Wish you were Irish? > JOAN KINGSBURY Staff Correspondent "March 17th is a big holiday for Irish-Americans and all those who wish, at least for one day, they were of Irish descent. Parades, corned beef and cabbage, and just good cheer highlight St. Patrick’s Day. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday. St. Patrick is Ire- land’s patron saint. College Misericordia’s “A Window on the World” series was completed for this year last Saturday by fea- turing a session on ‘The Irish.” Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the session included a folk tale and discussion on the land and people of Ireland by Kevin McGovern, Ph.D. award-winning Emerald Isle Dan- cers. According to Dr. McGovern, who has studied in Ireland, the Irish are truly lovers of a good story. Folk- lore and folk beliefs are an impor- tant part of their culture. Immi- grants brought some Irish superstitions with them to America. A horseshoe is hung over a door to keep the fairies out because fairies steal children. The Irish believe that if you anger the fairies, they will touch you and steal your wits; thus the term used today, ‘‘He is touched in the head.” Ireland is a country with an unhappy history. During the course of existence, Ireland has been invaded countless times. The Irish have a great respect for learning, religion, and wisdom. Although the Irish were a warlike people before the arrival of Christian missionar- ies, not one single missionary was killed because of their respect for knowledge. Geographically, Ireland is located on the west coast of England. It is 282 miles long at its longest point; its greatest width is 177 miles. The state of Pennsylvania is 1% times as large as Ireland. The weather in Ireland is rainy and foggy most of the time: Due to the Gulf ‘Stream, the temperature only reaches a low of 40-42 degrees in winter; in summer, it never gets hotter than 60 degrees. This rainy weather causes the grass to grow at an alarming rate, thus the nick- name ‘‘The Emerald Isle.” When it comes to preparing food, the Irish are simple cooks. Because of the hard existence they had to endure, the Irish diet was one of mainly potatoes, cabbage and bacon. Cooking was a necessary chore rather than an artistic cere- mony. Bread is a very important addi- tion to any Irish meal. Irish Soda Bread is a staple at breakfast, dinner and tea time. Made from flour, salt, baking soda and butter- milk, Irish Soda Bread is quick and easy to make. The dough is shaped into a round loaf and a cross is slashed across the top. Tradition says that you will never be hungry if a cross is drawn on the bread before baking it. Many Irishmen live on farms and raise their own food. Pigs are often raised giving the farmer and his family pork, spareribs, hams, sau- sages, and bacon. Sheep are raised near the Atlantic coast. Lamb is expensive to eat, but the wool is prized for its warmth in yarn making. Rather than eating chickens fre- quently, which are important for the eggs they produce, they are saved for Sundays and feast days. - Potatoes, cabbage, parsnips, tur- nips and parsley are popular vege- tables in Ireland because they are hearty and stand up well to frost as do carrots, beets and onions. Refrig- eration is not readily available in Ireland so foods must be able to withstand the climate. If you would like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year with a traditional dish, combine slab Irish foods bacon, cabbage and mashed pota- toes but if you like the Irish-Ameri- can tradition, try New England Corned Beef Dinner made popular by Irish immigrants who moved to that area of our country. (Note: Some information in this article was compiled by Mary E. Craft while pursuing her Gold in Girl Scouting.) IRISH SODA BREAD 2 ¢. all purpose flour 1% t. baking powder v, t. baking soda Vs t. salt 3 T. sugar 1 T. caraway seeds 15 ¢. seedless raisins 1 c. buttermilk Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar together. Add caraway seeds and raisins. Stir in buttermilk to make a soft dough. Knead dough lightly on a floured board, for about one minute, then shape into a round loaf and put it into an 8-inch greased round pan. Pat flour lightly over the top surface, then cut crosswise into the top. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until done. Bread should have a hollow sound when you tap it. For plain bread omit the caraway seeds and raisins. NEW ENGLAND CORNED BEEF DINNER 4-5 1b. corned beef brisket 1 clove garlic 2 whole cloves 10 whole black peppers 2 bay leaves 8 med. carrots, pared 8 med. potatoes, pared 8 med. onions, peeled 1 med. head cabbage, cut in 8 wedges 2 T. butter or margarine Chopped parsley Mustard sauce Wipe corn beef with damp paper towels. Place in large kettle; cover with cold water. Add garlic, cloves, black peppers and bay leaves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Skim surface, then simmer, covered, 3 to 4 hours or until meat is fork tender. Add carrots, potatoes and onions during last 25 minutes. Add cabbage until vegetables are tender. To serve: slice corned beef thinly across thegrain. Arrange on one side of serving platter. Place cab- bage wedges beside meat. Brush potatoes wiht butter, and place in serving dish; sprinkle with parsley. Arrange carrots and onions in another dish. Pass mustard sauce. Serves 8. MUSTARD SAUCE 1» ¢. mayonnaise or cooked salad dressing 1 t. chopped onion Ys ¢. prepared mustard Combine all’ ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate, covered until ready to use. Makes about 1 cup. Girl Scouts of Penn’s Woods Coun- cil are making known ‘The Cookies Are Here” ...now through March 19, which represents the delivery phase of the 1984 Cookie Sale. General Chairman Mrs. Charles F. Hensley of Wilkes-Barre said the Girls Scouts will be busy delivery those orders placed earlier this year and eager to meet any additional orders from the public. Varieties available in the tamily- size packages include the traditional shortbread (Scot-Teas), Coconut Creme Sandwich Coolies; Thin Mints; Savannahs (peanut butter sandwich = cookies); Hoedowns (chocolate covered peanut @ buer cookie); Kookaburras (chocolate cookie time and caramel cookie, almost like candy); and the all natural Cheddar Cheese ‘Snacking Crackers known as “‘Golden Yangles”. Mrs. Hensley stated that every volunteer effort is being put forth to reach all interested individuals and groups. Further information is available by writing or calling Council Offices, located at 10 South Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre. Cookie chairmen in the Back Mountain include Judy Crispell of Noxen and Jennie Metzgar of Shav- ertown. Public support of the 1984 Cookie Sale of Penn’s Woods Council is encouraged. 3 ¢. boiling water 6 Lipton Flo-Thur Tea Bags 6 T, Irish whiskey 6 t. sugar mintues. Remove tea bags. servings. Clifton, N.J. 07012. EA {wrest substitute for meat during Lent, try lentils. Combined with a grain, they are d good source of protein for anyone who is not eating meat, says Josephine Kotch, Extension Home Economist for Luzerne County. Proteins are made up of amino acids. There are 21 amino acids, but eight of them are essential, mean- ing our bodies cannot manufacture them from other sources. Meats have all of the essential amino acids. Other foods, such as cereals, breads, beans, peas and lentils, are incomplete proteins since they only have some of the essential amino acids. But, these foods can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle to give you all the amino acids you need to make a complete protein. These foods, when put together, are called complementary proteins. . Lentils and rice or whole wheat make a delicious complementary protein that can be substituted for meat if you're looking for something different to eat during Lent. For something unusual, try a spa- served over whole wheat spaghetti. To make the sauce, youw’ll need one cup of chopped onion, two cloves of minced garlic, two table- spoons of olive oil, one cup of dried lentils rinsed and picked over, two cups of water or vegetable broth, six ounces of tomato paste, four ounces of mushrooms drained, one- half teaspoon oregano, and one- fourth teaspoon each of basil and cayenne and salt to taste. In a saucepan, saute garlic and lentils and water; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 30 minutes or until lentils are tender. Simmer 10 minutes. Maks 3 cups. For additional Meatless Protein Stretching recipes write or call Pennsylvania State University erne County, 5 Water St., Court- house Annex, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18711, Phone 825-1701 or 459-0736, ext. 701. School Following are cafeteria menus from area school districts for the following week: WEST SIDE TECH March 19 - 23 MONDAY - Stuffed celery, wafer steak on seeded bun, cheese sticks, chips, chilled fruit, chocolate chip cookies, milk. TUESDAY - Wimpie on soft roll, spiced applesauce, buttered corn, Tech fudgies, milk. WEDNESDAY - Oval spice-cheese on bun, lettuce-tomato, vegetable soup- crackers, soft pretzels, milk. THURSDAY - Shells-meat sauce, tossed salad, choice of dressing, grated cheese, roll-butter, short- bread cookies, milk. cole slaw, chilled fruit juice, choco- late cream cupcake. milk. LAKE-LEHMAN SCHOOLS March 14 - 23 Junior High & Elementary WEDNESDAY - Tacos w-trim- mings, buttered corn, ice cream, milk. THURSDAY - Early dismissal, Chicken patti on bun w-relish, pudding, milk. FRIDAY - No school Teacher In- service. - MONDAY - Hamburg on bun, pickle chips, buttered corn, apple- sauce and cookies, milk. TUESDAY - Hot dog on bun, cheese squares, minestrone soup, saltines, peaches, milk. WEDNESDAY - Ham patti on bun, corn chips, green beans, frosted cake, milk. THURSDAY - Oven baked chicken, mashed potatoes w-gravy, peas-carrots, Parker House roll- butter, ice cream; milk. FRIDAY - Pizza or peanut butter- jelly sandwich, potato chips, carrot- celery sticks, fruit cup, milk. Senior High School WEDNESDAY - Hamburg gravy, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, Parker House roll-butter, jello, milk. : THURSDAY - Early dismissal-- Chef’s surprise. FRIDAY - No school. Teacher In- service. MONDAY - Hamburg or chicken or small salad, pears, milk. on bun, potato puffs, baked beans, peaches, milk. WEDNESDAY - Meatball hoagie, corn chips, green beans, pudding, milk. : THURSDAY - Oven baked chicken, mashed potatoes-gravy, peas-carrots, Parker House roll- butter, ice cream, milk. jelly sandwich, carrot-celery sticks, potato chips, fruit cup, milk. ‘About Your Medicines’ available A consumer’s guide publication is Orders for the book can be placed availa to Te public arom the with the Pennsylvania Pharmaceu- ennsylvania Pharmaceutical Asso- i iati i ciation, the statewide professional fea) Association, 30% Nort Third association of Pharmacists. Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17101. | ashion house LETRA S-A-V-E 20 % to 30 % OFF SUGG. RET. ON ENTIRE STOCK OF NEW SPRING MERCHANDISE 2 LAYAWAYS INVITED HOURS: DAILY 9:30 to 8:30 Saturday til 6; Sunday 12 to 5 (Across from Bishop Hoban) 200 S. Penna. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre open | VISA | ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF MARTHA’S BRIDAL & : As advertised in Seventeen Magazine, Prom Dresses plus many more. ® Graduation voile and organza fabrics. 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