A bit of the Irish

Here at The Picaroon, we like to celebrate our Irish roots. First, comes the nontraditional but highly welcome, espresso to jet start the day (to help mellow the beer that is soon to come after :) ) This lovely cup of caffeine brought to you by:

Jet City Espresso
at the corner of 2nd and Main in the DTR

Next, Irish Soda Bread made by me wee little self this a.m. - just like the ancestors made it.

Lastly, the bit of "flair" for the day to make sure everyone knows not to pinch me, and that we Irish have always been known for our sense of humor.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Where to eat with your honey

Valentine's Day Jazz Brunch and a lovely Jazz Valentine's Day Dinner for two at A Terrible Beauty today. What a great way to tell your honey how you care by eating yummy food in a local haunt that has fast become my personal fav. Yum.

You may want to call first - you order off the menu for brunch which just opened at 9:00 am this morning and goes until 3pm. The classic Irish breakfast shown above is served without something called "spotted dick", but I think that you can handle not having that fried fat and blood on your plate in the morning, right?

The dinner tonight is filling up quickly - Couples dinner comes with choice of bottle of wine, champagne, or draft pitcher , soup or salad and an entree choice of prime rib, halibut or eggplant dinner with a decadent dessert for $50/per couple.

This place is open to you and the kidlets (or any of those who are under age) until 9pm when it becomes a hang for the adult crowd. Head on over - whether today with your honey or some other fine weekend. This is a place you don't want to miss!

A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub
201 Williams Ave. S.
in the DTR
(425) 227 - 3396

Irish Soda Bread

This is one of our family favorites. I make it throughout the year, but especially at this time of the year - can't deny those Irish roots! You know how I love to bake - I just had to share this with you. It isn't green, but its lovely.
Irish Soda Bread
2 cups flour
2 Tbs chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1 Tbs granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup buttermilk (if you don't have that, take the "fatest" milk you have and sour it with vinegar/lemon juice and let it sit for a minute)
1 large egg
1/3 cup dark raisins or zantes
2 tsp skim milk (this is only to make the tops shiny - not essential)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat baking pan with oil or use parchment paper. Using a pastry cutter or just your handy fingers, combine the butter,flour,sugar,baking powder and soda and salt, until well mixed and the butter is like small peas. In a small bowl combine your buttermilk and egg, which you then add to the flour mixture. Work until it forms a soft dough -again, don't be afraid to use your hands! On a slightly floured surface, sprinkle dough with the raisins and knead for 2 minutes. Divide dough in half and shape into a rounded loaf. Place loaves on the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross in the top of each loaf and brush with milk. Bake until golden, about 40 minutes.
Adapted from Healthy Meals recipe.