Somewhere over the rainbow...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland),the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early seventeenth century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture in general. The day is generally characterised by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire and the lifting of Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, which is often proscribed during the rest of the season. Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador and in Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora, especially in places such as Great Britain Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. Today, St. Patrick's Day is probably the most widely celebrated saint's day in the world.  So, today I have prepared an Irish Reuben sandwich and potato salad for you. The Reuben is fairly standard, with a homemade spicy Russian dressing. The potato salad is oil and vinegar based, with a bright addition from fresh herbs. I hope you enjoy!!

St. Patrick's Day Reubens

Rye bread

Corned Beef (sliced thin, or whatever you prefer)

Swiss Cheese

Sauerkraut

Sauce (see recipe below)

Dill pickles (optional)

butter

Prepare sauce. Spread sauce on two pieces of buttered rye, pile on corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and grill in panini press or saucepan until golden. Happy St. Patrick's Day, enjoy!!

Thousand Island Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup ketchup

2 T relish

1 T chopped parsley

1 T chopped chives

2 T minced onions

Pinch cayenne pepper

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients.

Citrus Herb Balsamic Potato Salad

2 lb red potatoes

1 T minced shallot

1 T minced garlic

2 T honey

3 T white balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 C veg oil

1 T dijon mustard

juice of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lime

juice of 1 orange

1 T chopped parsley

1 T chopped dill

1 T chopped thyme

1 T chopped mint

salt and pepper to taste

Dice and boil potatoes until tender. Drain and cool. Mix all ingredients for vinagrette, toss with cooled potatoes.  

Until tomorrow...Peace.