Shamrock Shake

We love making shakes at our house. We had this fun treat for St. Patty's day, but it would be good anytime of the year. Yum!

approximately 5-6 cups vanilla ice cream
3 cups milk
1/4 t. mint flavoring
3-4 drops green food coloring

Top with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

Marshmallow Dip

My mom use to make this dip when I was growing up. I mixed some up to go with our fruit rainbow I made for St. Patrick's day breakfast. Delicious and looked like puffy clouds at the end of my rainbow creation.

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 small bottle marshmallow creme

Mix together and serve with fruit (sliced apples, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, grapes, blueberries, etc.)

Fresh Lime Avocado Fries w/ Mango Salsa

The mango salsa adds a refreshing taste to these yummy fries. This would be a fun appetizer for a St. Patrick's day "green" party, especially if you love avocados like I do.

Mango Salsa

1 mango, peeled and seeded

1 T. fresh cilantro

1 T. sliced green onions

1 T. sour cream

1-2 t. sugar, depending on the sweetness of the mango

1 T. orange juice

1 t. fresh lime juice

1/2 Serrano pepper (optional)

dash of pepper and sea salt

Place all ingredients in food processor or blender. Pulse until blended. Set aside.

Avocado Sticks
3 T. flour
1/4 t. kosher salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
zest of 1 lime
1 1/2 c. bread crumbs
2 large firm-ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced into 1/2 inch slices
canola oil for frying

In small bowl, mix together flour and salt.
In another small bowl whisk lime zest into eggs.
Place bread crumbs in a third bowl or zip loc bag.

In a deep fry pan, heat 1 1/2 inches of oil. Dredge each avocado slice in flour, then egg and bread crumbs. Place in hot oil. Fry for 30-60 seconds or until crisped and brown. Fry 4-6 at a time. Repeat. Remove to plate lined with paper towels. Serve while hot with Mango Salsa.

Blarney Stone Bars

1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 T. milk
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. english toffee bits
1/3 c. chopped pecans
4 drops green food coloring
3/4 c. vanilla frosting

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Fold in the toffee bits and pecans. Spread into greased 9 in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool. Add food coloring to frosting and spread over bars. Cut and serve.

Microwave Pot o' Gold Soup

I make this soup quite a bit. It's fast and yummy, especially on a cold evening. I decided to make it for St. Patty's Day dinner this year. After cooking it in the microwave, I poured it into a black pot to serve.

2 c. water
2 c. diced peeled potatoes
1/2 c. sliced carrots
1/2 c. diced celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can cream-style corn

Place water in a 2 quart microwave-safe dish; cover and heat until boiling. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, on high for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add soup, one soup can of water and corn. Cook on high 3 minutes.

Leprechaun Magic Mousse JELL-O

1 (3 oz.) pkg. lime JELL-O
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed

Add boiling water to JELL-O in large bowl; stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Whisk in Cool Whip until well blended. Pour into 6 dessert dishes or dessert bowl. Refrigerate 8 hours or until firm.

 

JELL-O Poke Cake

My mom use to make this cake and I've always loved it.

1 pkg. white cake mix
1 (3 oz.) pkg. JELL-O, any flavor
1 c. boiling water
1/2 c. cold water

Prepare cake mix as directed. Bake in a well greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Cool cake in pan 15 minutes. Then prick with utility fork 1/2 inch intervals. Dissolve JELL-O in boiling water then add cold water. Carefully pour over warm cake. Chill 3 to 4 hours. My mom topped it with Cool Whip. I got this pudding icing recipe from Jana Wilson M. and I really liked the cake spread with a layer of it before the Cool Whip.
Icing:
1 envelope Dream Whip
1 sm. pkg. instant pudding (any flavor)
1 1/2 c. cold milk

Mix all ingredients and beat until it thickens. Spread on cake. Spread a layer of Cool Whip.