Two loaves of Irish Soda Bread are baking in the oven emanating a buttery temptation as the scent of baking bread rises on this rather gloomy St. Patrick’s Day. These two loaves will follow me out the door and down the roads I often traverse. When I return home, two more will go into the oven; one for my tall, Irish lad and the other for a neighbor.
We had a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage the other night when our Up North family was in and our hereabouts daughter and son-in-law could join us. Tonight – ah, tonight, I will make corned beef hash from the tasty leftovers.
I will be back writing soon, but, until then . . .
“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.” Irish Blessing
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with quite a bit of enthusiasm in these parts, with plenty of corned beef and cabbage to be had, the wearin’ of the green the fashion of the day, Irish music being played in pubs and on the radio, and local television stations featuring everything from how to make green beer local step dancing troupes performing.
Chicago and the suburbs surrounding it boast a large Irish American population; a proud people whose heritage enriches the lives of all us, especially Herself, for you see, Himself is half Irish. Here on the Cutoff, we celebrate with a slow cooked corned beef cabbage and carrot dinner, which is preceded by aromas wafting from the oven of Irish soda bread, and, yes, a glass of beer raise in a toast with. My soda bread recipe is here, as well as how it came to be in our family.
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The City of Chicago has several St. Patrick’s Day parades, one down Columbus Drive along Lake Michigan, the other on Chicago’s south side, with several suburbs boasting large parades as well. I know for I’ve marched in a few myself.
Come mid March, the Chicago River faithfully turns a shade of emerald green; a sight to behold, especially for a river that flows backwards.
Now, my friends, I’m a bit sluggish today for all the soda bread I’ve stuffed into my mouth, so I’ll leave you with these few pictures, links, and video of St. Paddy’s Day the Chicago way.
Himself and I enjoy the lilt and lyrics of a well-known Chicago group called Arranmore. I’ve posted about their rendition of Danny Boy, which always has us weeping, here. They have another song, which plays on local radio shows on St. Patrick’s Day, that is always good fun to hear. It is called South Side Irish.
Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Have you ever marched in a parade?
This is the only time of year that we eat corned beef with cabbage, carrots and potatoes and warm soda bread with butter slathered on top. I often make several loaves to share. This year I won’t be able to. Some years are like that. Instead, our dinner will simmer while chores and some project are done, and maybe, just maybe, if the luck o’ the Irish is upon me, The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara will magically appear on the television screen.
In the meantime, I thought you might like to listen to a version of Danny Boy by one of our favorite local groups, Arranmore. We have seen Arranmore perform several times and this rendering always tugs at my heart.
Many of Arranmore’s musicians were born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, which is home of many of Irish descent. Where else would one find the Chicago River turning green each year? Parades are anticipated events both in the city and suburbs. It seems all of Chicago is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day, and no where more so than the South Side of Chicago.
South Side Irish, by Arranmore, is played on March 17 on local stations and in pubs and bars. I thought you might enjoy it.
Circles of Life: My professional background in Foods and Nutrition (MS, Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, RDN, LDN) provides the background for my personal interests in nutrition, foods and cooking; health and wellness; environment and sustainability.
Begun in 2010, this blog offers analysis and reflection by Susan Bailey on the life, works and legacy of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Susan is an active member and supporter of the Louisa May Alcott Society, the Fruitlands Museum and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
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