Corned Beef & Cabbage

I haven't posted in a while and I am going to blame it all on the wedding (19 more days to go!)  However I think I have everything ready as far as wedding stuff.  It is amazing at how much extra time I feel like I have now!!

That being said my blog can go on.........

I adore My Mister with all my heart and I do for many different reasons.  

Here is reason 45386 on why I love that man.

He completely understands that sometimes his girls just need some delicious hot dogs.  And fettuccine. And (the most delicious) Italian beef.  And a cup of catsup (if your name is Clara that is all you like to eat.)  On Sunday, out of the blue, he threw us all in the car and took up to Portillos to have a very fancy and delicious lunch!  After we were good and fed we headed out to the point for some Sunday Funday relaxation with this gorgeous weather we are having around these parts. 

Indiana!

The girls are channeling their inner Titanic.

Trying to take Clara down by the water.........

However she inherited her fathers sense of adventure and preferred the safety of the rocks.

Rhiannon, on the other hand, was more then happy to jump from rock to rock.

Me and My Girlies......

Corned Beef and Cabbage

MMMMMMM Tasty!!!!  I decided to try my hand at making corned beef this year.  I always love eating it but was somehow under the impression that it would be really hard to make.  Wrong!  It is easy as pie.  It took me about three 1/2 hrs so make sure you start early in the afternoon!!!!

• 3 lb beef brisket (mine came with a spice packet.  I don't know if this is normal or if it is just because St. Patrick's day is a week away.) 
• 1 head of cabbage cut however you like it
• 5-6 potatoes quartered  
• 1 bag of carrots cut however you like them
• 2 onions cut however you like them
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 garlic cloves
• beef bouillon

1. Take your meat, spice packet, and bay leaves and put them in a deep pot.  (I used my stock pot)  
2. Crush your garlic (Pictures of how to do that) and throw that in the pot too.  Since you are going to be cooking this all for quite some time I saw no need to mince the garlic.
3. Cover all of this with water and add some bouillon.  I just eyed this.  The beef is already salty so next time I don't think I am even going to add this.
4. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and let it simmer for a good 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
5. In the meantime, cut up all of your vegetables.  
6. Once your beef is good and tender throw all of your vegetables in the pot and let it cook for about 15-30 minutes more, or until they are tender.

That is it, folks.  You literally throw it in a large pot and boil it for hours.  I have also read that this can be made in the crock pot.  If you prefer doing it that way you should put steps 1 - 3 in the crock and set on high for 3 1/2 hrs.  Then add your vegetables for another 2 - 3 hours.  Easy peasy.

If you do end up making this make sure you sleep in separate rooms!  The Mister fell asleep on the couch tonight and that is exactly where I am leaving him!

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's day?