Monday, March 14, 2011

Corned Beef and Cabbage and a Mystery!

I had a  very hard time writing this post, because the words weren't coming, and my mind is on the victims and families of the horrific disasters that have happened in Japan. How can I write about a happy holiday here, when I can't even imagine what it is like in Japan at this moment. My heart and prayers go out to the people of Japan.  I have a widget at the top left of my page, if you want to donate.  Thank you!  I just feel so helpless, and want to contribute in a small way.

We always make a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner around St. Patrick's Day, so we made one yesterday. I am usually able to find low sodium corned beef, but not this year.  I had to settle for the regular corned beef, with all of that sodium, so I only bought a small piece, but is was very lean, except for the fat around the top, which I cut off.  We put the corned beef in a pot on the stove and simmered until tender We love carrots, so we put in a whole bag of carrots, red potatoes " B" size, and a small head of cabbage . This is Scott's plate, he likes cabbage, me not so much.
                                                     

Now, for the mystery.  What is in this glass?  It's green and has bubbles. You don't have to necessarily drink it  for St Patrick's Day, because it is green all of the time. You can buy this, it isn't something that you make. You might be showing your age if, you know what this is.  Give up?

It's Green River soda!!! I'm probably showing my age, but I can remember going to the corner drugstore, sitting at the soda fountain, and ordering a Green River. I could have ordered a Vanilla Coke, a Chocolate Coke, a Cherry Coke, or if your were really brave, you get a Suicide Coke.  A suicide coke was a mixture of all the flavors of Coke. For those of you who don't know about Green River soda,  it's even on Wikipedia!  What would we go without Google and Wikipedia?  According to Wikipedia, Green River Soda was first manufactured in 1919 by a brewery in Chicago, as a nonn-alcholic Prohibition drink.  Once Prohibition ended, Green River fell out of favor. It was later a soda  fountain drink in the 60's.  Maybe your parents had Green River Soda? It is now manufactured in Chicago The bottle is now plastic, and they even have a Diet version. It's a very limey drink, no wonder I like it.  If you can find it in your area, try it!  You might like it!

Back to the recipe:
Corned Beef and Cabbage

1 3 lb Corned Beef Brisket, preferably flat, cut spice packet was included
4 clove of garlic, smashed
1 med onion quartered
2 bay leaves
1 lb of whole carrots cut in chunks
1 lb of red potatoes, 'B" size
1 small head of cabbage, quartered

Place brisket in a pot with garlic, onion, bay leaves and content of spice packet.  Cover with water, bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer.  wait 5 min, and skim off foam. Continue simmering, until meat begins to get tender.  Add carrots and potatoes.  Continue simmering for 15 min, and then add cabbage.  Cook until cabbage is tender, approximately 15 min.  .

Slice meat and serve with vegetables.  Slainte!


12 comments:

  1. my feelings go out to japan as well.
    i have a few friends there, luckily theyre all doing okay, but having a hard time locating other family members/friends...


    anyway.
    they have chocolate soda?!
    oh weird... ive never heard of it !
    sounds delish.

    and this lime soda sounds amazing.. im gonna have to see if i can locate a bottle for myself.

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  2. It is horrible what happened in Japan. Having lived through a 7.2 earthquake in 99, I can not imagine being alive after above 8!

    I need to head over to Wiki now to learn about this. But the plate looks beautiful!

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  3. It's terrible about Japan, and the widget that you put on is a great idea, a good way to contribute a little for sure.

    The green river soda is very intriguing and your corned been & cabbage meal is excellent!

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  4. Great idea to put the widget, it is so sad, and almost hard to even take in fully. I love the green soda you found. Hoping you and your family have a great week.
    -Gina-

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  5. My heart is also breaking for the people of Japan. Thank you for taking the time to remind us to pause and reflect on all that has been lost. I have never heard of this green soda before, but what a great way to celebrate St. Pat's Day! Thanks for sharing your meal with me. This was a great way to end my Monday. I hope you have a safe and happy week!

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  6. Stephanie- I don't know if they still have chocolate coke. You might have to hunt down an old fashioned "soda fountain".

    Ilke-thank you for your kind words.

    Natasha-Thanks for your comments:)

    Gina- I just felt like I had to do something for the survivors. Have a great week yourself.

    Monet- I felt like putting the widget on my site was the least that I could do. Have a wonderful week.

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  7. We love our corned beef and cabbage in this house too! But I've never heard of Green River Soda. Might be because I am Canadian!

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  8. Thank you for posting the widget! Our thoughts and prayers are with Japan.

    Corned Beef and Cabbage - one of my faves for this time of the year! :)

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  9. I've never heard of Green River Soda! Where can you get it?!?!?!??! :D

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  10. Oh Becky sweet soul how great that you put the widget! I need that too!
    I already started packing some stuff for the red cross to be sent over there! It is just breaking my heart.

    Your meal looks beautiful and tasty!!!

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  11. I dread watching the news...the destruction of the recent earthquake is overwhelming. I wish we could do more...but $$$ will help.

    Love your Irish dinner...it looks marvelous~

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  12. The widget is a great idea. It just breaks my heart to think of the awful devastation.

    We love corned beef and cabbage as well. The soda though I've never heard of, my kids would have fun drinking that :o)

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