traditional irish potato farls

Yet another delicious traditional Irish food! The word farl originates from the Gaelic word fardel meaning four parts. These potato griddle breads can be made with leftover mashed potatoes too. Serve hot with a little butter and salt, or fry them alongside soda bread as part of an Ulster Fry-up. Traditionally, these are served with scrambled eggs, baked brown beans, a few sausage links or bacon with soda bread toast for breakfast or brunch. You'll be so full you won't eat for 2 days!

Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes, peeled and halved

1 pinch salt

1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions:

1) In a pot, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer on medium-high heat until the center of the potatoes are tender when pricked with a fork, about 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Drain, return potatoes to pot and allow to completely dry out over remaining heat. Mash with a potato masher until smooth

2) Place warm mashed potato in medium bowl. Stir in flour, salt and melted butter. Mix lightly until dough forms

3) On a well floured surface, knead the dough lightly. The dough will be sticky. Use a floured rolling pin to flatten into a 9 inch circle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into quarters using a floured knife

4) Sprinkle a little flour into the base of the skillet and cook the farls for 3 minutes on each side or until evenly browned. Season with a little salt and serve straight away

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

traditional irish soda bread

Top 'o the mornin' to ya and Happy St. Patricks Day! Being half Irish, I'd like to share a little bit of my heritage with you! There are many traditional Irish foods, but nothing beats a delicious, warm buttermilk soda bread!

 Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a large baking sheet

2) In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf

3) Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

table for 2 lasagna

This quick and easy recipe will be sure to spice up a romantic dinner for two ;)

 * prep: 20 mins

    total: 55 mins

    makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley OR 1 tbsp parsley flakes

6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5" loaf pan with cooking spray. Mix together ricotta, egg, parmesan and parsley

2) Trim the noodles to fit loaf pan; reserve trimmings. Place 2 of the noodles in bottom of prepared pan, cover with a layer of 1/4 spaghetti sauce, 1/4 ricotta and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Repeat all layers 2 or more times. Top with layers of reserved noodle trimmings, remaining sauce, ricotta mixture and mozzarella

3) Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 5 mins before cutting into slices to serve

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky

low fat quick and easy chili

This recipe is great when you're looking for something hearty and you're in a hurry!

* prep: 5 minutes
   total time: 20 minutes
   makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1 tsp chili powder
1 can (15 oz) no salt added kidney beans, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 cup thick and chunky salsa
1/2 cup 2% milk shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup reduced fat or light sour cream

Directions:

1) Brown meat with chili powder in large skillet on med - high heat

2) Stir in beans, tomatoes and salsa. Bring to boil. Cover; simmer on med - high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally

3) Serve topped with cheese and sour cream

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky



sloppy joe mac 'n cheese

Another favourite comfort food of mine. Being a college kid, I live off of Kraft Dinner, but it tends to get boring if you eat it the same way all the time. This is a little variation I've stumbled upon and tailored a bit to make it suit my tastes better.

Ingredients:


1 package of ground beef
1 package of Kraft Dinner
2 cups of water
1/2 cup Kraft Original BBQ sauce (or whatever brand you prefer)
1 cup tomato sauce (I substitute ketchup when I don't have any)
optional 2 cups shredded lettuce
optional 2 chopped tomatoes
optional hot sauce to taste
optional sour cream to taste


Directions:


1) Brown the meat in a large skillet on med - high heat then drain


2) Add macaroni, water and BBQ sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med. Cover, simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally


3) Stir in cheese packet and tomato sauce. Cook until it's heated through. Sprinkle with lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce and sour cream on top to taste. Serve immediately

OR

1) Repeat step one as above


2) Prepare Kraft Dinner as directed on the package


3) Stir in the remaining ingredients, cooking until it's heated through. Sprinkle with lettuce, tomatoes, hot sauce and sour cream on top to taste. Serve immediately.

Bon appétit!

xo
Lucky