Saint Patrick's Day History & Foods

•Sláinte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mná go deo

("Health to the men, and may the women live forever.")

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. It originated as a Catholic holiday and became an official feast day in the early 17th century. It has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Irish culture.

St Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland. True, he was not a born Irish. But he has become an integral part of the Irish heritage, mostly through
his service across Ireland of the 5th century. Patrick was born in the later half of the 4th century AD. There are differing views about the exact year and place of his birth. According to one school of opinion, he was born about 390 A.D., while the other school says it is about 373 AD. Again, his birth place is said to be in either Scotland or Roman England.
His real name was probably Maewyn Succat. Though Patricius was his Romanicized name, he was later came to be familiar as Patrick.
Patrick was the son of Calpurnius, a Roman-British army officer.
He was growing up as naturally as other kids in Britain. However, one day
a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped this boy
along with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland.
He was there for 6 years, mostly imprisoned.This was when changes came to him. He dreamed of having seen God.
Legend says, he was then dictated by God to escape with a getaway ship.Finally, he did escape and went to Britain. And then to France.There he joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. He spent around 12 years in training.And when he became a bishop he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God. The Confessio, Patrick's spiritual autobiography, is the most important document regarding this. It tells of a dream after his return to Britain,
in which one Victoricus delivered him a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish." So he set out for Ireland with the Pope's blessings. There he converted the Gaelic Irish, who were then mostly Pagans, to Christianity. He was confident in the Lord, he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. And, in a diplomatic fashion he brought gifts to a king here and a lawgiver there, but accepted none from any.
Indeed, Patrick was quite successful at winning converts.Through active preaching, he made important converts even among the royal families. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. For 20 years he had traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion.
He developed a native clergy, fostered the growth of monasticism, established dioceses, and held church councils. By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. There are many legends associated with St Patrick. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity which refers to the combination of
Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence its strong association with his day and name. Legend also has that, Saint Patrick had put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland. And he drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Ingredients:

·         8 allspice berries

·         1 teaspoon black peppercorns

·         2 medium bay leaves, crumbled

·         2 fresh thyme sprigs or about 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

·         1 corned beef, about 4 pounds

·         3 cups beef broth

·         Water

·         1 large onion, cut in 6 to 8 wedges

·         1 medium clove garlic, minced

·         2 1/2 to 3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed and quartered (peel if desired)

·         4 large carrots, halved and cut into 3-inch lengths

·         1 small head Savoy cabbage or green cabbage, cored and cut into 6 to 8 wedges

·         1 medium rutabaga, cut into 2-inch chunks,

Preparation:

Combine the allspice berries, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme in a bouquet garni bag, or fashion a small bag from a double piece of cheesecloth. Tie the bag tightly to keep the herbs and spices inside.

Put the corned beef in a 6- to 8-quart saucepan or Dutch oven; add beef broth and the bouquet garni bag. Add enough water to cover the corned beef brisket. Add garlic and onion. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the corned beef to a platter, cover with foil, and keep warm in a very low oven or warming drawer.

Skim fat from the broth and add the potatoes and carrots to the broth (remove some of the broth if there is too much liquid). Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes. Add cabbage wedges and continue cooking for about 20 minutes, or until cabbage and vegetables are tender. (If you add other vegetables, such as sliced or diced parsnips or rutabaga, add with the potatoes.) Slice the corned beef and serve with the vegetables. Sprinkle parsley over the potatoes and cabbage, if desired.
Serves 6.

Buttermilk Scones

Ingredients:

·         2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour

·         1 tablespoon sugar

·         1/4 teaspoon baking soda

·         2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

·         5 tablespoons shortening

·         3/4 cup buttermilk

Preparation:

Sift dry ingredients together. With a pastry cutter, cut in shortening. Add buttermilk and mix with a fork until moistened. Separate into 2 portions. Roll each portion into a round on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thick. Cut into triangle shapes. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes, or until nicely browned. Serve hot.
Makes about 1 dozen scones

As Saint Patrick's Day approaches the Drexelbrook Catering family wishes you the safest and healthiest of celebrations and this Irish Blessing:

"May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire."

After all, isn't everyone Irish on St Patty's Day. If you seek to host a St Patty's Day event, it is not to late to order some wonderful food from Drexelbrook Catering or utilize our online ordering service at our website http://www.drexelbrookcatering.com/