Candlelight Supper: Saint Patrick's Day Tablescape 2016 + Recipes

Monday, March 14, 2016

Saint Patrick's Day Tablescape 2016 + Recipes

Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Celebrate whether you are Irish or not...

I am Irish, with the last name of McGuinness.  You couldn't get more Irish than that!

We always celebrated this day in my childhood home.  Having the Irish-American meal of Corned Beef and Cabbage.  I would make Shamrock shaped sugar cookies and take them to school each year from about 1st grade on.  It was a fun tradition for me.

My tablescape for this year was fun to do and I am featuring the meal as my centerpiece.  My St. Patrick's Day tablescape from last year you can see here was more decorative.  This year I have included 2 great recipes.












I plated up the corned beef, red potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and at the end of the plate some adorable multi-colored mini potatoes.  The corned beef is organic and naturally brined, so the beef when cooked doesn't turn out as pink as other commercially prepared corned beef.  I do know how to do my own brining but I purchased this one at Whole Foods.







I always enjoy Irish Soda Bread.  You wouldn't think that there wouldn't be much difference in taste but the recipe I now have is the best I have ever tried.  It melts in your mouth.  You can use raisins or currants, but I really really prefer currants in this bread.  They are smaller and you get a little bit of sweet in every bite.  You are not overwhelmed by the larger raisins.  You probably all know but if you keep about a Tablespoon of flour out of the recipe and sprinkle it over the currants or raisins and mix the flour with the fruit, the fruit won't glob up but spread around evenly in your recipe.

Irish Soda Bread (the best recipe I have found)
3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder (higher altitudes may need a little less)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup raisins or currants (again I prefer currants, as I stated above)
1 1/2 cup fresh Buttermilk (must be buttermilk)

In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients (in the order listed), stirring until it forms a soft dough.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just until it's a smooth ball (don't do too much kneading).  
Flatten and place in a greased baking pan.  I prefer to shape it in a round loaf on a cookie sheet.  Slash the top with a sharp knife.  I do some diagonal slashes, not too many.  Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake 40-45 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.  
If you want a sourdough flavor you can leave out the sugar, but I prefer the sugar, it is not a large amount at all.  Enjoy as it is delicious.  With butter on top it melts in your mouth.




Keeping true to my heritage my butter is from Ireland,  Kerrygold.  Irish butter has a higher fat content and smoke point.  The cattle are grazing grass fed cows.





Another of my favorite recipes for any cut of beef and great on baked potatoes or potato salad, as well as a great veggie dip.  You have to try this.  So delicious!  


Creamed Horseradish Sauce

2 Tablespoons Horseradish (not horseradish sauce, I used a prepared horseradish in a glass jar)
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise (I prefer Kraft mayo and not the diet kind)
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Tarragon Wine Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon mustard (I like Grey Poupon)
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper
1/2 cup Heavy Cream, Whipped (DO NOT sweeten the cream)
Sweet Hungarian Paprika, (for garnish)

In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, EXCEPT the heavy cream and paprika.  Mix until smooth.  Whip the cream (again do not add anything to the cream).  Fold the whipped cream into the first mixture slowly-do not beat.  Place the sauce into a serving dish and then into the fridge to chill until ready to serve.  Just prior to serving, add a dash of paprika and or parsley flakes over the top for a garnish.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
This really makes a wonderful sauce for any beef recipe or to top a baked potato, added to potato salad or a wonderful dip for vegetables.  The flavor is deep, rich, and oh so creamy.  The flavor of the horseradish is actually quite mild and not overpowering.   






A photo of my Daddy.  He was a Staff Sargent in World War II.  I was taking photos of my Tablescape today.  It was bright bright sun with a snow blizzard at the same time.  Amazing and beautiful to see but not good for photos.  So Daddy dear I am sorry.  He had a great sense of humor so I am not really serious.
















Please feel free to leave a comment below.  Thanks for looking.
I will be posting this for Tablescape Thursday 
at Between Naps on the Porch.

32 comments:

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Hello Valerie, your table is lovely with it's green plates and accents.Love the center small Irish plate. The meal is perfect for this setting...a favorite in which we both enjoy. I always wonder why we don't have it more often. A fitting beautiful table to honor your heritage.

Candy S said...

Valerie, Your Saint Patrick's Day tablescape is lovely. The Irish knot plates are perfect and the recipes sound great. I will be trying the horse radish sauce tonight with flat iron steaks made on the grill. I can't wait to taste it!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!
Candy

susie holler said...

Valerie where ever did you find these Celtic plates beyond gorgeous.A truly stunning table as always great job Lassie.my Irish heritage salutes you girl.Slainte.Susie

Unknown said...

I'm salivating looking at that meal of corned beef and cabbage! What a handsome veteran! I can't wait to use these recipes tomorrow. :-)

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Yum! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes. I was hoping to find some real authentic Irish recipes at the blog crawl. I love your setting. Those small celtic knot plates are beautiful! I am joining you today for the blog crawl as well.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Love your dish stack. The top plate is fantastic. Your recipes sound good. I'm not doing the corned beef this year mainly because I end up with too much of the left overs. I will miss the smell that day though! My father was also a Staff Sargent in WWII (air core). Have yourself a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Bonnie said...

Wow, your shamrock plant is the prettiest I've seen. So many blooms. Your food is looking delicious. I am happy you shared the Irish soda bread recipe. I pinned it because the one I used was ok but not great. Love your Irish butter in the shamrock dish.

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

How nice to see how a true "Irish woman" celebrates this holiday! Your table is gorgeous (love the plates) and the "food centerpiece" looks so delicious! I pinned the pic of the food on the table for sure!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Valerie, I am in love with your plate service, especially the Celtic design of the top dish. However, your meal and bread have stolen the show! It looks absolutely delish, and thank you for the recipes! My Irish heritage is also from my Dad's side, and he, too, served in WWII. Celebrate with pride!
Rita C at Panoply

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Valerie, I'm so hungry after looking at your recipes! The soda bread looks so moist and that' a good tip for the fruit which I did not know. Now I'm craving the boiled dinner and I had not been planning to make it. I think I must now! The celtic knot plate is so unique and interesting. Happy St. Patrick's Day to a true Irish girl! Linda

Rosie M. said...

Such a pretty table (love the Irish knot plate!) and your meal looks yummy!! Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

Marigene said...

Beautiful table...♥ the Celtic knot plates. Your food is making me hungry!
Happy SPD!

Barbara F. said...

Your table is beautiful,your meal looks scrumptious, too. Visiting from Kathleen's blog crawl.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Your table is beautiful and I am very fond of the Celtic knot plates! If only I were Irish, I may add some to my collection. LOL

Each year I made soda bread, and finally this year I found my favorite. Next year I am trying yours. ♣

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

Your table is stunning.

The French Hutch said...

Valerie, your plates are gorgeous! Love the Irish design, I've never seen these. The place setting is picture perfect. loving the place mats and the tussle mussie filled with Irish gold! Your recipes look delicious and sound so good. I've certainly enjoyed my visit here with you today.
Happy St. Patrick's Day……….

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

It's so nice to meet you, Valerie! Your table is truly Irish inspired! The chalkboard is so pretty and I just love all your recipes and your decor. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! ☘

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Such a beautiful Irish table. You know, I've never made Irish soda bread but since you've said it's the best you've had and you're Irish, I'm saving your recipe for when I decide to make my first! Happy St. Patrick's Day. Here from Kathleen's party :)

Lady of the Manor said...

Wow, your table is gorgeous. I just love those top plates!! Thanks for the recipes, too. I haven't found a soda bread recipe I've been happy with. Mine seem to turn out dry and tasteless to me. I'll be giving your recipe a try. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

bj said...

What a handsome daddy you had...his photo is the star of your pretty table....(and in your heart, I'm sure)
Thanks for the recipes...especially the soda bread...I love it.

Schotzy said...

Most beautiful table Ive seen.... love the celtic knot centerpiece... and your shamrock is blooming so prolifically... WOW!!! Loved my visit with you!!!Thanks for stopping at my place!

thepaintedapron.com said...

hi Valerie! What a great table and meal for St. Pat's, I'm sure this is truly a special holiday around your house! Thanks for the flour tip in the bread recipe, I've heard that before but with your explanation now it makes sense and I get it. Happy St. Pats!
Jenna

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

Valerie, such a beautiful table, as always...the Celtic elements of your 'scape are divine!

Rettabug said...

Valerie (my DD's name, too!) this is one of the most elegant tablescapes for St. Patrick's Day that I've seen yet! Beautifully done with all those really special touches. My Mom's maiden name was Peggy O'Neil, so I consider myself very Irish, although born here in America.
You did a lovely job of arranging that yummy food. I've never bothered to serve it so nicely & I should.
I wish I had a slice of your soda bread. I didn't feel like making any this year for just one person & every store I went into, they didn't have any. What's up with that?!
Anyway, Happy Irish Week!

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I bet you make the best Irish soda bread! I want a slice of your soda bread, it looks scrumptious! Your beautiful tablescape truly captures St Patrick's Day so prettily! I loved every "Irish" detail especially those Celtic knot plates... they are gorgeous! Beautiful gold flatware! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring tablescape with us! Hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! Hugs, Poppy

Sarah said...

Valerie, this is a beautiful table to celebrate St. Pat's Day. I'm not Irish, but I sure do like the menu you are serving. I think any guest would be thrilled to dine at this table. Did you make those adorable tussie-mussies at each place setting? I'd like some of these for next year.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

What a fabulous celebration with such amazing food that is making me hungry and the stack of plates is gorgeous!
Hope you had a wonderful St. Patty's, which I'm sure you did and had delicious food.
Blessings,
FABBY

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I'm not sure which is more stunning, the food or the table! I love your table with those amazing little salad/snack plates. Everything looks so perfect and festive. Your potted shamrock looks fabulous as well. I don't think I've ever seen one bloom with such profusion.

Kathleen said...

That table is just beautiful! I love those Celtic plates! Thanks so much for taking part in the 8th Annual SPD Crawl, so many great gals joined in!

Kathleen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra Lee said...

Your tables are always so perfectly designed and this one is no exception. The gold toned flatware really caught my eye, as I've been looking for a new set for quite a while. Beautiful table Valerie and Happy Easter!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a wonderful St. Pat's tablescape!! Love the beautiful gold flatware!!
Hugs,
Debbie