Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm not very Irish just a bit on my Dad's side. But my friend Kathleen, Cuisine Kathleen, is very Irish and is throwing a St. Patrick's Day Party and has even hired Mr. Linky to help host her event. Every one is welcome so please drop by and join the fun.

My camera is on it's last legs and green is not my favorite color. I drink Vodka Martinis with a twist and double olive and I'm taking a French Cooking Class. Trying to find a recipe that was unique but with an Irish accent was a problem for me. Of course I know Ireland is known for their Potatoes so I dug a little deeper and discovered where there's potatoes there's onions. So made some Sweet Onion Soup with Cream and served it in Potato Bread Bowls. And it was de-licious!!






Sweet Onion Soup with Cream
Recipe adapted from "not a clue"

2 Tsp cooking oil
2 Tbsp butter
8 c chopped yellow sweet onions about 6 large onions
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
1 TBL dried basil
1 c dry white wine
3 c chicken broth
3/4 c shredded swiss cheese
1 1/2 c half and half
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat oil and butter in large heavy-bottomed pot. Add onion, garlic, thyme and basil. On medium heat saute until onions are clear and beginning to caramelize, maybe 30 minutes or so.

Add wine, cook for 2 to 3 more minutes, until liquid is evaporated. Add 1 c of the broth, stir. Add remainder of broth and heat through.

Process in food processor in batches until smooth or use your stick blender and blend right in the pan. If you used a FP, put the soup back in pan. Add cream and cheese heat until cheese is thoroughly melted. Taste for salt and pepper.



Also I whipped up one of my favorite Vanilla Cupcake Recipes and added a few blueberries to the batter and a shot of Irish Cream. Made some Sprinkle's Cream Cheese Frosting and went to town with decorations. I think my cupcakes turned out so pretty. And I'm starting to like the color green.






Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe adapted from Sprinkle's Cupcakes

8 ounces cold cream cheese
1 stick butter, firm but not cold
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine butter, salt, and cream cheese in mixer and beat on medium speed 2-3 minutes. Add sugar until just incorporated. Don’t over mix. It should be thick but not fluffy. Add vanilla.






Happy St. Patrick's Day!



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