Go green for St Paddy's Day

Melissa Douse, Contributor

Whether you are Irish or not, Saint Patrick's Day is another great excuse to entertain, hang out with friends, and indulge in various beers, bourbons, whiskies and traditional meals such as corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, and stews.

St Patrick's Day (St Paddy's Day) is actually a cultural and religious holiday celebrated and named in honour of the patron saint of Ireland. The festival commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrates Irish heritage and culture.

St Patrick's Day has become one of the biggest holidays anywhere in the world, and everyone feels a little 'green' inside on this day. So with the 'luck O' the Irish' and today's tips, let's help you make tomorrow, from dawn to dusk, the best St Paddy's Day celebration ever!

1. Full breakfast

Start your day off right with a good hearty breakfast that is sure to see you through until lunchtime. Full Irish breakfast includes: bacon, sausages, eggs served with some boxty (Irish griddle cakes). Don't forget to throw in a few slices of soda bread, white pudding, and wash it all down with some 'lashings of tea'.

2. Go green

The great thing about this holiday is, you are free to go as subtle or as wild as you like.

If you're working on St Paddy's Day, incorporate a little green into your work attire. Try a green-striped polo or collared shirt, a green or shamrock-dotted tie. If you are out on this day an all-green T-shirt or one with an Irish-related saying such as 'Kiss me, I'm Irish!' will do.

Accessorise your outfits by adding buttons with Irish sayings as well as small shamrock pins. For those who are feeling particularly festive, try buying or making a leprechaun costume - white stockings, green top hat and red beard.

3. Main course and side dishes

On St Patrick's Day, it's only fitting to serve traditional Irish meals.

Suggested Irish main courses include corned beef and cabbage, Irish stews, beef stew and dumplings, beef and Guinness pie, shepherd's pie and crubeens. Side dishes include pea and coriander soup, stuffed cabbage rolls, colcannon, Irish champ and soda bread biscuits.

4. Desserts

Dessert options include lime poke cake, green velvet cake, scones, fruity Irish soda bread, Baileys Irish Liqueur cupcakes, apple and barley pudding, and bread and butter pudding.

5. Beverages

You can't say Irish or St Paddy's without having a 'pint of the black stuff' - Guinness. Guinness is considered Ireland's national drink and is known worldwide.

Other drink options include mead, Irish coffee, and mint schnapps shakes.

For additional tips, menu options and recipes visit www.mycraziefoodie.net.Any other questions, queries and comments email mycraziefoodie@gmail.com/lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.