Corned Beef and Cabbage

Erin go Bragh!

Our dear Irish next-door neighbors, the Coleman's, would proclaim this every St. Patrick's Day, over our shared driveway, all throughout our childhood. As a first-generation French immigrant myself, at first I didn't really understand, but politely I waved with a smile nonetheless.  After all, they were (are) my best friends.

Now I get it.  God bless the Coleman's and the wonder to grow up next door to them.  Here's a shout out to them, and their Irish heritage in an attempt to make something I think they would relish.  I have made many meals for them over time, and they have made many more for me.  I am sure they would approve of this; super-authentic or not.

Erin go Bragh!

3 carrots, peeled, and sliced thickly
1 large sweet onion, peeled and sliced
2-1/2 to 3 lb prepared corned beef, one that you trust
2 cups beef broth

4-5 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 medium head cabbage, quartered, or sixthed

Preheat oven to 350F. Heat your largest green Dutch oven or pot with a bit of olive oil. Toss in the carrots and the onions and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Let the veggies soften and begin to brown.

Place the corned beef on top of the carrots and onions and add the broth and just enough water to barely cover the meat. Place in the oven and cook for about 3 hours. Check that there is enough water to just about cover the meat throughout the cooking.

Then add the potatoes and the cabbage, nestling around the meat. Cook another 45 minutes, or so, in the oven, until everything is just cooked through. Check the cabbage for the degree of doneness you like.

Remove the meat from the pot and slice on a cutting board.  Then remove the veggies from the broth as you serve. Serves as you prefer - dry or with broth.

Serves 6-8.

Cook's Note:  You can drain the meat, potatoes and cabbage and serve dry on a platter, as many do.  Or you can serve as the French (us) might do as in a French pot-au-feu, with all the broth.

Just be sure you get the corned beef from someone you trust.  I got mine from Trader Joe's and I find it wonderful - full of mustard seed and clove flavor, but relatively low in salt content.  Highly recommended.