'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'

Editor’s note: Craig Miller Productions, a full service film, video, and event production company located at 1491 Northside Drive, worked with Fitzgerald+CO on a spot for Saturday's Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade. It is titled "2012 ATL St. Patrick's Parade - Irish Eyes.” Since being uploaded to YouTube 10 days ago, despite its somewhat creepy still frame shot, the video has more than 93,000 views. The singing is nice.

The downtown Atlanta parade will begin at noon and feature the world’s largest Irish flag carried by Georgia State University students and faculty. That’s gotta be a big one, and your beaming Irish eyes might help you develop a large appetite after reading through these quick, easy and fun St. Paddy's receipes from Chef Laureen.

My Irish eyes are smiling as we prepare to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day this year. With good health, friends and fabulous food, putting together a Pot of Gold Potluck can be quick simple and delicious.

Saint Patrick was actually born in Wales yet was taken to Ireland as a slave by Irish pirates at the age of 16. St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated publicly in Boston in 1737.

After the great potato famine forced huge numbers of Irish citizens to America, Australia, and Europe and international celebrations became increasingly common.

Celebrate the spirit of the Irish with fresh flavorful traditional Irish creations with a twist that will make all the Leprechauns in your life feeling lucky all day long.

Top ‘O The Mornin’ to Ya!

Corned Beef Hash – Chopped Corned Beef with Onions and Potatoes topped with Fried Eggs and Pumpernickel Toast

Goat Cheese Grits – Stone ground Grits with Kerrygold Butter, Goat Cheese and Parsley

Irish Rashers – Irish Bacon with Chutney Jam on toasted Potato Bread

Potato Cakes – Shredded Potato and Onion cakes with Apples, Irish Cheddar and stone ground Mustard

Reuben Quiche with Rye Cracker Crust – Eggs blended with shaved Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, shredded Swiss Cheese, sliced Scallions, Milk and a touch of ground Mustard all poured into a crust of crushed Rye Crackers

Scones – Maple Raisin Scones with Jam and fresh whipped Cream

Leprechaun Lunches

Irish Grilled Cheese – Rye Bread brushed with Irish Butter blended with Parsley and Chives filled with Irish Cheddar Cheese and Bread and Butter Pickles

Reuben Salad – Shredded Cabbage, sliced Corned Beef, Rye Croutons and hard boiled Eggs tossed with Thousand Island dressing

Potato Soup with Clams & Bacon – creamy sharp Cheddar with Potatoes, Onions, chopped Clams, crispy Bacon and Parsley

Twice Baked Potatoes – Stuffed with Stout Caramelized Onions, Leeks and Irish Cashel Blue Cheese

Beer Battered Fish ‘n Chips – Fresh Cod strips dredged in a Peppered Harp batter served with crispy Potato wedges

People Pleasing Peasant Plates

Shepherd’s Pie – Sautéed Garlic, ground Beef, Broccoli, Carrots and Bell Peppers covered with Sour Cream, cheesy mashed potatoes

Beef and Guinness Stew – Pepper crusted seared Beef with a pinch of Cayenne mixed with Onions, Garlic, Carrots, Tomatoes and Thyme simmered in 1 bottle of Guinness

Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls – Pumpernickel Bread, Corned Beef and stone ground Mustard wrapped in Boiled Savoy Cabbage leaves served with parsley dill mayonnaise

Salmon Spinach Puffs – Salmon filets topped with Garlic Herb Cheese spread and sautéed baby Spinach wrapped in Puff Pastry dough  

Potato Onion and Pea Champ – Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions and Garlic sautéed in Irish butter mixed with fresh baby Peas and Parsley

Colcannon – Mashed Potatoes with boiled Cabbage, chopped Leeks, Salt and Pepper blended to create a lovely pale green fluff topped with a pool of melted Butter

Shamrock Sweets

Grasshopper Pie – Chocolate Cookie crust with heavy whipping Cream with Egg Yolks, Sugar, Crème de Menthe, Crème de Cacao garnished with Mint Chocolate shavings

Irish Crème Chocolate Mousse – Creamy dark Chocolate Mousse blended with Bailey’s Irish Cream topped with whipped Cream drizzled with Chocolate sauce

Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce – Crusty Bread soaked with Raisins, Cinnamon Sugar, Eggs, Milk and Irish Whiskey topped with a buttery Caramel Whiskey sauce

For complete recipes email yellowbandchef@gmail.com and you can always leave me a question or comment here at Midtown Patch.

Wishing you the Luck of the Irish and a big helping of Peace Love Food - 'Sláinte!'