Throw the Best St. Patrick’s Day Party Ever

It’s time to wear the green and celebrate the saint and the accomplishments of his people. Yup, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. You can throw a fun – but not raucous   party without the usual green beer and wildness. Anyone can celebrate the richness of the Gaelic culture and its’ food.

1) Wit of the Irish. The Emerald Isle has produced some sharp humor and razor tongued writers in the last three hundred years. Have a reading of satirist Jonathan Swift’s or the viciously funny Oscar Wilde (both Dublin born) to start the evening off.

2 )NO green beer!!! That’s an Irish American tradition. If you want to celebrate Ireland’s rich brewing heritage, then serve up some stout. This thick, tasty draught is a meal in itself and is the perfect drink to serve on a cold March night. (it’s also a favorite of Keira Knightly who, alas, is Scottish and English, not Irish).

3)Irish bruschetta???? Well this is the old Sod’s take on that Italian appetizer classic. Bake up a loaf of raisinless Irish soda bread and top toasted slices with a mix of sautéed shredded cabbage and finely chopped corned beef. You can also top the rounds with a smear of Irish sweet butter and salmon. (the Irish are also known for their salmon streams).

4) And then there’s the real thing. Irish cuisine employs the local foods and drink. You can make a rich porter stew which is braised beef and vegetables seasoned with Guinness. Serve with boxties, potato pancakes, that come from Northern Ireland. Other fine dishes are individual servings of champ or colcannon which are mashed potatoes and kale dishes. Serve with Dublin lawyer, a lobster dish made with whiskey and cream or pickled mackerel. An easy dish is scallop pie, buttered scallops cooked in a casserole dish and topped with a crust of mashed potatoes.

5)Wear your clan’s kilt. Yes, the Irish had kilts too. Remember the movie, Braveheart when  both the skirted Gaels’ and William Wallace‘s men met? Unlike the Scots, though, Irish clan kilts are a solid color. Use the internet to locate your family’s color and wear it proudly that night. (Just remember to wear boxers or briefs. You don’t want it to turn into an X-rated Celtic affair).