St. Patrick’s Day is this week, are you ready? My family has some awesome family traditions and memories centered around this holiday which fills our bellies with a traditional Irish fare. In the past, my mother-in-law typically prepared our feast while my husband and I were busy with our jobs and kids. She made it easy on us. “Just show up,” she always volunteered. This year, this tradition was left upon me, and thanks to Smart & Final, it was a breeze.
I had always planned to spend the day in the kitchen, one St. Patrick’s Day, so that my mother-in-law could show me how she prepared the day’s feast. Unfortunately, she passed almost two years ago now, and I still had not learned how to prepare a traditional corned beef and cabbage. With my sights on planning the St. Patrick’s Day, she always prepared, and in partnership with Smart & Final, I headed on over to my local store to pick up the fixings.
Thankfully, they had exactly what I needed. They truly make life easier for me. I only have time to shop between my kids’ drop-off and pick-up schedules with their after-school activities, so Smart & Final is really one trip and that’s it. I’m able to grab everything I need and am back on my mom-uber route.
When I walked into my local Smart & Final, the first endcap I spotted had refrigerated goods. And Amazingly, the featured item was their very own First Street branded corned beef brisket. Better yet, it was on sale at $3.98 per pound! I snagged a package that contained a weight I thought would be good for a family of four, and then headed off to the freezer section, on the hunt for crinkle-cut carrots.
I also stopped by the produce section for a bag of potatoes and an onion and I was ready to head to the checkout.
At home, I was nervous about preparing dinner, until I looked at the packaging. The directions were right on the front. All I needed to do was open the corned beef brisket package, dump the contents into a slow cooker, add a little water to cover the meat and cook it on low for 10-12 hours. Once that was done, I headed off to my son’s doubleheader baseball games.
As soon as we opened the door upon our return, we were greeted with the aroma of deliciously cooked corned beef brisket. Next, I really didn’t know what to do with the carrots and potatoes, so I just totally winged it.
I boiled a large pot of water and added some beef bullion cubes. I dumped about half of the bag of carrots and 3/4 of an onion and brought it to a boil. Then I simmered it for about 10 minutes before I strained out the carrots and onion and dumped them in with the corned beef.
With the same pot of water, I dumped the cut-up cabbage and steamed/simmered it for about 10 minutes. I plated everything and called everyone in to eat.
I have to say, I think I did my mother-in-law proud. She would have loved to be here when I finally had the opportunity to create this dish for the family. It was also a great way to celebrate her, on what would have been her 80th birthday.
Have you had a chance to pick up the fixings to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or any upcoming holiday? They certainly have everything you need to entertain. Additionally, if you’re on an ultra-tight schedule like we are, check their freezer aisles for quick dinner options. March is Frozen Foods Month at Smart & Final. I’d love to see what quick and easy dinners you’re able to create.
