A new St. Patrick’s Day menu

Each year on St. Patrick’s Day you can celebrate your Irish heritage, whether or not you are even actually Irish. Preparing a mouthwatering Irish meal paired with a Guiness or Irish coffee is a delicious way to enjoy being Irish for a day and revel in all things green.

Invite your family, friends and neighbors over to enjoy this festive Irish feast.

Irish cheddar fondue

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

• 2 cups red-skinned potatoes, halved
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 cups small Brussels sprouts
• 2 apples, cored, cut into wedges
• 1 pound Irish cheddar cheese, grated
• 2-1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• At least 3/4 cup Irish stout (like Guinness)
• 6 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Steam potatoes, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts in a large pot until tender, about 15 minutes. Arrange vegetables and apples on a serving platter and reserve for dipping.
2. Combine cheese and flour in a bowl. Add Irish stout, apple juice and mustard to a large saucepot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add cheese mixture in increments, stirring continually until melted and smooth. If you like your fondue thinner, then add more stout. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Pour fondue into a fondue pot or into a fondue pot or slow-cooker and serve with steamed vegetables, apples and Irish soda bread for dipping.

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