Irish Feast

Easy Entertaining

Irish Feast

Celebrate St. Patty's Day with this easy menu for two

BY Fiona Kennedy
PHOTOGRAPHY John Kelly

Whether you want to serve your sweetie a taste of the Emerald Isle on March 17 or are simply looking for a dinner idea to warm up a blustery evening, these Irish-inspired dishes are your pot o’ gold. The reworked classics are tailored for two diners, so you don’t have to overload your fridge with ingredients before or storage containers after (even a scrumptious Irish stew can get old after the third day of leftovers). And though they’re low in fat and calories, they’re still high in the satisfaction department, which makes them reason to celebrate on their own, any night of the week.

March 2008 p.40

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Spring Salad with Buttermilk Cream Dressing

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Many Irish salad dressings are called cream dressings because they include lots of cream. Here, we’ve lightened the sauce and added whole-grain mustard and buttermilk for extra tang.

Mashed Potatoes with Chives

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It really isn’t an Irish dinner unless there are potatoes. These can be served as a side dish, or combined with a stew to make a cottage pie: Simply place the stew in a pie dish, spread the potatoes on top, and place under the broiler until the potatoes are

Updated Irish Stew

This stew tastes even better as leftovers, once the flavors have had a chance to develop. Serve it over mashed potatoes for a deliciously comforting meal. Traditional Irish stout is not vegan, but to find a beer that is, log on to veganconnection.com.

Irish Coffee Puddings

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To complete the effect of these liqueur-laced custards, bake them in small, sturdy coffee cups. If you can’t find espresso powder, substitute 3 Tbs. strong hot coffee and omit the water.