Tag saint patrick’s day

Top St. Patrick’s Day Events with Irish Food

Saint Patrick’s Day is only a few short days away. While you may not be Irish today, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day!” At least that’s what I’m told. For those who prefer to fly by the seat of their pants – leaving all weekend planning until 3pm Friday – AND those who like their calendar filled with color coded activities days in advance, this list is for you. We’ve rounded up the best food-filled events in Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Chicago this weekend!

It is the Feast of Saint Patrick, after all…

SEATTLE:
Brews & Bites – This beer-tasting cooking class has FUN written all over it. Hosted by Parties That Cook (what a coincidence!) and Hilliard’s Beer, enjoy a flight of 5 beers sampled throughout the evening of hands-on cooking!

St. Patti’s Night Out – Join Teatro Zinzanni for a special night of deliciously festive food, Irish drink specials, Irish dancing, the usual comedy, and more!

COCHON 555 – This touring culinary competition finally hits Seattle! Celebrating five years of the 555 formula, (five chefs, five pigs, five winemakers) this sustainable farming event is not to be missed!

SAN FRANCISCO:
St. Patrick’s Celebration Lunch and Show – It doesn’t get more authentic than an Irish luncheon hosted by the United Irish Cultural Center! Better than be duped by any of these imposters.

Funcheap’s Shamrock Streat Bash – Afraid of committing to one type of Irish fare? You’re in luck! Dishes available at this food truck event run the gamut of Irish bites. If it’s corned, green or lucky, you’ll find it at the SoMa StrEat Food Park!

San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival – A parade sponsored by SF Irish pub, O’Reilly’s, Bailey’s and Guinness?! Welcome to Ireland. Expect plenty of Irish food, drinks, dancing and other cultural exhibits.

St. Patrick’s Day Party at The Irish Bank – Last, but not least on this long list of activities is the annual block party hosted by The Irish Bank. Warning: this pub will be swarmed with folks donning green. Dare to face the crowds for the first-come, first-served pub fare? If you like raging parties, this just might be the event for you.

PORTLAND:
Kell’s Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Festival – You can only expect great things from an Irish Restaurant & Pub hosting its own Saint Patty’s weekend festival. But just to give you an idea of what’s in store: think Irish dancers, pipers, folkers, drinks, live music, and FOOD!

Sellwood-Moreland’s 15th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Parade – You’re sure to find authentic Irish classics including corned beef and cabbage, corned beef sandwiches, shepherd’s pie, and Irish sausage rolls. Need I even mention the Guinness and Widmer Brewing favorites? Wait, did someone say parade?! I’m there.

St. Patrick’s Day at EastBurn – Not sure who Mike is, but he’ll be slinging his Famous Corned Beef & Colcannon for dinner Saturday and brunch Sunday. Word on the street is he always sells out, so shake off that Guinness hangover early Sunday and see what the buzz is about.

CHICAGO:
The Good Food Festival – Who isn’t interested in eating good food?! This festival gives you the opportunity to stop by and learn more about awesome local farmers while you do it.

Rockit Bar & Grill – Ok. So this listing isn’t all about St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s nothing wrong with a weekend of March Madness basketball viewing! They’re even throwing in live music, Irish drink specials, and “all things green”. I’d go just to see what that includes…

If you’re weekend is already booked, swing by Rockit Bar & Grill all next week for the 4th Annual Mac Madness. Each day features a uniquely cheesy Mac n Cheese dish. Yes.

Soda Bread at Beverly Bakery – We’re going to keep it simple with this one. If you’re looking for traditional Irish fare this weekend, check out Beverly Bakery. It doesn’t get more authentic than Irish soda bread.

Parties That Cook’s Saint Patrick’s Day Recipe: Grilled Broccolini and Ciabatta Bread Salad

It’s Friday, and what are you doing? “Working.” We know the deal. Plotting your escape from the office and the subsequent Saint Patrick’s Day madness under the guise of getting things done. (If you’re a legit celebrator, yes, the party starts a day early.) Before you head out to this weekend-long pub crawl in San Francisco, or any of these places in Chicago, maybe this reconstructed pub crawl in Seattle, or even this traditional pub crawl in Portland, prepare for battle by loading up on bread-y goodness. This absolutely delicious Salad of Grilled Broccolini and Ciabatta will have you feeling the luck of the Irish all day. It even comes complete with pot-o-gold raisins!

For those looking for events not primarily about the booze this weekend, not to worry. You will still enjoy this hearty bread salad featuring plenty of greens! For an extra dose of themed events, check out:  San Francisco | Chicago | Seattle | Portland

Salad of Grilled Broccolini and Ciabatta Bread with Pickled Shallots and Golden Raisins

This recipe can also be found in our Soups, Salads and Pastas Section!

Ingredients

Pickled Shallots:

1/2 cup dry sherry

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/4 cup agave nectar

4 large shallots, thinly sliced

1/2 cup golden raisins

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Vinaigrette:

2 Meyer lemons, zested and juiced (can substitute regular lemons)

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup olive oil

Grilled Broccolini Salad:

2 lbs. broccolini, stems trimmed

1 lb. ciabatta, sliced 1/2-inch thick

Extra virgin olive oil for garnish

Meyer Lemon wedges for garnish (can sub regular lemon)

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Methods/Steps

Prepare Pickling Liquid: In a small saucepan, combine the sherry, vinegar and agave syrup and bring to a boil.

Slice Shallots: Place the thinly sliced shallots in a small heatproof bowl. Add the raisins, chopped thyme, salt and the hot pickling liquid. Cover the bowl with plastic and set aside.

Make Vinaigrette: Combine lemon zest, juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the olive oil.

Grill Broccolini: Heat a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat. On a sheet pan, toss the broccolini with half of the vinaigrette. Working in batches, grill the broccoli over moderate heat, turning, until lightly charred and barely tender, 5 minutes. Transfer the broccolini to a bowl, cover with foil and let steam for 5 minutes.

Grill Ciabatta: Lay the bread slices on a sheet pan and brush both sides generously with the rest of the vinaigrette. Grill the ciabatta over moderate heat until crisp, 1 minute. Cut the ciabatta into 1-inch cubes. Place back onto the sheet pan until ready to serve.

Serve: Lay out all first course plates in a single layer. Divide the grilled bread evenly among the plates. Top with the broccolini. Drain the raisins and shallots. Scatter the raisins and shallots over the broccolini. Garnish each plate with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a lemon wedge and toasted pine nuts. Wipe plate rim and serve.

Serves/Makes

Serves 16

Recipe adapted by Parties That Cook® from Food and Wine Magazine June 2011.