KORINA MOSS here, excited to have my first Mystery Lovers' Kitchen guest, LISA Q. MATHEWS, sharing her recipe for a complete St Patrick's Day meal, plus a bonus leftovers breakfast! I'd say she's the perfect author to be joining us today. Read on to find out why! Be sure to comment to be entered in her Irish Giveaway!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, one and all! And thank you, Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, for inviting me to share my favorite holiday with you. The Jig is Up, the first book in the Irish Bed & Breakfast series, kicks off on August 20th—but it’s never too soon to start celebrating!
The bagpipes are calling and you’re donnin’ the green, ready to hit the parade. Unless…you somehow forgot to prepare the corned beef and cabbage yesterday. Or you’re still trying to banish last year’s fine aroma from your kitchen. No worries, here’s a delicious, hearty recipe that’ll have you ready for Paddy’s in a pinch—no need for the luck o’ the Irish or a prayer to St. Jude. Send the family off to save a spot at the parade, and Bob’s your uncle.
What you do need are a few simple, fresh ingredients and a can or two of Guinness to make this Irish version of coq au vin. It’s a modified version of the traditional Beef in Guinness, using chicken, which cooks faster. The alcohol burns off in the cooking, and if you don’t have Guinness on hand, you can substitute another beer (the Guinness does give a lovely taste, though.) No need to measure precisely, and if you prefer you can substitute simple boiled potatoes (add salt, butter, and parsley) for the mash. Every family has their own style of spuds, but this is our favorite—and thanks to early training, all of my kids are champion peelers. (My relatives in Ireland can peel with a knife faster than I can get a Good Grips peeler out of the drawer, but there you have it.)
Note: If you’re looking for a truly authentic taste of the Emerald Isle, Kerrygold butter is the way to go. Pure cream from happy Irish cows (all that rain and green grass to roam) and salt. Keep in mind that, due to its higher fat content, it melts faster, and you can use a wee bit less—but you won’t be sorry. (Fun fact: Kerrygold was banned in Wisconsin until 2017.)
Chicken in Guinness with Mash (serves 4)
Ingredients
(Chicken)
2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 yellow onions
6 medium carrots
Enough flour to coat the chicken
Pepper
¼ c butter
2 c Guinness and water, mixed (more as needed)
Fresh parsley
Instructions
Peel and slice the onions and carrots.
Cut chicken into chunks and toss in flour seasoned with pepper. (I shake the chicken in a brown paper bag and dump the chicken pieces into the pot, hands-free.)
Brown chicken quickly in hot butter in Dutch oven or other high-sided pot.
Remove chicken into a bowl and fry onions until transparent.
Return chicken to pot with onions, then add carrots and Guinness/water mixture.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover closely and cook for about an hour. Check periodically to make sure the dish doesn’t dry out, adding more Guinness and water if needed. (I add a little more Guinness than water.) Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
(Mash)
Ingredients
8-10 potatoes (Note: Rule of thumb is 2 medium spuds per person—but make it 3 and you’ll have leftovers. Mashed potatoes can be reheated (microwave works well if you add a little milk and stir-halfway through—but freezing is not recommended!)
1.5 c milk (I use 2%--with more added as needed for smooth consistency)
.5 c butter (more to personal taste, depending on number of spuds)
Sea salt if desired
Pepper
6-12 scallions/green onions (I don’t use the tops)
1 t nutmeg (to taste)
Instructions
Rinse potatoes in cold water, then peel and rinse again. Cut each potato into quarters, then cut any larger pieces so sizes are uniform (they’ll cook more evenly). Place in large saucepan and cover with cold water. Add water high enough so there’s liquid above the spuds, but not so high that the water is likely to boil over.
Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, leaving the lid a bit open. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, so the spuds cook evenly in a crowded pot. Lower heat, and let spuds boil until soft and mushy when pricked with a fork. (It’s okay if the water is a little murky.)
Slice scallions and butter separately while potatoes are cooking and place aside.
Drain water from the pot. Use a potato masher to give the spuds an initial smash, then mash them with a dinner fork. (This prevents hard, uneven surprise lumps.)
Add butter, a few slices at a time. Season potatoes with pepper (and sea salt if you’d like) and stir lightly with fork. Then start gradually adding the milk. Switch from fork to wooden spoon and stir, adding scallions. Then sprinkle nutmeg in, a wee bit at a time—it really “perks” the potatoes.
Serve chicken alongside or atop the potatoes, using plates or bowls. Garnish with parsley sprigs. Serve with Irish brown bread (it has a nuttier, less-sweet taste than soda bread).
I don’t have a bread recipe because…I use a mix, just like my relatives in Ireland! During my first visit I was amazed that delicious fresh bread was served at every meal. I couldn’t stop remarking on it. Upon my return home, I discovered a family member had tucked a package into my suitcase. It just happens that the Buckley family in The Jig is Up secretly uses the same shortcut at their bed & breakfast, The Buckley House. (And so does their big competition, The Smiling Shamrock across town in Shamrock, Massachusetts.)
There's a bonus to using mash instead of boiled potatoes: You’re halfway to a delicious Irish-style breakfast (a mini version) tomorrow. Just form those leftover spuds into paddy’s patties and fry them up with a few Irish bangers (I got mine online). Bring out that trusty brown bread and serve with Irish jam. Leave the dishes to family members or the kitchen fairies (more helpful than the other kinds).
GIVEAWAY: Here's an Irish-themed giveaway for one lucky commenter, complete with an Irish tea-cozy, a tiny inspiring potato, bookmarks, and a package of Cadbury buttons. Giveaway open to US and Canada.
Sláinte, and may the spirit of St. Patrick stay with you year-round!
Readers, how are you spending this fine St. Patrick’s Day?
Irish step dance takes a deadly turn in this Celtic cozy series debut, perfect for fans of Carlene O’Connor and Paige Shelton.
Single-mom and police chief’s daughter Kate Buckley is all about family. After she receives an urgent text from her younger sister Colleen, she puts her life on hold and rushes to her Irish-themed hometown of Shamrock, Massachusetts. With her two daughters in tow, she’s ready to fight if it means she can help her charming but hapless sibling.
When they arrive, Colleen claims it was all a misunderstanding. But everything changes in an Irish minute when Colleen’s best friend Deirdre, a dance show star, is found dead in the parish hall. With the discovery of a possible witness, a chilling motive, and a wee bit of incriminating evidence, Colleen quickly becomes a person of interest in Deirdre’s murder. Convinced her sister isn't a killer, Kate is determined to clear Colleen’s name.
As Kate investigates, Colleen takes charge of Shamrock’s popular Irish dance show in honor of her late friend–with disastrous results. With the St. Patrick’s Week festivities in full swing, Kate must catch the killer before the celebrations are ruined and her sister’s Irish luck runs out.
Available for preorder here.
Website & Newsletter: https://www.lisaqmathews.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LisaQMathewsAuthor
Blog: https://chicksonthecase.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaqmathews/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14418623.Lisa_Q_Mathews
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lisa-q-mathews
Welcome to the blog, Lisa, and thanks for that yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Edith!
DeleteWe celebrated with some friends last night at our local bar. We drank green beer and played pool. Today we will eat our traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun, Audrey--and enjoy that traditional corned beef and cabbage with your family.
DeleteCongratulations on the upcoming book! THE JIG IS UP is already on my TBR list and I can't wait for the opportunity to read and review. I've already entered the Goodreads giveaway and my fingers are crossed to be one of the fortunate ones selected. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipes! I've never heard of nutmeg in potatoes, but you have peeked my interest to give it a try.
Today if preparation day for some company arriving tomorrow. While not fixing a traditional meal today, I will be baking some sugar cookies using green sugar for the top in honor of the day. Does that count? :)
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Festive cookies absolutely count, Kay! (I added Baileys over ice cream with Flake bar crumbles to this meal--but it was a bit too much, lol.) Good luck in the Goodreads giveaway, and hope you enjoy the book!
DeleteWelcome to the Kitchen, Lisa. Thanks for sharing your recipe and congrats on your upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Valerie!
DeleteWelcome back to the Kitchen, Lisa! Happy St. Patrick's Day and happy CONGRATS on the launch of your new series with THE JIG IS UP. You are an amazing writer, and I know everyone will be absolutely charmed in August when they meet the wonderful characters in your Irish Bed & Breakfast world. I'm lovin' your St. Pat's recipe today, mainly because I'm a fan of Guinness stout. It's a great beer to cook with, and I'm looking forward to making your "Irish version of coq au vin" (as you described it, brilliant :)). Also agree on the Kerrygold butter (so good)! Sláinte to you, as well, and cheers for a great day and year! xoxo ~ Cleo
ReplyDeleteCleo, sending you and Marc the warmest of Paddy's Day wishes! Thank you for the kind words--and hope you enjoy the Celtic Coq Au Vin. It will be a breeze for an accomplished chef like you! Cheers and xo
DeleteCongratulations on your new series! Thank you for the recipe - it sounds delicious and perfect for a weekend with a dinner then a breakfast for the leftovers. I am not sure how I"m spending today - probably editing policy for a board I am on OR reading a book....probably both! aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks, April, and I hope you enjoy your day--definitely fit that reading in!
DeleteSt. Patrick's Day is ALWAYS celebrated in my house. My late husband and I were married on St. Patrick's Day.
ReplyDeleteAlthough today, we are taking my sweet Auntie to a Memory Care Facility. She fell in January, no broken hip thank goodness, but some brain swelling which put her into a dementia situation. We are all going to help her get situated in her new home. It will be depressing, but we all will go to visit several times a week. Not the ideal St. Patrick's day, but we are all praying for my Auntie and us.
Tracey, I know this will be a bittersweet St. Patrick's Day for you and your family. How lovely that you and your late husband were married on Paddy's Day--that makes it extra special. Wishing you and your aunt all the best today and for this new chapter--my dad was in Memory Care, too. Maybe they'll serve corned beef in her new home today!
DeleteThank you for the chance to win the goodies and the recipe. Congrats on the book! What is the name of the mix you found in your suitcase? I couldn't find it in the post. I'm a tea drinker and the cozy would be really help keep my tea hot longer. madamhawk at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Madamhawk! I don't recall the name of the mix I found in my suitcase, but this easy Irish one (mentioned above) is available online: Odlums brand, Irish Farmhouse Brown Bread Mix. (You can also find a soda bread mix, but the brown bread is more common in Ireland.)
DeleteI’ll be reading an Irish themed cozy!
ReplyDeleteNjcar22(at) aol( dot) com
DeleteWhat better way to spend a cozy St. Patrick's Day? Enjoy!
DeleteI’ll be visiting my mom. Also interested in the bread mix info.
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am visiting with family today, too! It's chaos here, lol. Bread mix info in the comments above as well, but it's Odlums brand, Irish Farmhouse Brown Bread mix.
DeleteWelcome, Lisa, and thanks for bringing a touch of the luck of the Irish to the blog! We'll be making Guinness stew and soda bread!
ReplyDeleteYum, Leslie! I love Guinness stew as well. Some of my family doesn't eat beef or lamb--but others were horrified by the chicken idea. Cheers!
DeleteLeslie, now there's a perfect meal! Enjoy!
DeleteSláinte, Lisa and welcome! I love this recipe, and I bet the Guinness makes all the difference. As to our plans for today: We live oin a small town known as The Avocado Capital of the World...so we are green through and through. My wife and I are currently having breakfast dressed in green, and having green tea! Then we go to church, and lunch at a restaurant that is featuring an "authentic" Irish meal. I bet they never heard of Chicken in Guinness with Mash, so we'll have to make it ourselves. This recipe goes on our TBM (to be made) list, and will buy a 6 pack of Guinness, even though the recipe itself calls for very little...we will enjoy it as a complimentary "side" :-) Thank you for introducing yourself to us readers...I will definitely be reading The Gig Is Up...just looking at the cover entices me to read it! Thank you so much again, and Happy St. Pat's ! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteWow, what a festive (and busy!) celebration you have planned. And I bet those restaurant chefs have never served Chicken in Guinness, either--especially with mash, lol. My hubby is not a beef or lamb fan. Enjoy your extra-green day and The Jig is Up!
DeleteLove the green themed-day! You can never have too much green, lol. I bet those restaurant chefs have never heard of Chicken in Guinness, either--especially with mash. Happy St. Paddy's, and hope you enjoy The Jig is Up!
DeleteWelcome Lisa! Salmon, colcannon and soda bread on the menu here today. Echoing a few others, would love to know the name of the brown bread mix. The Jig Is Up sounds delightful, so adding it to my TBR list. Thanks for the recipe and Sláinte! makennedyinaz at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia! Now that's a traditional Irish meal you'll be having. The brown bread mix was Odlums brand Irish Farmhouse Brown Bread Mix. Thanks for adding JIG to your TBR list, and cheers back to you.
DeleteOh this looks so good and so different! No Irish-inspired food at my house today. Both daughters work and I rarely cook anymore. It'll be a quiet day for me after a busy day working a vendor event yesterday. <3 Thank you for sharing your recipes and your book!
ReplyDeleteEmail: zvanoizu@hotmail.com
Thank you, Jenny. The great thing about St. Patrick's Day is that there are plenty of opportunities for ease and rest, too. Enjoy your day of relaxation!
DeleteThank you, Jenny--the great thing about St. Paddy's is that there also plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation. Enjoy your day!
DeleteJenny, enjoy your day of relaxation--that's what St. Patrick's Day is for, to be sure.
DeleteThank you! The name of the mix I used was Odlums brand, Irish Farmhouse Brown Bread Mix. (Milling in Ireland since 1845!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathryn! Happy Paddy's Day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff.
ReplyDeleteToday my husband and I are having bangers and mash for dinner. Tuesday our daughter, grandaughter, and a UK friend are having corned beef with Cleo's loaded calconnon with us.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Wow, Libby, that sounds delicious! How nice that you are having 2 celebrations--and you simply can't go wrong with any of Cleo's recipes.
DeleteJust looked up the bread mix you mentioned.
DeleteYikes! Almost $10 for one loaf! A bit too dear, I think.
Only for special occasions, Libby! I tried to make brown bread from scratch once, but it did not go well.
DeleteGreat recipe and giveaway, Lisa. Nice to have you in the kitchen today!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Molly! I am truly honored to be here. Special thanks to you, Korina, and Cleo. Cheers!
DeleteThank you, Molly--I am honored to be here. Special thanks to you, Korina, and Cleo.
DeleteYou are most welcome, Kathryn. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteI will be making Corned Beef with cabbage, carrots and potatoes. Thank you for the recipe. I will be trying this it sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteA lovely meal, Deborah--enjoy!
DeleteA fine meal plan, Deborah!
DeleteOh, my does this look yummy! I've used Guinness with beef, but now I'm going to have to try it with chicken, too! And Kerrygold is my go-to butter, as well--love that high fat content! Was it banned in Wisconsin because it was too much better than their version? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie! Well, the story goes that, because Kerrygold was sourced in Ireland, they didn't issue American product grades. Take that with a Kerry-sized grain of salt, ha--but it is legal in WI now.
DeleteYou are most welcome, Kathryn--Happy St. Paddy's!
ReplyDeleteI sadly did not purchase any corned beef so I have on a pot of pinto beans and will be making a squash casserole and some cabbage, so I have the cabbage!! Thank you for the recipe! I will have to try it! I have never cooked chicken in beer. I usually simmer my Brats in beer before I grill them. Your book sounds fun! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteA nice healthy dinner, Alma. Usually it's chicken in wine--but I couldn't resist trying the Guinness!
DeleteThat recipe looks delicious! I must try it. My husband is out of town so no real celebration going on here. I'm wearing my Paddy Old Irish Whiskey sweatshirt we bought in Ireland ages ago. And remembering how good the bread was! I will have to toast St Paddy with a small glass of Bushmills and water this evening. patdupuy@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a lovely evening, Pat--and really, nothing beats a comfy sweatshirt.
DeleteI spent today with family and we were all wearing green. I had a special Irish meal on Friday and bought some corned beef today to make later this week.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Glad to hear you're extending the celebration, Nancy--Happy Paddy's Week!
DeleteWent to church, shopping, ate with my family and then we will enjoy a St. Patrick's Day themed dessert of decorated cookies. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on the Irish-themed dessert, Cherie! A perfect ending to the day. (Heading to kitchen now.)
DeleteIt’s colcannon and Scotch for dinner tonight. And wishing we all already had your book in our greedy little paws!
ReplyDeleteP.S. we promise not to tell about the mix 😉
Hi Ruth! Sounds perfect. And yes, we'll keep that little secret between us and the internet, lol. (Guess I ratted on my characters, though. Hope their B&B doesn't lose a shamrock rating.)
DeleteCongratulations on your new book! I’m looking forward to reading your series!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Happy Paddy's, and hope you enjoy the books.
DeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day! In Chicago, St. Patrick's Day is a weekend long affair. Went out to dinner yesterday for corned beef and cabbage and watched them dye the Chicago River green and the parade on TV yesterday.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
What fun, Dianne! I love Chicago. In Jig, the town of Shamrock turns Emerald Lake green for St. Patrick's week. Apparently the dye is orange to start, which fascinates me.
DeleteWe are wearing green and celebrating by having corned beef and cabbage for dinner!!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
You can't go wrong with the classic--especially when sharing with family!
Deletewearing green
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Keep wearing that green— beyond St. Patrick’s Day, a true sign of spring!
DeleteThat “anonymous” was me, Lisa!
DeleteI am spending the day babysitting my granddaughters, age 2 1/2 and 9 months old. Since mom and dad are working, I don't think there will be corned beef and cabbage this year :( lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLinda, your Paddy's Day must have been a blur! I, too, spent the day with little ones. Pure chaos. They wore me out, lol.
DeleteIt's a quiet St Patrick's Day here. We are moving next month so all my energy is going to that. I did try Corned beef and cabbage in the pressure cooker. I loved it and will cook it in the pressure cooker from now on.
ReplyDeletesuseyhomemaker @ Gmail dot com
Susey, I'll have to clue the Buckley chefs into the pressure cooker idea--they're all about the easy! Best of luck for your move--that's a lot of energy, indeed.
DeleteI plan to spend it reading Irish MIlkshake Murder.
ReplyDeleteOoo, fantastic choice, Sherry!
DeleteI can't wait to read this series! It sounds like it will be fun. I love books set in Ireland. 3labsmom(at)gmail(dot)com.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda--me too! This series is actually set in the Irish-themed town of Shamrock, MA--their slogan is "a wee bit o' Irish heaven in New England."
DeleteI was too busy enjoying St Patrick's Day to make it to the blog yesterday. The corned beef was the most tender one I've ever had and all the credit goes to my husband. This chicken recipe looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sue--and here's to wonderful family members who cook! Glad you enjoyed Paddy's Weekend.
Delete