Such a wonderful week!!! My son is home from college on Spring Break, and I am making sure to fit in all of his favorite meals. Last night we had a rack of lamb, roasted in the oven with garlic and onions, rosemary, thyme and oregano…I coated the outside with mustard and horseradish, then added a breadcrumb mixture containing garlic and herbs. On the side I served mashed sweet potatoes – mixed with butter, a little brown sugar, chipotle powder and salt – a green salad, bread (leftover rolls I found in the freezer from Thanksgiving – yum) and a sour cherry sauce to go over the lamb. As I told my boys last night: “That lamb died with purpose!” My whole house smelled delicious, and when I woke up this morning I could still smell the aroma from last night’s dinner. It made me hungry all over again!
Tonight I will be making another favorite I am sure I have mentioned on here in the past: Beef Short Ribs Braised in Porter – topped with a maple syrup-horseradish glaze. I will serve that with mashed golden potatoes and salad. He has requested Corned Beef for tomorrow night since he will not be here for St. Patrick’s Day. I anticipate serving that with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. I make an Irish Soda Bread that I serve with ‘Irish Whiskey Butter’ every year on St. Pat’s, and I plan to make that to go with it as well. It’s the butter that makes the bread special…it is softened butter mixed with Irish Whiskey and brown sugar. Any leftover corned beef makes a delicious hash for breakfast the morning after. When served with a fried egg on top it is raised to a new level, and served with leftover Irish Soda Bread (including that yummy butter) it is just so very over-the-top!
To end I leave you with this Irish quote I found: “•A boy’s best friend is his mother and there’s no spancel stronger than her apron string.” It somehow seemed appropriate….