Corned Beef and Cabbage

I meant to post this on St. Patrick's Day, so here it is then. Better late than never.

Came across this poem, and couldn't resist posting it here:

GOOD GRIEF - NOT BEEF!
I just want to put something straight
About what should be on your plate,
If it's corned beef you're makin'
You're sadly mistaken,
That isn't what Irishmen ate.
If you ever go over the pond
You'll find it's of bacon they're fond,
All crispy and fried,
With some cabbage beside,
And a big scoop of praties beyond.
Your average Pat was a peasant
Who could not afford beef or pheasant.
On the end of his fork
Was a bit of salt pork,
As a change from potatoes 'twas pleasant.
This custom the Yanks have invented,
Is an error they've never repented,
But bacon's the stuff
That all Irishmen scoff,
With fried cabbage it is supplemented.
So please get it right this St. Paddy's.
Don't feed this old beef to your daddies.
It may be much flasher,
But a simple old rasher,
Is what you should eat with your tatties.
©Frances Shilliday

I remembered fondly the trips to Ireland some years back. The people were delightful with a wicked sense of humor, the countryside spectacular with their shades of green, and the drive from Dublin to Galway through many towns like Kilkenny, Limerick, Cork, (to name a few), and even an overnight stay and dinner at the famous Darina Allen's Ballymaloe House in the countryside. I thoroughly enjoyed the bed and breakfast places along the way, and the irish breakfast with rashers, eggs, potatoes, and black puddings. Oh, and the soda breads. Not to mention the Guinness plant in Dublin. It was one of my more memorable trips.

I know that this is not the traditional irish meal for St. Patrick's Day, but I love corned beef and cabbage anyway, and made it instead of a Guinesss Stew. It also brought back memories of cravings for corned beef during my second trimester, and it got to the point when I had rebens for breakfast at a New York deli in town. But that's another story... But maybe that's where the irish yankees got the idea for corned beef and cabbage? I'm kidding, of course, but it sure is a tasty treat!

The corned beef came with a packet of spices, and I added extra garlic and bay leaves to the pot. Used a pressure cooker, and it was ready in 40 mins. Used red cabbage instead as a personal preference. Served with boiled finger potatoes.