned.
3. Add 1 cup of the milk all at once and whisk vigorously until smooth.
4. Add bangers and peas. Stir.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Continue cooking until thick. Add more milk if necessary. Final product should be the consistency of very thick gravy so that it stays when added to the split baked potato.
Nothing is more Irish than a potato, and serving up these stuffed versions will please even your pickiest leprechauns. Glazed carrots, Irish soda bread and green lemonade make great St. Patrick's Day accompaniments.
More from Cherri:
St. Patrick's Day on a Stick - Irish Party Appetizers
