In a large pot put  1/2 cup water, with 2 Tbsp butter and  chopped cabbage.  Cook on  medium low until  tender,  Mean time scrub  the potatoes,     but holes in them, wrap in foil and bake until soft.  When the cabbage and potatoes are done, scoop the inside of potatoes into the cabbage mixture.Cook 3 or 4 pieces of bacon and set aside. HEAT ABOUT 1/2 cup 1/2 and 1/2 cream and put 1 stick of butter in with the milk.  mash the potatoes cabbage adding the cream a little at a time.  Once the mashing is done, gently stir in the cooked bacon or ham. the scallions and garnish with parsley.Season to taste with salt and pepper.  There you have it. ENJOY !

No Irish party would be the same without Soda Bread which I'd actually never had before!  I know there are a million ways to make it and I really enjoyed the recipe that Lynn chose.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
2 Tbsp caraway seeds, optional
1 cup raisins
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and set the rack to the middle level.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt and mix well.

Add the butter and rub in until the butter disappears into the dry ingredients. Stir in the caraway seeds if using and the raisins.

In a smaller bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together and mix into the dough mixture.

Flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it.  Fold the dough over several times to cover it with flour and then shape into a round loaf.  Put the loaf onto a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan and cover with parchment paper or foil.  Cut a cross in the top.  Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 350 and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.  The color should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.

Cool on a rack and serve with plenty of sweet butter.


I'd like to thank all the ladies for making these fantastic dishes for dinner club.  Irish food is awesome!!