Tonight we celebrated St. Patty’s Day in a low key fashion at home. While I enjoyed leaving “Leprechaun Treats” out for my family in the morning to start their day, and leprechaun footprints in the LOs room*, I also enjoyed creating a non-traditional “green” cocktail, green salad, and Irish dessert to celebrate the holiday and the weekend.
*I used paper “footprints” in our LOs room that led her to a little “treasure”. However, if you are feeling adventurous, you can do the same with paint. Simply make a fist, and paint the exterior side with green paint. Place your fist on desired surfaces, and add a few dots for toes.
Cucumber Mint-Tini
What you need:
-vodka
-ice
-cucumber mint lemonade
-St. Germain liqueur
-fresh basil
-small shamrock leaf (yes, they are edible if you want to eat it)
Directions:
- In a shaker, muddle fresh basil.
- Next, add ice, about 3 shots of vodka (for 2 drinks), and 1/2 a shot of St. Germain liqueur.
- Shake until the vodka is well chilled.
- Fill a martini glass about 1/3 of the way with the liquor concoction.
- Pour the cucumber mint lemonade into the glass.
- Gently stir the drink so that it is well blended.
- Strain and pour the cocktail into a glass, and garnish with a washed shamrock leaf.
- Serve and enjoy!
***This cocktail creation came out very good, however the cucumber flavor was very strong. Next time I make this, I may skip the lemonade and muddle fresh cucumber and mint as well as the basil, and top off with a splash of regular lemonade.***
Since we are observing Lent, and missed the memo on the dispensation today to eat meat, we opted for a very non-traditional veggie pizza. As a side, I made a pesto pea salad. This easy recipe requires three ingredients, and takes about 5 minutes to put together.
Pesto Pea Salad
What you need:
-frozen peas
-mixed greens salad
-pesto
Directions:
- Wash and dry your mixed greens and set to the side.
- In a small pan, cook your frozen peas.
- When they are done, drain, rinse with cold water, and rinse again.
- In a bowl, mix missed greens, pesto, and peas.
After dinner, we finished out low-key St. Patrick’s Day celebration at home with an adult dessert – Bailey’s Dark Chocolate Mousse. This dessert is also extremely easy to put together, and tastes as though you spent hours.
Bailey’s Dark Chocolate Mousse
What you need:
-Bailey’s liqueur
-milk
-instant mousse mix
-Thin Mint cookies
Directions:
- In a measuring cup, pour two shots of Bailey’s liqueur.
- Round out the needed 1 cup measure with milk.
- Pour into a bowl and whisk together with the instant mousse.
- In a separate bowl, crunch up the Thin Mint cookies, and sprinkle on top.
- Chill for at least an hour before serving.
