What Can A Vegetarian Eat on St. Paddy's Day?

photo from www.squidoo.com

Years ago, when I was married, my husband's birthday was two days before St. Patrick's Day.  I invited the whole family over for dinner each year to celebrate. Thinking I could kill two birds with one stone, I always served the traditional St. Paddy's Day meal: corned beef, cabbage and potatoes.

It's a pretty simple meal to make. You basically put everything in one big pot on the stove and forget it.  Well, that's not all that's involved but you get the idea.  I wasn't about to eat the corned beef but I really didn't mind preparing it.  It was an act of love for my husband and also for my brother-in-law, a full-blooded Irishman.  He loved my corned beef and cabbage and I always sent him home with plenty of left-overs.

Year after year, I faithfully served corned beef, cabbage and potatoes for my husband's birthday dinner . One time in particular, we were gathered at the table, everyone oohing and aahing over the meal (I was enjoying a simple dish of boiled potatoes and cabbage I had cooked up separately). The corned beef was tender, the potatoes and cabbage were perfect. My attempt at homemade soda bread was a complete success and my brother-in-law said no one would ever guess I was not Irish. I glanced over at my husband for a nod of approval. He just glared at me and cleared his throat.

"You know, I really hate this meal," he said.

We all stared at him in horror.

"I hate it, " he continued. "I never liked corned beef and cabbage and I don't know why we have to have it every year on my birthday. Why can't you make a lasagna or something else Italian instead?"

No one said a word. I felt awful. I had never thought to ask my husband if he had any special requests in honor of his birthday.  I just assumed, because he'd never said a word otherwise (until now), that he loved my corned beef and cabbage as much as everyone else.

In the years that followed, we celebrated his birthday Italian Style.  I invited everyone over on a different day for my famous Irish meal.

Lesson learned: Never assume. Always ask.

All that leads me to this:

What can a vegetarian/vegan eat on St. Paddy's Day?

Hearty Kale, Cabbage and Potato Soup. It's hearty, satisfying, easy to prepare and as it simmers on the stove, the whole house smells amazing. Serve it up with Irish Soda Bread.

Here's the recipe: Hearty Kale, Cabbage and Potato Soup

Enjoy.

Tuscan Polenta with Rosemary, Kale and Cannellini Beans

photo from ivillage.com

I've been told I have the strangest taste in food but just looking at this dish makes me hungry. This is delicious, simple, healing food at its best. The perfect dish for a chilly evening.

Kale.  Rich, vibrant, green, sturdy. Literally packed with vitamins and minerals.  A  hearty winter vegetable. I eat kale several times a week from September through March. I love to steam it lightly, or stir fry it with fresh garlic and onions. YUMMY.

Cannellini Beans. Pretty little cream-colored gems that are loaded with protein. Italians use these beans in so many dishes. Make sure you keep plenty of these beans in your pantry; dried or canned is fine. They are delicious. Toss them in everything: soups, casseroles, salads. Put them in a blender with fresh garlic, a bit of lemon juice and a dash or two of olive oil to make a quick delicious sandwich spread or a dip for fresh vegetables.

Polenta is coarse, Italian cornmeal. So rustic. Satisfying peasant food.

Rosemary.  A gorgeous green herb that I recently discovered grows wild all over Los Angeles. Rosemary is fragrant and earthy. Buy it fresh; never dried. Add it to soups, especially lentil soup. Mix it into your mashed potatoes and even potato salad. Sweet potatoes are divine when roasted with a few sprigs of rosemary.

This particular recipe calls for milk but you can make it VEGAN by using plain soy or almond milk instead.

Here's the recipe:
Tuscan Polenta with Rosemary, Kale and Cannellini Beans

Make Snacking Healthier with Kale Chips!

photo from Seventh Generation

If I had to choose only vegetable to eat for the rest of my life, it would definitely be KALE! It can be prepared so many different ways. You can even turn those gorgeous green leaves into delicious, nutritious Kale Chips!  Here's the recipe from Seventh Generation-- the recycled paper product people!

We Love Kale Chips

Try these instead of the usual greasy, unhealthy potato chips.  This is Cynfully Good snacking at it's best!