quick clicks

recipes today articles

recipes today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Corned Beef and Kraut

A St. Patrick's Day Feast

By Donna Smith

is a little different from the rest – green beans and fresh corn are added, giving it more kid appeal.

Leftover corned beef can be used in a variety of ways. Shred the meat and cook it with diced potatoes and cooked cabbage to make a hash. Pot 'O Gold Soup is a creamy potato soup speckled with pieces of corned beef. The classic Rueben Sandwich combines leftover corned beef, rye bread and Swiss cheese.

Luck's on Your Sides

If corned beef is not a family favorite, don't worry. Side dishes easily can be prepared to stay with the green theme that will complement any main dish you would like to serve. Mashed potatoes are wonderful with fresh or frozen spinach, collard greens or kale mixed in. Make the mashed potatoes as you normally would, and simply stir the cooked greens into the potatoes. Not only are they pretty to look at, but they are much healthier as well. Serve them with fried chicken (you can add a little parsley to the batter to add a touch of green), grilled pork chops, chicken nuggets or grilled chicken breasts.

Don't think your kids will fall for spinach hidden in the potatoes? Pick a green vegetable – any green egetable. Brussels sprouts, steamed cabbage, asparagus, bok choy and green beans would all work. What could be more appropriate than serving a big bowl of steamed green beans on St. Patrick's Day? If your kids don't like any green vegetables, try jazzing up another vegetable by adding a little green food coloring to our Mousseline Sauce. Drizzle the green sauce over the vegetables and sprinkle on a little parsley.

Want to see more?

• Be Good to Your Valentine: Foods That Say "I Love You"
• Someone's in the Kitchen with Mommy: Cooking with Children
• Cooking with Kids: Fun Food Ideas to Make with Your Kids
• St. Patrick's Day the Preschool Way: Throw an Irish Bash with Your Children
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!