Go Green!

It's almost time for the "wearin'-o-the-green" and I can't wait! It’s easy being green on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s delicious fun, too, especially when you incorporate great recipes into your celebration. Think "Loaded Baked Potato Soup" (page 27 in "A Pinch of This... A Smidgen of That" Cookbook), "Irish Stew" (p. 53),  "Lorna's Yummy, Yummy Reuben Loaf" (p. 66 in the cookbook, or here on the blog: http://pinchofthissmidgenofthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Reuben%20Loaf), or "My Favorite Slowcooker Stew" (p. 50, or here on the blog: http://pinchofthissmidgenofthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Reuben%20Loaf). Add to those a great dessert like the one we're making today, and you're all set to celebrate your Irish heritage.

My dad's ancestors came to the United States from County Tyrone, Ireland circa 1700. The Casey Family Association, Inc. (CFA) (www.cfainusa.org), was started on July 20, 1993, as a not for profit family association whose purpose is multifaceted, with the primary goal to perpetuate the history and name of the descendants of Abner & Peter Casey, cir. 1700 of County Tyrone, Ireland. Thanks to the CFA, we have enJOYed getting together with our Irish cousins and getting to know more about our heritage. St. Patrick's Day is just one more excuse to celebrate family and have fun doing so.

This year, I look forward to visiting historic Savannah, GA during their 188th. St. Patrick's Day Parade and Celebration (for more information, see: http://www.savannahsaingpatrick'sday.com). Savannah is known for hosting what has grown to be the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world. However, according to Savannahians, it is the grandest in the world! Savannah's first St. Patrick's Day Parade was in 1813, only 80 years after the city was founded. Today, Savannah residents begin this religious and cultural celebration approximately two weeks prior to the parade. The three-hour parade consists of over 350 units, including the 282nd U.S. Army Band (Fort Jackson, S.C.), The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (Fort Myers, VA), U.S. Coast Guard Pipes and Drums (Norfolk, VA), Irish Air Corps Pipes and Drums (Dublin, Ireland), and many more. I am beyond excited about all the bagpipes and Irish tunes we'll hear during the parade. Gotta start practicing my Irish jig!

But, first, I promised you a yummy Irish dessert that you can make at home and serve on March 17. I've seen several names on this dish, but today, it's going to be Eire (Pron. AY-reh) Pie. Eire is the Irish Gaelic name for Ireland.

Eire (AY-reh) Pie

I was so excited about making this yummy dessert that I totally forgot that I intended to share it on the blog. Therefore, I didn't take photos of the collection of ingredients before I started putting it together. Before I knew it, it was baked and in the dessert plate (and in my mouth). So, today, you get pix of the finished product only. Of course, as always, if you have any questions, just message or email me.

Here are the ingredients you'll need to gather:

1 stick butter, melted
1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/2 - 1 c. chopped nuts (I used 1 cup of chopped pecans)



8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 c. Cool Whip

2 small pkgs. pistachio instant pudding
3 c. milk

1/2 cup moist coconut

1/4 cup toasted coconut

1/2 cup toasted pecans

Prepare a 9 x 13 inch pan (grease or spray with non-stick coating).

Prepare the crust by mixing flour, nuts, and melted butter. Press in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool. (Be sure this is completely cool before covering it with the cream cheese layer.)

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Blend in Cool Whip and spread over cooled crust.

Pour milk into large mixing bowl, and then add the two boxes of dry pudding mix. I use a large wire wisk to beat these together until it thickens. Once it's well mixed, you can just let it sit for a few minutes and it will thicken on its own. When thick, spread evenly over cheese mixture. Cover with remaining Cool Whip.

If you haven't already toasted your pecans and coconut, you can do this in a 350 degree oven. I place my coconut and pecans together in a large iron skillet and bake them, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, for about 10 to 15 minutes (or to your taste. You might not like yours toasted quite as dark as I toasted mine, so bake fewer minutes, according to your individual taste). Be sure to allow this mixture to cool completely before using it to garnish the top of your Cool Whip layer. Sprinkle the top first with the moist coconut, then use the toasted pecans and coconut mixture to complete your garnish.

Refrigerate for several hours and enJOY!

For another yummy traditional Irish treat, check out the blog for Casey Clan's Irish Soda Bread, here: http://pinchofthissmidgenofthat.blogspot.com/search/label/Irish%20Soda%20Bread.

Eire Pie

CRUST:

1 stick butter, melted
1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/2 - 1 c. chopped nuts (I used 1 cup of chopped pecans)

Use 9 x 13 inch pan (greased or sprayed with non-stick coating). Prepare the crust by mixing flour, nuts, and melted butter. Press in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.

FILLING:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 c. Cool Whip

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Blend in Cool Whip and spread over cooled crust.

PUDDING:

2 small pkgs. pistachio instant pudding
3 c. milk

Mix pudding and milk until thick. Spread evenly over cheese mixture. Cover the pudding layer with the rest of the Cool Whip.

GARNISH:

1/2 cup moist coconut

1/4 cup toasted coconut

1/2 cup toasted pecans

Sprinkle the top first with the moist coconut, then with toasted pecans and toasted coconut.

Refrigerate for several hours. Cut into squares and enJOY!

CLADDAGH

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is my Claddagh ring that my husband gave me for Christmas a few years ago.

The Claddagh ring features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). In addition to these qualities, the Claddagh ring has come to denote pride in Irish heritage. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring)

As you celebrate St. Patty's Day this year, may you experience the BLESSINGS of

LOVE, FRIENDSHIP,  and LOYALTY!